Jacob F. Blackwelder was born in Montgomery County, Illinois on December
     23, 1842, the son of Alfred and Joanna Scherrer Blackwelder, natives of 
     North Carolina. He was one of thirteen children, with of whom grew to mature
     years. Other than Jacob, his siblings coming to Kansas were Minerva, the
     wife of Robert Morrison, a Pratt County farmer; Harriet, the wife of Gideon
     Davis, also a Pratt County farmer; Samuel, also a farmer of that county.
          Jacob had to leave shcool at an early age because of failing eye sight.
     He assisted his father on the farm until his marrige to Sarah Rasor in Lithfield,
     Illinois in 1865. They came to Kansas in 1892 and lived on a farm in Gove township. 
     They had nine children: Samuel; Frank; Mary, the wife of George Releford;
     Layton, a farmer in Elm Mills township; Bertie; John; George; Alfred; Oscar.
          Jacob was a member of the school board in Isabel and the family were
     members of the Methodist Church.
          The Blackwelder farm and home came to be known as one of the model ones
     of the county. Besides the cereal grains raised, there were many fruit and 
     ornamental trees and from his wells of never-failing water his windmills kept
     a steady stream of water flowing to irrigate his garden and supply his 
     artificial fish pond, which was stocked with choice fish. He also raised
     Durham and red poll cattle. They lived in Pratt for a year, renting his farm
     to his son George and son-in-law George Relefore. He then bought a home in
     Isabel and in 1901, in partnership with a Mr. Knight, he embarked in the
     implement business, but later his son Frank took his place in the firm, 
     which was know as Knight and Blackwelder. He also owned an interest in a
     hardware and harness business, which was conducted by himself and two sons,
     Frank and John.
          The Jacob Blackwelders were numbered among the representative citizens
     of the locality and were loved and honored for their many noble characteristics.
              
     Source: Isabel, Kansas - The First 100 Years, 1887 - 1987,  pg. 45  
     
     Submitted by: Cecil Blackwelder