OBIT: Jacob Ealy BLACKBURN, 1937, Alum Bank, Bedford County, PA

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Father and Daughter Died Within 24 Hours
J. E. Blackburn, Aged Mortician of Alum Bank, Followed in Death by Mrs. 
Watkins

  Jacob Ealy Blackburn, retired undertaker, cabinet maker and furniture 
dealer, died last Friday morning, March 19, at his home in Alum Bank, 
having been confined to bed for several weeks but in ill health for 
more than three years.
  His daughter, Mrs. Harry Watkins, passed away the following morning 
in the Memorial Hospital, Johnstown, after a long illness, aged 56. 
Strangely coincident is the fact that the latter's mother passed away 
on Jan. 31, 1934, and a sister, Mrs. Ada Smith, a week afterward.
  Mr. Blackburn was a son of Martin and Mandilla (Wertz) Blackburn and 
was born at Point April 27, 1853. His father, serving in the Civil War, 
died Aug. 16, 1863, in the notorious confederate prison at 
Andersonville, Ga., at the age of 39. In August 1877 Mr. Blackburn was 
married to Matilda Bowser and since that time had been in business in 
Pleasantville, retiring recently and his son, J. Clifford Blackburn, 
took entire charge. Several brothers and sisters preceded him in death. 
One brother survives, Nathan of Omaha, Nebr.
  He was a charter member of I.O.O.F. Lodge, organized 63 years ago. 
Also, charter member of the Knights of the Golden Eagles and a member 
of the Central Penna. Funeral Directors Asso. since organization. 
Besides the son, he leaves nine grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at his late 
home and interment made in the Pleasantville cemetery, Revs. H. M. 
Petrea and M. L. Kaufman officiating.

Blair County Genealogical Society, Archie Claar Collection of 
Obituaries, volume 7, p. 11 (1937)

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VETERAN DIRECTOR OF FUNERALS DIES

  Jacob Ealy Blackburn, veteran funeral director and prominent Bedford 
county citizen, died at his home at Alum Bank this morning at 5.30 
o'clock. Death was attributed to a complication of ailments. He had 
been in failing health for the past three years but was confined to his 
bed only the past three weeks.
  Mr. Blackburn was a son of Martin and Mandilla (Wertz) Blackburn and 
was born near Spring Hope on April 27, 1853. His father was a soldier 
in the Union army during the Civil war and died while a prisoner in the 
notorious Andersonville confederate prison.
  He was united in marriage with Matilda Bowser in August, 1877. She 
died on Jan. 31, 1934, and a daughter, Mrs. Ada Smith, died on Feb. 8, 
1934. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Harry Watkins of 59 du Pont 
Place, Johnstown; one son, J. Clifford Blackburn, Alum Bank mortician, 
and nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
  Also surviving is one brother, Nathan C. Blackburn, proprietor of the 
Blackburn Milling company in Omaha, Neb. Two brothers, Thomas of 
Altoona and George of Pittsburgh, are deceased, also two sisters, Mrs. 
David Ripley of Roaring Spring and Mrs. Sarah Margaret Crissman of Alum 
Bank.
  Mr. Blackburn had been in the undertaking business for the past sixty 
years, retiring a few years ago when the son took over the business. He 
was a member of the Central Pennsylvania Funeral Directors' 
association, a member of the Alum Bank lodge of the I.O.O.F. for fifty-
three years and a charter member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

BLACKBURN - Funeral services for the late Jacob Ealy Blackburn of Alum 
Bank, Bedford county, will be held at the home at Alum Bank on Sunday 
afternoon at 2.30 o'clock. Interment following in the Pleasantville 
cemetery.

Altoona Mirror, March 19, 1937