EDWARD A. BLADES. The farming class of America is notable for the degree of intelligence that is possessed among its representatives. Our subject belongs to one of the most progressive of families, and is proud of the fact that his father was one of those fast disappearing landmarks of a heroic past-an early pioneer. Mr. Blades was born in Monroe County, East Tennessee.
In 1830, but his parents, Edward and Ellen (Maner) Blades, were natives of North Carolina, where they grew to mature years and united their fortunes. From there they removed to Tennessee, and about 1836 came by ox-team to Greene County, Missouri, being about two months on the road. They located in the woods on the Pickerel, and there was but one house within a distance of five miles. Mr. Blades spent the rest of his life there engaged in cultivating the soil, and died about 1847. He was a great hunter and sportsman, etc., and a man well and favorably known for miles around. He was one of the pioneers of Greene County, settling there when Springfield was but a mere hamlet of log houses, and he contributed his full share toward the improvement and development of the county. He was of English origin. His wife died in Greene County in 1855. They were the parents of an old-fashioned family of fourteen children, as follows: Sally Ann, deceased; R. D., of Billings; Nancy, deceased; Isaac T., Cynthia, Edward A., Rebecca L., William, Elizabeth, James R., Frances, George Washington, and two died young.
Our subject was reared amid the rude surroundings of pioneer life, and to obtain a limited education was obliged to walk three miles to the primitive log school house where he was taught the three R’s. In the year 1851 he married Miss Margaret Batson, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Steven and Jane Batson, who came from Ohio to Greene County, Missouri, at an early date, and here passed the remainder of their lives, the father engaged in farming.
Eight children were born to our subject and wife, viz.: Ellen, deceased, was the wife of William Logan; Jane, wife of Charles Lane, of Lawrence County; James; Elizabeth Ann died young; Sarah P. died young; Martha E.; George Marion died young, and one whose name is unknown. Mr. Blades resided in Greene County until 1870, and then removed to his present farm near Crane Post office. He has added to the original tract from time to time until he now owns 19 acres of excellent land, and has much of it under cultivation. His wife, who was a worthy member of the Methodist Church, died in 1891. Mr. Blades also holds membership in that church. During the war Mr. Blades served a short time in the army. The Blades family is a numerous and well-known one in Greene and Christian Counties, and its members are prominent and well respected.