My Genealogy Hound

F. A. BLACKMER, a retired business man residing in Benton Harbor, was born in the village of Richfield, Genesee County, Mich., on the 8th of October, 1849. His ancestors were early settlers of the Empire State, where his grandfather, John Blackmer, was born and reared, and from where he marched forth to the service of the Colonies during the War of the Revolution. The father of our subject, Horace Blackmer, was born in Ohio, but removed from that State in early life and settled in Genesee County, Mich. His wife was Calista Hurd, whose ancestors were originally from Germany.

Until thirteen years of age the subject of this sketch remained under the parental roof, devoting his attention alternately to attendance at the schools and to the aid of his father, who was a millwright. At the age of thirteen he shipped on a lake vessel as cabin boy, and for three years remained thus engaged during the summer seasons, while he continued his studies in the winter. Later, going to Saginaw, Mich., he learned the trade of a millwright, remaining in that city until 1864. Though only a lad of fifteen years at that time, he enlisted in the spring of 1864 in the United States army, becoming a member of Company A, Tenth Michigan Cavalry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged in Detroit.

We next find Mr. Blackmer in Philadelphia, a student in a dental college, where he remained for eighteen months. Thence he proceeded to East Lee, Mass., where he was employed in a paper-mill for five years. In 1876 he leased a paper-mill at Rochester, Mich., where for the ensuing five years he engaged in the manufacture of paper. Meantime he built the Wolverine Mill, located at Detroit, and this he conducted with success until 1884. Disposing of his interests there, he went to Chicago and engaged in the wholesale paper business in that city for a number of years, meeting with good success in the undertaking. In 1887 he removed to St. Joseph, where he established a paper-mill known as the Blackmer Paper-mill. After conducting it for six months he disposed of the business and came to Benton Harbor, of which he is now a resident.

In this village Mr. Blackmer became interested in the Benton Harbor Water Power Company, of which he became Hydraulic Engineer, having devoted considerable attention to that study while engaged in the manufacture of paper. In November, 1888, he removed to Watervliet, and, purchasing the water power of Messrs. Swain & Olney, developed and built a mill, which he subsequently sold to Messrs. Simmons & Dudley. In October, 1892, he returned to Benton Harbor, where he occupies a pleasant residence on Colfax Avenue.

Politically, he is a Democrat, unwavering in his adherence to that political organization. In May, 1886, he married Miss Minnie L., daughter of Chester Goddard, he being a native of New Hampshire, while she was born in Boston, Mass. In their religious connections Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer are identified with the Congregational Church and hold membership with that denomination in Benton Harbor.