Through two decades Dr. Blanchard has engaged in the practice of medicine
in Marseilles and has won distinctive preferment as a representative of the
profession. His entire life has been passed in Illinois, his birth having
occurred in Brookfield township, LaSalle county, on the 30th of September,
1852. His parents were Psalter S. and Phoebe (Thorp) Blanchard. His father
was born near Rochester, New York, October 18, 1800, and was married in that
city to Miss Thorp, whose birth occurred June 14, 1816, and who was a
daughter of James Thorp, a native of Genesee county, Michigan, and a farmer
by occupation. Throughout his life Psalter S. Blanchard carried on
agricultural pursuits. He arrived in LaSalle county, Illinois, in 1847, and
purchased a farm on section 16, Brookfield township, devoting his energies
to its cultivation and improvement until his death, which occurred on the
14th of March, 1868. In his family were the following children: Adelaide L.,
Elizabeth, Emily, James S., Alba G., Achsah M., Milton E., Eunice L. and
David E., and all are living with the exception of Elizabeth and James.
Dr. Blanchard spent his boyhood days on his father's farm and early
became familiar with the work of the fields, following the plow and
performing other services incumbent upon those who engage in the tilling of
the soil. In 1869, however, he left home and went to Remington, Indiana,
where he was employed in a grain office. He was ambitious and energetic,
and, desiring to acquire a better education than had hitherto been
vouchsafed to him, he spent all his leisure time in study. In the winter of
1873-4 he engaged in teaching, and in 1875 joined his brother Alba in
conducting a drug store, which they purchased, in Cornell, Illinois. In
September of the same year Dr. Blanchard went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and
entered the Eclectic Medical College, where he pursued his studies for two
terms, after which he began the practice of medicine in Norway, LaSalle
county. There he remained until September, 1877, when he re-entered college,
and was graduated January 22, 1878. Immediately thereafter he went again to
Norway and remained there until June, 1880, when he came to Marseilles. He
has further perfected himself in his chosen calling by a post-graduate
course in the Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he pursued his studies
in 1893-4, and while there he was promoted as assistant to Professor
Adolphus in the clinical chair of gynecology. His professional connection
with Marseilles covers a period of twenty years, during which time he has
demonstrated his ability to cope successfully with all sorts of disease. His
superior skill and his devotion to the profession have won him a creditable
place in its ranks, and he enjoys the regard of those who, like himself, are
giving their energies to the healing art. His genial manner in the sick
room, as well as his skill and ability, makes his visits very desirable. He
is a member of the LaSalle County Medical Society and of the Illinois State
Medical Society, and is a surgeon of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
Railroad Company, — which position he has held ever since 1890.
All
his life he has manifested a deep interest in all that pertains to the
welfare of the community, withholding his support from no movement which
gives a net result in favor of human welfare. Accordingly he has also been
an active politician. A stanch Jeffersonian Democrat, in 1892 his party
rewarded his zeal and fidelity by electing him the coroner of this great
county, which office he filled with credit to the county and honor to
himself. He has also distinguished himself in the Masonic fraternity, having
held an office in Marseilles Lodge, No. 417, with the exception of one year,
for the past eighteen years. He has been elected worshipful master five
times, and now occupies the chair, for the fourth time, of excellent high
priest of Shabbona Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Ottawa. He is also thrice
illustrious master of Oriental Council. Royal and Select Masters, at Ottawa,
a member of Oriental Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret,
Chicago, and of Ottawa Commandery, No. 10. Knights Templar. In further
social connection with the fraternity he is also a member of Medinah Temple
of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Chicago. In
active philanthropic connection with the order he is also a life member and
a director of the Illinois Masonic Home for the Aged.
Locally he has
just completed one of the finest business blocks in the city of Marseilles
and now occupies it with a drug store and his offices.
On the 7th of
November, 1874, the Doctor was married to Miss Ella M. Bartlett, a daughter
of Charles E. and Maria S. (Virgil) Bartlett. She was born November 16,
1858, in Naperville, Illinois, and is now the mother of four children,
namely: Florence, who was born August 15, 1875; Vivian M., born October 18,
1877; Alfa M., born December 10, 1888; and John, born May 23, 1897.
In all his professional, political and domestic relations the Doctor has
manifested a trustworthy devotion and responsible skill, and so has won for
himself a name and fame envied by all.
Extracted 19 Dec 2018 by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois, published in 1900, volume 2, pages 584-586.
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