Belmont Village (part 2 of 2)

On Sections 27 and 30 of Blanchard are located the Fretwell Diggings, which were operated successfully up to a few years ago. After the discovery of these diggings by Fretwell, in 1838, miners flocked here from all parts of the county, the majority of whom were transient settlers, though a few remained and cultivated farms, at the same time carrying on their mining operations. During the summer season, the early settlers pursued farming, while through the winter they followed mining, with varying success.

Among the first permanent settlers in the town, John C. Telly, Lucius Belden, Orsemus Lakin and John Uren figured prominently. Mr. Telly came here in 1840, and first settled on a farm near the town line in Argyle, but, in the fall of this year, he erected a log cabin in the present limits of Blanchard, where he resided several years. He then located on Section 27, where he built a comfortable log house and cultivated a farm of forty acres. Mr. Belden also located a farm on Section 27, in 1840, and worked twenty-five acres of what is now known as the John G. Baker farm. John Bowser came here in 1841, and settled on Section 35, where he broke and cultivated a small farm. In 1845, James Smith and Gottfried Hoeffer settled in Blanchard, the former on Section 36, on the farm now owned by V. Brunner ; the latter located on Section 26, on the farm now owned by R. Graham, Sr. In November of 1851, H. Mills located on Section 25, on the farm now owned by Fred Knorr. Mr. Mills came here from Santa Fe, N. Mex., having served the previous five years in the Mexican army. On Section 25, he cultivated a small farm during the summer season, and has since followed mining more or less during the winter. Tom Ryan settled on Section 30 in the fall of 1850, where he built a small log cabin and worked a piece of land for a farm. The year 1851 brought B. Smith, who settled on Section 36. Following him, in the spring of 1852, came James Ingersoll and George Russell, who located farms on Sections 21 and 35 respectively. In 1853, came J. and Ed Robinson, who settled on Section 35, and Mr. Wyman, who located on Section 34. They were soon followed by J. Cavanaugh, James Etheridge, Mr. Dobson, Dudley Risley, C. Knorr, Josiah and John G. Baker, J. Johnson, Alvin Blanchard and others.

Up to the years 1858 and 1860, considerable mining was done in Blanchard, but, since the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, the mines have been practically abandoned.

On the John G. Baker property, on Section 23, in 1850, was established a Mormon colony, the height of whose ambition was to convert the settlers and make Blanchard a Mormon town. Here they erected a small log house, which they utilized for their numerous and long-protracted meetings, as well as for school purposes. It is said there were some converts, though the anticipations of their sanguine leaders were blighted by the resistance of the pioneers, and consequently they retraced their steps, one by one, back to their former abode, Nauvoo, 111. The school and church of the Mormons were the first erected in the town.

The first preacher of another denomination was Rev. Mr. Durston, who, for many years, held religious services at the residences of the different settlers.

In the early days of this town, the few children were mostly taught at home, though the Mormons had about fifteen or twenty scholars attending their school. In 1869, at the organization of the town, there were 212 children of school age in the limits - 109 males, 103 females. The total amount received during this year for school purposes was $873.08. There was paid out for same, $812.75. There are now in the town four schoolhouses, requiring the services of four teachers for the 214 children of school age - 106 males and 98 females. The total value of school property in Blanchard is $2,140. During the year 1880, there was received for school purposes, $2,097.75, and paid out, $1,132.71, of which amount $505.60 was paid for teachers' wages.

In 1845, Mr. Horner built a grist-mill, run by water-power, with two run of stones, on the site of the village. After continuing a successful business five years, he sold out, in 1850, to S. Newkirk, who subsequently disposed of the property to Thomas & Slater. Mr. Thomas was bought out by Mr. Robinson, who afterward sold to Alvin Blanchard. Slater disposed of his interest to H. Mill. Blanchard & Mill continued the business together until 1859, when Mr. Mill disposed of his share to John A. Adams. Alvin Blanchard transferred his title in the mill, several years later, to John Sardeson, the present proprietor.

In 1870, a company of farmers organized for the purpose of establishing a cheese factory on the farm of Mahlon Smith, Section 36. This factory was continued eight years, and then abandoned.

In 1874, a similar venture was made in the village by Alvin Blanchard, and operated by him alone one year. He then took in Fred Knorr as a partner. This factory suspended operations in 1876.