Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Alexis David Blanchett
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
ALEXIS DAVID BLANCHETT, who owns
a fine farm of four hundred and forty
acres on sections 33 and 34, Union Township,
is numbered among the honored
pioneers of Dickinson County, where he has made
his home since the days of its early infancy. His
name is inseparably connected with its history,
and he well deserves representation in this
volume.
The Blanchett family was founded in America
by the great-grandfather of our subject, who with
Rochambeau fought in the Revolutionary War
under La Fayette. The father of our subject,
Alexis Blanchett, is a native of France. When
young he came to this country with his father,
who settled in St. Roche, Canada, on the south
side of the St. Lawrence River. Alexis Blanchett,
Sr., crossed over the mountains into Maine when
fourteen years of age, and there resided until 1851,
when he disposed of his property at a sacrifice and
removed to Illinois, locating near St. Anne, Kankakee
County. He there resided until his death,
which occurred January 29, 1876, at the age of
sixty years. His wife, who bore the maiden name
of Leocadia Wellett, was born on the 12th of
July, 1814, in Aroostook County, Me., and was a
daughter of Ferdinand Wellett, a native of the
Pine Tree State. She died at St. Anne, Ill., September
17, 1866.
The Blanchett family numbered fourteen children,
of whom eleven are still living. Alexis was
the second in order of birth, but his elder brother
died during infancy. The next younger, John R.,
resides in Brown County. Kan.; Mary is the wife
of Ed Beaubien, a resident of Wabaunsee County,
Kan.; Cyrus is living in Baraboo County, Wis.;
Clement is Professor of Languages in an Episcopal
College of New York City; Anna is the wife
of James McNaspy, a resident farmer of Union
Township, Dickinson County; Mrs. Philonisa
Frigon, a widow, resides in Indian Territory; Resina
is probably yet living, but his whereabouts
is unknown ; John Baptiste is also teaching in
New York City; William is a Professor in San
Mateo, Cal.
The subject of this sketch was a woodman in
Maine, and no matter how dense were the forests
in which he passed he never lost his way. From
an early age he worked out by the month until he
attained his majority. In the winter of 1858 he
went to Denver, Colo., on a prospecting tour, but
not liking that country returned to Leavenworth,
Kan., and from there came to Dickinson County.
He located his present farm December 16, 1859,
pre-empting one hundred and sixty acres of land
on section 34, Union Township, on Lyons Creek.
He was married February 15, 1864, the lady of his
choice being Miss Nancy Orcelia, daughter of
Heman and Sarah Deal, and a native of Lower
Canada. Her parents removed from that country
to Illinois, locating near Joliet, and afterward became
residents of Lincolnville, Kan. On coming
to the country, Mr. Blanchett built a log cabin, in
which he has since made his home, although he has
made many additions to it. The main part is 16x20
feet, to which he has made two additions, one
12x20, and the other 10x16 feet. He also built a
kitchen 16x16.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blanchett were born eight
children, five of whom are now living. Sarah Jane,
born November 22, 1864, is the wife of Charles
Nelson; Benjamin Franklin, born February 4, 1866,
accidentally shot himself when at a neighbor's,
and died September 16, 1884, at the age of nineteen
years; John Edward, born October 27, 1867,
died May 3, 1869; Anna Emma, born February 14,
1869, is engaged in dress-making in Herington;
Nettie Edna, born September 23, 1870; Laura
Mary, born November 20, 1872; Andrew, who died
at birth; and Celia Alice, born April 19, 1876.
There is also a granddaughter, Chastie Orcelia Nelson,
who was born August 20, 1888.
Mr. Blanchett, in his home farm has four hundred
and forty acres of valuable land, and he also
owns one hundred and twenty acres in Morris
County. He engages extensively in farming and
stock-raising and is now operating a creamery.
He is a successful business man, and by his sagacity
and good management has won a handsome property.
In politics he was a Republican until 1876,
when he joined the reform movement. He belongs
to the Alliance and is a member of the
Knights of Labor. He has experienced all the
hardships and privations of frontier life, having
come here when Indians were numerous in the
neighborhood and all kinds of wild game, including
antelopes and buffaloes, were very plentiful.
In fact, he hunted the latter for support. He has
witnessed the entire development of the county,
has aided in its upbuilding, and borne his part in
its advancement. He well deserves to be numbered
among its honored pioneers.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP