Huff Family Research

Person Page 512

Constance Marie Blatchley

F, #12777, born 9 May 1894, died 28 Nov 1964

Children with David Carleton Church (born 12 October 1884, died 2 February 1954)

Person Exhibits

Constance Marie Blatchley

Biography

  • All but 5 of the 42 first cousins had cancer.
  • Camptonville, Yuba County, California; Grandma taught Sunday School as long as I can remember.1
  • Constance Marie Blatchley was born on 9 May 1894 in Steele City, Jefferson County, Nebraska, Dr. Jefferies delivered her.

    Steele City -- Jefferson County

    The mill and dam built northe of Steel City after the railroad came through in 1873. [Jefferson County Historical Society]. Steele City, founded in 1873, was named for Dudley M. Steele, president of the St. Joseph & Denver City Railroad, which was built through Jefferson County the previous year. The new town replaced the earlier settlements of "Freeport" and of nearby "Jenkens Mill," which had harnessed the fall of the Little Blue River in 1867 to grind grain.

    Even before there were settlements, tens of thousands of pioneers passed up the natural road of the valley along the old Oregon Trail, bound for California and the Pacific Northwest, as did riders for the Pony Express, during its brief but colorful era. In 1860 explorer Sir Richard Burton, traveling this route, commented on the extreme beauty of the valley along the Little Blue. Rich in game, the area was a hunting ground for the Pawnee, Oto, and other Indian tribes.

    As a new railroad town, Steele City thrived, reaching a population of nearly 400 in 1890. Early settlers were from both Union and Confederate states. Good spring water flowed into public horse tanks, and people came from miles around -- even from Kansas -- to stock up on "the fine drinking water."

    Steele City's school, first to be organized in the county, was established in 1868, long before the town was thought of. A brick school building was erected in 1881, to accommodate the growing enrollment. Time and tides have changed all that. Currently, elementary enrollment is only about a dozen children.

    The first newspaper, "The Little Blue," begun at Jenkins Mill, was followed by Freeport's "Western Sun," and then the "Steele City Mail" in 1892. Early businesses included a pottery plant, a cheese factory, and a lime kiln, plus a full line of retail stores and professional people. For a brief time (1894-96) the name of the post office was changed to "Steelburg."

    The last doctor, Dr. I. N. Morgan, had his own hospital. Until his death in 1963, his osteopathic practice attracted patients from as far away as California.

    Over the years, Steele City churches served several denominations. The old limestone Baptist church, built in 1882, still survives as an historical landmark. The handsome red brick Presbyterian Church, built in 1920, currently houses the local congregation. Over the years, several lodges functioned as fraternal and social organizations. Today the Campbell-Klein Post 349 of the American Legion, its auxiliary, and Little Blue Belles Extension Club, are active. The Steele City Cemetery Association maintains the picturesque burial ground in the hills northeast of town, overlooking the valley.

    The town extends out onto the bottom lands near the river west of the railroad as well as up the hillside to the east. Flooding of the lower part of town is almost an annual occurrence, causing the inhabitants to move to higher ground until the water subsides. Then basements are pumped and soaked possessions are aired until dry.


    A number of old brick and stone buildings have survived from the 19th century. In addition to the stone church, the blacksmith shop and the bank are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings serve as museums, containing books, pictures, furniture, and implements used in the early years, and are open to visitors during the summer.

    -- By Mary Burwell Diller, 211 South 2nd Street, Steele City, NE 68440.
    http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/jefferson/steelecity/
    ------------------------------------
    It is said that she had 42 first cousins.2,3,4
  • As of 8 October 1921, her married name was Constance Marie Church.
  • She and David Carleton Church were married on 8 October 1921 in Billings, Yellowstone County, Montana.5,6,7,8
  • As of 21 October 1921, her married name was Constance Marie Church.
  • She and David Carleton Church were married on 21 October 1921.8
  • She and David Carleton Church were enumerated on the census of 1925 in Geneva Township, Franklin County, Iowa, with David Church, Junior, and Harriet Constance Church.6
  • Constance Marie Blatchley resided in Iowa on 31 December 1926.9
  • She and David Carleton Church were enumerated on the census of 1930 in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, with Cynthia Eudora Church, Harriet Constance Church, and David Church, Junior,.10
  • As of 28 December 1933, Constance Marie Blatchley was also known as Constance Marie Pfeiffer.
  • As of 28 December 1933, her married name was Constance Marie Pfiffer.
  • She resided in Camptonville, Yuba County, California, about 1935.11
  • She died on 28 November 1964, at age 70, in Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, Grandma Pfeiffer was living in a Nursing Home. At one time she shared a room with Mrs. Craze. Mrs. Craze was the mother of my favorite 5th or 6th grade Science teacher, Mr. Craze. I did what I thought was probably the best report on Aves -- birds and in particular the hummingbird for Mr. Craze's class.12,4
  • She was buried after 28 November 1964 in Camptonville, Yuba County, California.1

