My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Knox County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

Asa Blanchard was born in Edgar County, Ill., August 17, 1832, and is a son of Horatio and Rebecca A. (Hannah) Blanchard, natives of Ohio, and born in 1806 and 1813, respectively. The father is now a resident of Illinois, but the mother died in that State in 1864. Our subject lived at home until twenty-three years of age, during which time he learned to operate a wool-carding machine, and also learned the trade of plastering, in which occupations he was engaged until 1864, when he enlisted in the Thirty-ninth Missouri Regiment, serving as first lieutenant from August 13, 1864, until March 21, 1865. He then went to Goodland, Knox Co., Mo., and engaged in the mercantile business, in the fall of 1865, in which he continued until the spring of 1868, at which time he had a large trade. In 1868, wishing to retire to a more quiet life, he sold his stock, and purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he at once began to improve, and where he has ever since resided, and has increased to 217 acres of good land, well cultivated and improved. August 4, 1861, he was married to Sarah E. Ausmus, daughter of Philip and Martha Ausmus, and to this marriage, one son— Edmond A., —has been born. Mr. Blanchard lost his first wife April 3, 1863, and March 17, 1867, was united in marriage to Mary E. Bradford, daughter of Stephen S. and Margaret J. Bradford. In politics he was a Democrat before the war, but since has become a Republican, and is now a strong Greenback supporter. He has been interested in political issues since he became of age, and always does a good day’s work at election times. He is a member of the Masonic order; himself and wife belong to the Christian Church, and are worthy and respected citizens of Knox County.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 204 biographies included in the Knox County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Knox County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Knox County, Missouri family biographies here: Knox County, Missouri Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.