Blaney, John Stewart

JOHN STEWART BLANEY.—It is only necessary to revert to the grandfathers of John S. Blaney, the prosperous and honored farmer of Hickory township, to trace his old-world origin to the Emerald Isle. The substantial and high position which the family has attained and maintained in the community for a third of a century is a fine illustration of what may be accomplished in a comparatively short time in the United States by the exercise of industry, keenness, broad intelligence and the wise exercise of natural gifts and acquired talents. James and Eliza (Templeton) Blaney, the parents of John S., were both natives of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, the former dying in 1876, at the age of seventy, and the latter in 1892, aged seventy-four. James Blaney spent his boyhood days in Armstrong county, assisting to clear the forest growth from the home farm, cultivating the land and otherwise aiding in family affairs until he was in a position to marry and establish a household of his own. After his marriage to Miss Templeton he purchased land in Butler county, built a log cabin, and repeated the task of clearing it of timber and fashioning it into a comfortable homestead. In 1871 he erected a modern frame residence, but the following year removed to Hickory township, where he spent the remaining years of his life as a farmer and a raiser of live-stock. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James Blaney, three of whom died young, while four of each sex reached maturity.

John S. Blaney, of this sketch, was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of November, 1847, spending his boyhood years at home, working on the farm and acquiring an education. At his father's death in March, 1876, he engaged in farming for himself, making a specialty of the breeding of superior live-stock. On his place is also a fine orchard of peaches, apples and cherries, so that his time is fully and profitably occupied.

On March 8, 1876, Mr. Blaney wedded Miss Mary A. Stevens, who was born in Pymatuning township, this county, June 4, 1854, daughter of John and Sarah J. (Bust) Stevens. Her father, a well known farmer and carpenter, was born in the same township, April 10, 1824, while her mother was born June 7, 1827, both being deceased. The grandparents were John and Hannah (Madox) Stevens, the grandfather, who was a native of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, settling in Pymatuning township in 1813. He was also a carpenter and farmer. John, the father of Mrs. Blaney, was the fourth of nine children. He was reared in Pymatuning township, followed his father's occupations for about thirty years, and in 1884 purchased the homestead on the Sharpsville and Mercer road. John Stevens was a deeply respected citizen of Pymatuning and Hickory townships, being well known for his public services as supervisor and school director and for his faithful and broadly useful work covering a period of fifty-five years in the cause of Methodism. Until he located on his farm in Hickory township he attended the church at Clarksville, being afterward a member of the Sharpsville society. Thirty years of the half a century which he spent in this splendid Christian work was passed as superintendent of the Sunday school. In politics he was a Democrat. By his marriage to Miss Sarah Bust, in 1847, he became the father of seven children, of whom William Henry Stevens is now the only one living. He is a well known justice of the peace at Sharpsville.

Mr. and Mrs. John S. Blaney became the parents of the following nine children: James A., who died in infancy; Levi B.; John W., who married Miss Anna Spory and is the father of John Robert and George Henry and Gertrude Elizabeth, twins, born December 28, 1908; Minnie May, now Mrs. W. McGrath; Fannie Bell, who married Charles Fruit; Samuel W.; Sara E.; Mary L., and Lewis Mark Blaney. The father is a faithful member of the Methodist church.

The mother, Mrs. John S. Blaney, died at the family home in Hickory township, near Laments Corners, December 24, 1908. She was almost fifty-five years of age. The interment was in Riverside cemetery.