Citations

  1. [S9042] Notes collected by Jenny Rasmusson
  2. [S4631] Blatchley, Ione, Blatchley, Ione Correspondence recorded as Extract #6373
    Letter from Blatchley, Ione (Colorado) to Rasmusson, Jenny, 1969; Jenny Rasmusson Jenny Rasmusson (5189 W. Burntside Avenue South Jordan, UT 84009).
    ..Your mother [referring to Constance Church] was born at Steel City, Jefferrson Co., Nebraska. Her Dr. was Dr. Jefferies. Miles and I were born at the same, but Dr. Taylor
    offication.
  3. [S2777] Nebraska, 1900 federal census : soundex and population schedules
  4. [S9370] Camptonville Cemetery (http://www.yubaroots.com/cemetery/camtonvl.htm)
    X
    PFIFFER
    Constance M.
    9 May 1894
    28 Nov 1964
    died Nevada Co.
    4b
    120A
  5. [S5355] Recorded as Extract #7427 Interview with Virginia Cook (), by Joan Cook Rasmusson, between 1964 and 1980. ().
  6. [S9957] 1925 Iowa State Census
  7. [S10835] Montana Marriage records, 1881-1951 ; Index, 1881-1991
    Groom's Name: David C. Church
    Groom's Birth Date: 1884
    Groom's Birthplace: Hampton, Iowa
    Groom's Age: 37
    Bride's Name: Constance M. Blatchley
    Bride's Birth Date: 1894
    Bride's Birthplace: S...Rle City, Nebr.
    Bride's Age: 27
    Marriage Date: 08 Oct 1921
    Marriage Place: Billings, Yellowstone Co., Montana
    Groom's Father's Name: Walter A. Church
    Groom's Mother's Name: Sybil Norton
    Bride's Father's Name: Lincoln Blatchley
    Bride's Mother's Name: Deborah Quigley
    Groom's Race: White
    Groom's Marital Status: Divorced
    Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
    Bride's Race: White
    Bride's Marital Status: Single
    Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
    Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M02826-6
    System Origin: Montana-EASy
    Source Film Number: 1943760
    Reference Number: P 281 Cn 7961
    Collection: Montana Marriages, 1889-1947
  8. [S1892] Quigley Traveling Notebook
  9. [S1892] Quigley Traveling Notebook
    FORMER RESIDENT DIES
    Word was received last Saturday morning that mrs. Neilly, a former Hayes county resident had died at Kearney, Nebr., following a long illness and paralytic stroke, at the Kearney hospital.
    Mrs. Nielly was formerly Mrs. Deborah Blatchley, who with her husband, A. L. Blatchley owned what is known as the M. H. Coons ranch, now owned by Marion Bannister, east of Hayes Center.
    Mr. Blatchley was killed about 20 years ago when he fell from a haystack onto a pitchfork.
    Mrs. Neilly's home is in Wyoming but she had been spending the summer and fall at Kearney. Mrs. Nielly is the mother of Mrs. Mark Counce of Hayes county, Miles Blatchley of Wyoming and Constance Blatchley of Iowa.
  10. [S8973] California 1920 Federal Census
  11. [S5355] Recorded as Extract #7427 Interview with Virginia Cook (), by Joan Cook Rasmusson, between 1964 and 1980. ().
    Picture from mom [Virginia Cook]. It looks like Virginia is about 5 or 6 years old, making this picture taken about 1935. Grandpa and Grandma Pfeiffer built this house from scratch. In the back there was a large cement 'swimming pool' which later was the home to numerous frogs and other wildlife.
  12. [S9044] Nevada County [California] Death index 1873-1986
    Pfiffer, Constance Marie
    DD: Nov 28 1964
    Sex: F
    County Bk:10 Pg: 417