Grover Cleveland Blackburn Sr. (1888 - 1957)

Born 14 Sep 1888 in Lambsburg, Carroll, Virginia, United States

Ancestors

Died 12 Oct 1957 at age 69 in Lambsburg, Carroll, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Grover Cleveland Blackburn was born on 14 September 1888 in Lambsburg, Carroll, Virginia. He was the son of Levi Blackburn and Louisa Hawks^[1][2]. In the 1900 U. S. Federal Census, Grover lived with his parents and eight siblings on the their farm in Carroll County, Virginia^[3].

Grover's mother passed away in January 1902^[4]. His father remarried fifteen months later to Nealy Frances Puckett^[5].

In the 1910 U. S. Federal Census, Grover lived with his father, stepmother, and three siblings, on a farm in Carroll County, Virginia^[6].

On 25 May 1918, Grover was enlinsted into the U.S. Army. Two months later, on 26 July 1918, he shipped overseas from Newport News, Virginia aboard the transport SS Duca d'Aosta. During his service, he achieved the rank of Private First Class, and he served in Company B of the 59th Infantry. On 24 July 1919, eight months after the 11 November 1918 Armistice that officially ended World War 1, he began his return home, departing from from Brest, France aboard the U.S.S. Mount Vernon. His transport arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey a week later on 1 August 1919, and he was discharged on 7 August 1919^[7][8][9].

In the 1920 U. S. Federal Census, Grover lived with his father, stepmother, and one sibling, on a farm in Carroll County, Virginia^[10].

Later in 1920, Grover married Gladys Lenore Hawks (see research note re: Marriage). Gladys was born 14 September 1898 in Carroll County, Virginia to Lawrence David Hawks and Violet Matilda Cox. Gladys and Grover shared the same birth month and day - she was born exactly ten years after Grover^[11]. Grover and Gladys were 2nd cousins once removed. Grover's mother's father (Louisa Frances Hawks, Henry Hawks) and Gladys' father's father's father (Lawrence David Hawks, Orville Hawks, Nathaniel Hawks) were siblings, both children of Abraham Hawks and Elizabeth Payne.

In the 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Grover, his wife, four children, and his nephew Elmer (son of Grover's brother, Sanford), lived on rented farmland near Opequon, Frederick, Virginia (near Winchester)^[12].

In the 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Grover, his wife, and now five children, lived in their own home near Lambsburg, Carroll, Virginia^[13]. Living next door was Grover's wife's mother.

In the 1950 U.S. Federal Census, Grover and Gladys lived alone in a home near Fancy Gap, Carroll, Virginia^[14]. Grover's mother-in-law continued to live next door.

Grover and Gladys had at least five children together:

1. Jewel Gladys (Blackburn) Leontos b. 1921 d. 2002^[15][16][17]
2. Ophelia Lee (Blackburn) Sherman b. 1923 d. 2008^[18][19]
3. Venida M. (Blackburn) (Cecil) (Masden) O'Nan b. 1925 d. 2007^[20][21][22]
4. Grover Cleveland Blackburn Jr. b. 1928 d. 2001^[23]
5. Lenora Joy (Blackburn) (Nunley) Hauss possibly living^[24]

Grover was 69 years old when he passed away. He died on 12 October 1957 in Lambsburg, Carroll, Virginia^[25]. Grover is buried in Blue Ridge Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery located in Carroll County, Virginia^[26].

Research Notes

Marriage

A marriage record for Grover and Gladys has not yet been located. The following facts, however, can help infer when Grover and Gladys were married.

• Both Grover^[10] and Gladys^[27] were enumerated in the 1920 U.S. Federal Census in their parent's households, with marital status of "S". The enumerator visited their households on the 28th and 29th of January (respectively).
• In the 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Grover was enumerated with an age of 41 years, and Gladys was enumerated with an age of 31 years^[12].
• The 1930 U.S. Federal Census also indicates that Grover was 31 years old when he was first married, and that Gladys was 21 years old when she was first married^[12].
• Gladys is exactly ten years younger than Grover^[1][11].
• On their birthday in September 1920, Grover was 32 years old and Gladys was 22 years old.

From the above facts we can infer that Grover and Gladys were married in 1920, sometime between the enumeration of the 1920 U.S. Federal Census (29 January 1920) and their shared birthday (14 September 1930).

