Hi Blanchard Rooters! I was recently at my local library, which has a rather eclectic geneology section, and came across a local book entitled "History of Manistee, Mason and Oceana [Michigan] Counties. The book was published in 1882 and has a section on prominent local people of that era. I found a couple of Blanchards and thought they might be of interest to some of you out there. I would, of course, treat this as you would any source of oral history as far as accuracy goes. Oceana Co., p. 133. "STEPHEN A. BLANCHARD, farmer, section 25. Born May 27, 1840, Holyoke, MA, and resided in Florence, Easthampton, Hadley Falls, and Springfield. At Springfield worked in the armory 3 years during the war. He removed to Iowa in 1868, remaining there until 1870, at which date he came into this state and purchased land from the railroad company. During his boyhood he had but limited educational advantages, being able to attend school only in Winters, and that only until he was 16 years of age. He married February 22, 1861, Wealthy J. BOLTEN, of South Hadley Falls, MA. They have 3 children, George G, Emily E. and Merwin O. They lost one son, George G., who died in 1862." Following this account, there is a bio of a Moses BOLTON,also an Oceana Co. farmer, born June 1, 1828 in South Wilbraham, MA, who moved to South Hadley Falls at age 15 and later lived in Springfield. He married in 1851 Augusta VINTON, and then later married Mary WELLS May 3, 1873. No relationship to Wealthy Bolton Blanchard, above, is stated, although I would guess there is a strong probability they are related. I have a couple more Blanchard pioneers which I will post later when I have the time. Maggie Gustafson