Mason W. Blaisdell, farmer, residing on section 16, Portland Township, and the
owner of 210 acres in the township, is a son of Daniel and Clarissa (Gardner),
Blaisdell, and was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., July 27, 1820. His father was a millwright, in connection with farming and lumbering, in the State of Vermont, and his mother was a native of the same
State. The issue of their union was three children,
two of whom are living. Mary is deceased. Caroline is the wife of Daniel F. Cole, a farmer residing
in Portland Township, this county.
Mr. Blaisdell is the youngest of his father's
family. He and his father came by river to Rock
Island, and walked to Portland Township, this
county, arriving at the residence of Horace Burk
June 15, 1836. His father made a claim of 160
acres on section 21, of Portland Township. Coming at that date in company with his father, Mr. B.,
as well as the latter, may be considered one of the
pioneer settlers of this county. His father made
improvements on his claim, and in the fall of 1837
the remainder of the family followed. In the tornado
which occurred in 1844, his father was considerably
bruised, and never fully recovered. He died on his
farm, Dec. 23, 1855, where the mother also died,
April 15, 1870. He was a man of energetic disposition, with a determination to establish a home for
himself and family, and faithfully labored for the
fulfillment of his desire. He held numerous offices
in the township.
Mr. Blaisdell purchased 40 acres of prairie land
and 33 of timber land in 1843, and subsequently
added to his landed interests until at one time he
had about 500 acres. He has given 80 acres to his son, Herbert P., 120 acres to his daughter, Anulet,
and 80 acres to Almeda, and now has 210 acres, located on sections 21, 16, 25 and 27. He has a fine
residence, good orchard, barns, fine running spring,
etc. He also runs a threshing-machine in seasons,
and has sawed wood for a number of years.
Mr. Blaisdell was united in marriage in Portland
Township, Dec. 5, 1844, to Miss Alzina Rowe. She
was a daughter of James and Mary A. Rowe, and
was born in Steuben Co., N. Y. The issue of their
union was three children, all born in Portland
Township, this county. Their record is as follows
Anulet was born April 14, 1847, and is the wife of
Ralph Smedley, a farmer of Portland Township;
Almeda was born July 31, 1855, and is the wife of
William C. Bryant, a farmer and dealer in stock at
Erie; Herbert P., born Sept. 13, 1852, is now a resident of La Vergne, Minn.
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