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5XH-KBL : 28 January 2020), DGS #4285119, Image #345, Line #4, Grover C. Blackburn, 1888.
2. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6CB-DBL : 24 December 2021), Grover Cleveland Blackburn, 1917-1918.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMFG-D9Y : 10 March 2022), Grover C Blacklaw in entry for Levi Blacklaw, 1900.
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 August 2020), memorial page for Francis Louisa Hawks Blackburn (22 Jan 1862–18 Jan 1902), Find A Grave: Memorial #97798909, Hawks Family Cemetery, Lambsburg, Carroll County, Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Pam Parsons Hollandsworth (contributor 47702066)
5. ↑ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRZS-9VN : 29 January 2020), Levi Blackburn, 1903.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPP6-BB8 : accessed 9 January 2023), Grover Blackburn in household of Levi Blackburn, Fancy Gap, Carroll, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 2, sheet 15A, family 288, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1624; FHL microfilm 1,375,637.
7. ↑ "United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP84-BVDJ : 3 September 2021), Grover Cleveland Blackburn, 7 Aug 1919; citing Military Service, NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985), various roll numbers.
8. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939 database on-line, requires paid subscription, except available free of charge in all NARA Research Rooms, including those in NARA regional archives and Presidential Libraries. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: 'Lists of Incoming Passengers, 1917-1938'. Textual records. 360 Boxes. NAI: 6234465. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985, Record Group 92. The National Archives at College Park, Maryland. 'Lists of Outgoing Passengers, 1917-1938'. Textual records. 255 Boxes. NAI: 6234477. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985, Record Group 92. The National Archives at College Park, Maryland. Ancestry Sharing Link Line #36, Grover C. Blackburn.
9. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939 database on-line, requires paid subscription, except available free of charge in all NARA Research Rooms, including those in NARA regional archives and Presidential Libraries. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. Original data: 'Lists of Incoming Passengers, 1917-1938'. Textual records. 360 Boxes. NAI: 6234465. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985, Record Group 92. The National Archives at College Park, Maryland. 'Lists of Outgoing Passengers, 1917-1938'. Textual records. 255 Boxes. NAI: 6234477. Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985, Record Group 92. The National Archives at College Park, Maryland. Ancestry Sharing Link Line #89, Grover C. Blackburn.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJFL-CC1 : 4 February 2021), Grover C Blackburn in entry for Levi Blackburn, 1920.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} "Virginia, Birth Certificates, 1912-1913," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBN-5YTB : 1 March 2021), Gladys Lenore Hawks, 14 Sep 1898; from Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : n.d.); citing , Carroll, Virginia, United States, certificate 16770, Library of Virginia, Richmond.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2} "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:C64T-33Z : accessed 9 January 2023), Grover C Blackburn, Opequon, Frederick, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 8, sheet 4B, line 87, family 92, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2444; FHL microfilm 2,342,178.
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRYN-1T1 : 8 January 2021), Grover C Blackburn, Fancy Gap Magisterial District, Carroll, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 18-3, sheet 5A, line 17, family 65, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
14. ↑ "United States Census, 1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XLP-YKYK : 10 October 2022), Grover C Blackburn, Fancy Gap, Carroll, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 18-3, sheet 10, line 11, family 67, Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group 29, Records of the Bureau of the Census; National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC.
15. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:C64T-BW2 : accessed 12 January 2023), Jewell G Blackburn in household of Grover C Blackburn, Opequon, Frederick, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 8, sheet 4B, line 89, family 92, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2444; FHL microfilm 2,342,178.
16. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRYN-1Y9 : 8 January 2021), Jewill Blackburn in household of Grover C Blackburn, Fancy Gap Magisterial District, Carroll, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 18-3, sheet 5A, line 19, family 65, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012.
17. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 Jan 2023), memorial page for Jewel Gladys Blackburn Leontos (18 Jun 1921–7 Feb 2002), Find A Grave: Memorial #64014420, Chestnut Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Lambsburg, Carroll County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Lane Bryant (contributor 47411098).
18. ↑ "North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VCQX-38B : 8 December 2014), Ophelia Lee Blackburn, ; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 9, p. 258, Surry, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
19. ↑ “Obituaries,” Holt & Holt Funeral Home (https://www.holtfh.com/obituary/3101132 : accessed 11 Jan 2023), Ophelia Sherman, died 26 Feb 2008.
20. ↑ "North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VCQX-363 : 8 December 2014), Blackburn, 23 Dec 1925; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 11, p. 722, Surry, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
21. ↑ "Virginia, Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVBB-YYTK : 20 February 2021), John Ripley Cecil and Venida Mae Blackburn, 07 Feb 1944; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing , Carroll, Virginia, United States, certificate 3834, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.
22. ↑ "Virginia, Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK9F-FW53 : 20 February 2021), Marvin H Masden and Venida M Blackburn, 23 Mar 1946; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing , Crewe, Virginia, United States, certificate 10222, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.
23. ↑ "North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VCQX-HX7 : 8 December 2014), Grover C Blackburn, 15 Apr 1928; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 14, p. 875a, Surry, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
24. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q28R-88T7 : 22 July 2021), James Oscar Nunley and Joy Blackburn, 13 Feb 1950; citing Mount Airy, Surry, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 1,878,414.
25. ↑ "Virginia, Death Certificates, 1912-1987," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVY2-RB9M : 16 August 2019), Grover Cleveland Blackburn, 12 Oct 1957; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing Lambsburg, Charles City, Virginia, United States, entry #, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.
26. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 10 Jan 2023), memorial page for Grover Cleveland Blackburn Sr. (14 Sep 1888–12 Oct 1957), Find A Grave: Memorial #97310736, Blue Ridge Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery, Carroll County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Pam Parsons Hollandsworth (contributor 47702066).
27. ↑ "United States Census, 1920", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJFL-FBD : 4 February 2021), Gladys S Hawks in entry for Violet M Hawks, 1920.