ROBERT BLUNT
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Mr. Blunt was born in the State of Kentucky in 1825. He came to Mason county,
Illinois, along with his parents in 1832. He married Miss Mary J. Trailor in
1846. This marriage took place at the residence of George Spears, of Menard
county, the Rev. H. P. Curry officiating. Miss Trailor was the daughter of Jesse
Trailor by his wife, formerly Miss Obedience Blankenship. This union was
fruitful of the following children: George, Frances Honley, wife of Robert
Honley, Miss Jennie, Eli H., Miss Mary O., and Miss Julia M. The father of these
died May 18th, 1866, with a pulmonary complaint. He continued a citizen of Mason
county from the time he came into it up to the time of his death. He made a
profession of religion and united with the Mount Zion Baptist church in its
constitution, and held a continued membership with this body the remainder of
his life, filling for a number of years the office of Deacon. He was a strong
missionary in principle, and did much for its various interests. He held a life
membership in the Bible Union Society. He was possessed of an uncommonly clear
judgment, fine tender feelings, and though very firm in his convictions and
actions, he was withal very courteous in his deportment and considerate of the
opinions and feelings of others. His mind was very fertile in mechanical
invention, which was manifested in the manufacture of such farm implements as
emergency suggested. Chief among these inventions was a wheat drill, patented
and improved since his death by his son George, and now known as the "Succor
Drill." This drill he invented simply for his own and his neighbors' use,
without any reference to a patent. Of course it was not at that time what it is
now, with its practical improvements, but it nevertheless did good work and met
the wants of the community. He also invented a two-horse corn planter about the
time Mr. Brown invented his, which did good work, and contained the slide
dropper now in use in several styles of machines. The screw dropper of the drill
and the slide dropper of the planter are exclusively the invention of Mr. Blunt,
and it is right and just to so leave it on record. Mr. George Blunt, after his
father's death, secured a patent-as already remarked, upon his father's wheat
drill, and has, at a great expense to himself, improved its practical adaptation
to the agricultural features of the West and its mechanical action, until it is
now without doubt the best drill offered to the industrious public. It has
runners instead of the old-fashioned fluke, and works trashy ground with ease
and well. The proprietor still contemplates making every possible improvement,
and also taking such measures as will bring this deservedly popular implement
properly and extensively before the people, and within easy reach of farmers in
general. Mr. George Blunt is now living on his father's old homestead. He was
married September 10th to Miss Alice E., daughter of William and Martha Phelps.
Mr. Phelps and family came into Mason county some twelve or fourteen years ago,
and is a well-to-do farmer of Crane Creek township. One child, an infant son,
George W., born August 21, 1874 blesses this marriage. Since the death of her
husband, Mrs. Blunt has located in Yallula, Menard county, for the purpose of
educating her minor children. Eli is now a student in Normal University,
Bloomington; Miss Jennie is engaged in teaching in Yallula, and George and Mrs.
Honley are residents of Mason county. The Blunt family are of Irish extraction.
Three brothers originally came to the United States from the Emerald Isle before
the independence of the States. Their names are now forgotten. One settled in
South Carolina, one in Maryland, and the other in New Hampshire. From those have
sprung about all in the United States bearing this name. One of the sons of the
one that settled in Maryland was named Levi. He moved from his native State to
Kentucky in an early day, where he raised a family. Their names are as follows:
Mrs. Rebecca Ernest, Thomas, Mrs. Lydia Nance (wife of John Nance), Laban,
Samuel and Richard. Thomas Blunt, George's grandfather, was born on Kent Island,
Maryland, before his father's removal to Kentucky. He was raised in Kentucky,
where he married Lina Alderson; he moved to Callaway county, Missouri, in 1830,
and to Mason county, Illinois, in 1832. He raised seven children: Alberry,
Robert, Mrs. Lydia (Henry L.) Samuels, Aaron, Levi, Hiram, and Thomas R. As a
family, the Blunts have been honest, upright and patriotic citizens. They were
warm supporters of the union cause during the late rebellion of the South.
Religiously they have always inclined toward the Baptist church, of which many
of them have been devout members. Thomas and his wife and their son Robert were
charter members of the first Baptist church organized in Mason county.
Maintained by Mason County Coordinator
Donna
Mayer