Lorenzo Jackson Blankenship was the son of Jeremiah Wilkenson and Naomi (Muncy) Blankenship. In 1850 he married Martha Ann Garrison. She was the daughter of William and Mary (Bloomer) Garrison.



From History of Barry CO:
"Lorenzo and Martha moved from Virginia Missouri and located on Flat Creek north of Cassville. Lorenzo was a carpenter and Brick Mason. He had a mill and a carding machine there. While there he also built the first Courthouse in Cassville. Daughters Mary, born in 1851, and Minerva born 1853, were born there. Minerva died and was buried here. (Cassville) Then they moved to Corsicana where he bought a farm and built a Mill, had a cotton gin and a carding Machine. He built an addition to a log cabin and lived there while the big house was being built. Evidently it was built in the 1860's for Emma was born in it December 3, 1872. She married there in 1890. After Martha died in November 1897, Lorenzo couldn't carry on alone as he had lost his hearing so the children took turns living with him. He died October 11, 1901. Elihu and family were living with him at that time and they stayed for a while. The original house did not burn until after the property was sold. Lorenzo was considered a very prosperous man. His wife, Martha had the first cook stove and the first sewing machine in that part of the country and people would come for miles to see them. but think what a life she had with a baby every two years and all that work! The other children of Lorenzo and Martha are: William Alonzo b. 1835, Jacob Elihu born 1857, The baby born 1858, Virginia Alice born 1860, John Right ( Rite?) born 1862, Lorenzo Dow born 1864, Ulysses Grant born 1866, Martha Arminta born 1868, Emma Laura born 1872. The first Courthouse in Cassville was built of brick by Lorenzo Blankenship and it was destroyed during the Civil War. A picture of this Courthouse is featured on the cover of the 1888 Goodspeed's History of Barry County, reprinted by Emory Melton. Lorenzo also built a hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, it is thought to be on one of the lower streets and is tri-cornered. Edith Salyer - Goodspeed's 1888 History: The business interests of Corsicana in 1870 were represented by L. J. Blankenship's carding mill, known as the "White Machine House". - Bio: Lorenzo J. Blankenship was born in Lee County, VA on Apr. 4, 1820 and is a son of Wilkinson and Naomi (Moncey) Blankenship. Wilkinson Blankenship was born in Russell Co., VA in 1796 and is a son of Arthur Blankenship, a native of NC, who immigrated to VA. The latter was familiar with many of the scenes of the Revolutionary War. He was a farmer, miller, blacksmith, and tanner, and died after the close of the Civil War in Lee County, VA, leaving a very large estate. Wilkinson Blankenship was married in VA. He and wife were born in the same house, there being but six months difference in their ages. They became the parents of several children, five of whom grew to maturity. In 1840, Wilkinson Blankenship came with his family to MO, locating in Polk County. He was a farmer and brick layer. He died in Montgomery County, MO, in 1868, and his wife died in 1885, aged 85 years. Lorenzo J. Blankenship is a natural mechanic, and has never failed in any of his mechanical undertakings. He made his start in life as a plasterer and brick layer, at which he became very proficient. He erected the first brick house in Polk County, MO in 1842. His first speculation was in the Christian County carding and milling establishment, but as he had a partner addicted to the use of strong drink, he soon became dissatisfied, and sold his share in the business and came to Barry County, MO. Here, in 1851, he entered into the carding business near Cassville, erecting his own buildings. He ran a successful business for four years, when he sold out and came to his present location at Corsicana, and again engaged in the milling and carding industry. He put up the first smut-mill in the county. During his life he has built five carding machines, three mills and owned thousands of acres of land, and although he has done business to the amount of several thousands of dollars, he has never asked for credit. He built the first hotel in Eureka Springs, AR in the years 1880-81. It is of a V shape, four stories high, and at present occupied by the Eureka Bank, Adams Express office, law office, telegraph office, etc. On his farm he has five large fish ponds, well stocked with German carp. In 1850 Mr. Blankenship was united in marriage with Martha Garrison, a native of TN, and to them have been born eight children who are still living, viz: Mary L. (Mrs. John McNatt), Elihu, Alice (Mrs. H. R. Williams), John R., Dow, U.S.G., Arminta (Mrs. Lafayette Swindle) and Emma. Mr. Blankenship is a man of perfect habits, and he and family are highly respected by all who know them. They are communicants of the Christian Church."