The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 182 

JAMES W. BLACKBURN.

It was but a few years ago that the fruit raising possibilities of the Yakima
valley became recognized and one of those who has made good use of the
opportunities presented here along that line is James W. Blackburn, a native of
the Blue Grass state, who now owns twenty acres of valuable land one mile east
of Zillah. Of this tract fourteen acres are devoted to apples, while the rest is
in alfalfa and under the plow. Mr. Blackburn was born in Caldwell county,
Kentucky, March 5, 1863, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Stevenson)
Blackburn, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. Throughout his life
the father followed agricultural pursuits and was quite successful in his
undertakings. Both he and his wife have now passed away, their demise occurring
in Kentucky.

James W. Blackburn was reared amid farm surroundings and in the acquirement of
an education attended the public schools. His father died when he was but
fifteen years old and he then laid aside his textbooks and assisted in looking
after the farm. At the age of twenty he was married and then began farming
independently, renting land. Having heard many favorable reports in regard to
the opportunities presented in the northwest, he left Kentucky, April 26, 1904,
and on the first of May of that year arrived in Yakima county, Washington, where
for the first two years he worked for wages. Ever keeping his eyes open for an
opportunity to make himself independent and carefully husbanding his resources,
he was then enabled to rent land for one year. He operated this to such good
purpose that on March 10, 1907, he was able to acquire title to twenty acres one
mile east of Zillah which was partly improved. This tract is now in a high state
of cultivation, fourteen acres being planted to apples, while the remainder is
in alfalfa and under the plow. Mr. Blackburn has now resided here for eleven
years and today receives a most gratifying income from his land. He has ever
followed progressive methods and has made many improvements and instituted
modern equipment, so that his place is considered a model one.

On October 13, 1887, Mr. Blackburn was united in marriage to Miss Ida Brown, a
native of Kentucky, and a daughter of P. H. C. and Nancy J. (Guess) Brown. To
this union were born seven children: Nora, who married Reed White, a rancher on
the Ahtanum, and has had three children, one of whom is deceased; Shelley J.,
who is now serving his country in the United States army in France; Chester,
Alvin and Leah, all at home; and Raymond and William Henry, both deceased.

The family are devoted adherents of the Christian church and are ever helpfully
interested in measures which have for their purpose the moral or intellectual
upbuilding of the people. Politically Mr. Blackburn is a republican but has
never desired office, preferring to give his whole attention to his business
affairs and his family. Here he has found the opportunities which he sought and
is today one of the most enthusiastic fruit raisers of the Yakima valley who has
not only made good use of the chances here presented but has improved upon his
opportunities and through energy and industry has attained a position which
places him among the substantial residents of Zillah and vicinity.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.