John Blackford

John W. Blackford (4 March 1837 – 10 April 1916) was an American politician. Blackford was born near Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, as were his grandfather Joseph and father Aaron, on 4 March 1837. His family had lived in the area since Martin Blackford emigrated from Scotland in 1751. John Blackford's mother was of Dutch descent. He was educated in country schools and the York County Academy. Blackford subsequently taught school, then moved to Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1864. In Iowa, he raised Poland China pigs and Hereford cattle. Blackford served as president of the American Poland China Record Association from 1903 to 1904, and became treasurer of the organization thereafter. From 1906, he lived in Hillsboro, and was president of the Hillsboro Savings Bank. He served one term in the Iowa House of Representatives, as a Republican legislator for District 20, then located in Henry County, from 1913 to 1915. Blackford died on 10 April 1916 in Hillsboro. His son Aaron Vale Blackford later served in both houses of the Iowa General Assembly. References People from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania 1837 births 1916 deaths People from Van Buren County, Iowa Republican Party members of the Iowa House of Representatives 20th-century American politicians People from Henry County, Iowa Farmers from Iowa American people of Scottish descent American people of Dutch descent American bank presidents Schoolteachers from Pennsylvania 19th-century American educators