Chase County Kansas Obituaries
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Blackshire, Melissa A
EARLY SETTLER DIES
Mrs. J. R. Blackshire Passed Away
Last Friday Afternoon
CAME TO KANSAS 50 YEARS AGO
Had Lived in This County Over Forty
Years�Funeral Services Held
Sunday Afternoon Were
Largely Attended.
Mrs. J. R. Blackshire died at her home on Clover Cliff ranch Friday afternoon, February 4th. Death came after an illness of several weeks although Mrs. Blackshire had not been in good health for a long time. With her passing, Chase county losses one of its oldest residents and one of the best known women. Mrs. Blackshire was born Nov. 16, 1834. Her home was at Tarrington, Virginia.
She was married to Jacob Blackshire July 22nd, 1857. To this union were born five sons and one daughter, the oldest son and the daughter having proceeded her and her husband to the better world.
It was from Virginia that Mr. and Mrs Blackshire in 1861 �just a half century ago� moved west and came to Kansas. They came to Chase county and bought land in the Cottonwood valley. This is now a part of the Clover Cliff ranch which is widely known for its large fields of alfalfa and its cattle. In 1861, Mr. and Mrs. Blackshire again returned to their old home in West Virginia--then Virginia�where they remained until 1867. In that year, they again came to Kansas where they spent the rest of their life. Mr. and Mrs. Blackshire, their children and the Clover ranch have done much in the building up of Chase county.
Mr. Biackshire's death occured Nov. 10th, 1894. Since that time, Mrs. Blackshire has continued to live on the Clover Cliff ranch together with her sons and their families. The Four sons who survive her are Frank R. who lives in Colorado Springs, J Ray
of Middle creek and Earl and Harold who live on the ranch.
Mrs. Blackshire united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856. To this faith she remained true until death.
The funeral services were held at the home of her son, J. R. Blackshire, Sunday afternoon, Rev. E H Knepp of Elmdale preached the sermon and burial was made in Prairie Grove Cemetery. The funeral was attended by many. The sorrow which is caused by the death of this honored woman who has dwelt here longer than all of us, save a very few, is indeed felt by all.
Chase County Leader News, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, Feb 07 1911.