Obit: Blackman, Mary E. #2 (1856 - 1918)

Contact: Ann Stevens
Email: ann@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Blackman, Howard, Selves, Duge, Woodford, Rudeen, Colman

----Source: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/31/1918

Blackman, Mary Ellen (21 APR 1856 – 23 Oct 1918)

It is with a feeling of deep regret that we chronicle the death of Mrs. Mary Ellen Blackman, who died on Wednesday, Oct. 23rd, at her home on Pleasant Ridge. Mrs. Blackman was born on April 21, 1856, to Robert and Rachel Howard on the Ridge in the one-room log home of her parents. She was one of five children, the others being George Howard of the Ridge, Len Howard of Neillsville, John Howard of St. Paul, and Mrs. Ed. Selves of the Ridge. Mary Howard grew to young womanhood at the pioneer home of her parents, enduring with cheery manner all the hardships and privations attendant upon the early settlers of Grant Township. She was married to Sims E. Blackman on December 3, 1878, and they took up their residence on the family homestead which remained their home until death separated them. Mr. Blackman died July 8, 1900. Six children were born to them, and all of whom survive their parents. The children are Ralph, who lives at home; Lottie (Mrs. A.H. Duge) of Bunker Hill, Ind.; Evelyn (Mrs. Milo Woodford) of Stewart, Wyo.; Elgie, who is now fighting for his country in France; Sadie (Mrs. Gus. Rudeen) of Pine Bluff, Wyo.; and Clifford, who lives at home. There are four grandchildren – Elnora Duge, Daphne Blackman, and Mary and Elizabeth Rudeen.

Mrs. Blackman was an especially fine woman and one who commanded the respect and love of the entire community in which she spent her life. She was a Christian woman, being a member of the Methodist church and president of the Ladies Aid for several years. She was kindly and charitable in all her daily acts and her many years of residence in this county gave her a wide acquaintance in the entire neighborhood and the friends she won by her many splendid traits of character have remained true to her death. She was a member of the Macabee Lodge. Mrs. Blackman was especially missed by the Times when she went to Wyoming last winter to spend several months. For years she wrote the Pleasant Ridge news for this paper and the cheery smile which she brought to the office always reflected itself in the news of her neighbors which she wrote. She became afflicted with Bright’s disease over two years ago and this ailment ultimately caused her death. Mrs. Blackman was buried on Sunday afternoon, services being conducted by Rev. Colman at the family home. Only relatives of the deceased attended the funeral, owing to the prevalence of influenza, and the remains were laid to rest in the Grant Cemetery.