The son of Newton Crain Blanchard [Louisiana governor, US Senator and Louisiana Supreme Court Justice] and Mary Emily "Emma" Barret. He was born in Shreveport, as the city was recovering from the devastating yellow fever outbreak of 1873. He was named after one of his father's law partners, J. S. Ashton. Graduating in 1897 from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Dr. James Ashton Blanchard first became an allopath.
As a member of the First Louisiana Volunteer Infantry, Dr. Blanchard was an assistant surgeon during the Spanish American war reaching the rank of Captain. His good friend and fellow comrade, Lieutenant Ellis Gray died in December 1898 in Shreveport of malarial fever contracted during the war. Dr. Blanchard saw Gray's remains off at the train depot for interment in Atlanta, Georgia. The Shreveport Journal reported young Dr. Blanchard skillfully and satisfactorily amputating the arm of a fourteen year old train jumper, Jessie Craig, who had been mangled by a train. His medical office was located above Bower's Drug Store in Shreveport. Dr. Blanchard was not one for socializing to the point where he was constantly in the society columns of Shreveport newspapers. Most of his social affairs were of events honoring his father or his sister, Ethel, never was he the main honoree. His priorities were reserved for his medical studies.
On 12 February 1901 in Shreveport, he married Virginia "Jennie" May Land. They had a daughter, Emily Barret Blanchard in 1904. Jennie was heavily involved with Shreveport society and very active in bridge while Dr. Blanchard spent his time serving as chairman of the Board of Health overseeing milk samples and fighting tuberculosis.
When the third annual encampment of the Louisiana State National Guard was held in Alexandria, La. in 1907, the hospital corps were under the command of Major Dr. Ashton Blanchard. Coming home from the Alexandria encampment, a disturbing incident occurred with Dr. Blanchard making front page news. Dr. Blanchard witnessed a porter being "insolent" with ladies in his rail car. He wound up thrashing the man with his saber on the head and shoulder. It was reported a man from Ohio was upset at the beating and was then beat by Dr. Blanchard resulting in two black eyes and a broken nose. This was an uncharacteristic fracas that the Shreveport newspapers touted as a Southern man doing his duty to protect women.
In 1908, he and his wife, Jennie and their young daughter left for London to live there for two years while Dr. Blanchard too a post graduate course in eye, ear, nose and throat specialties. His concentration became an eye specialist and set up a practice in his hometown. It was stated in 1909 that he was not feeling well and had gone to the south of France to restore his health. The nature of his illness was never disclosed.
An interesting newspaper full page newspaper advertisement was run in the Shreveport Times on 13 Mary 1912 by Henderson Motors. The ads headline was "How the Physicians of Shreveport Ride" with Dr. Blanchard's car being listed as a Chalmers.
In May 1910, Dr. Blanchard purchased property at 3001 Fairfield Avenue and built a Colonial home. This was across the street to their church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church. At the corner of King's Highway and Fairfield Avenue, still a busy by way. Curious matters arose concerning Dr. Blanchard and his family. Any news of Dr. Blanchard had become almost non-existent. In May 1919, Mrs. J. Ashton Blanchard was opening her home to an event called "An Evening of Delight" for the benefit of "The Pines." The ads running for the benefit pageant and concert does not mention Dr. Blanchard and stated "On the Lawn and Block in Front of the Residence of Mrs. J. Ashton Blanchard Fairfield Avenue and King's Highway." It was reported around the same time Dr. Blanchard was spending the summer in New York City and Atlantic City going to clinics and relaxing. This was the last mention of Dr. Blanchard in Shreveport newspaper until February 1920.
On Saturday afternoon, February 14, The Journal newspaper received a message from Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Blanchard was reported to have been on his way to Atlanta from Memphis but was found dead in his Memphis hotel room. He had used a large caliber rifle to shoot himself in the head. No one had heard the report and he was last seen and 9 p.m. and found the next morning. The announcement included this personal information: Dr. Blanchard had been in poor health and had been despondent over his condition. He had gone to Florida to rest and his death by these means was not a complete shock to those who knew him. He had contracted tuberculosis early in his career and had moved to Ashville N.C. where he actually resided for two years. He returned to Shreveport against the wishes of his family and started his practice up again but had to retire. All of his family and friends thought he was still in Florida at the time of his death. A letter addressed to his father who was then living in Corpus Christi, Texas was found in his hotel room.
The fine home Dr. Blanchard built at 3001 Fairfield was torn down and is where Community Bank now sits. Jennie married stockbroker J. Fred Pierson in NYC and moved to New York. She died in 1955. Daughter Emily Barret Blanchard became a socialite, author and theatrical patron. She had an interesting marital experience. She first married an actor, John Emmett Carr of Hollywood. She made the Daily News in 1946 when she realized he was not as financially funded as implied. The marriage lasted 20 days. She then married Mortimer Burt Burnside and moved to Los Angeles. She died there in 1992.
A resolution made by the Commercial National Bank in March 1920 is poignant and reflects the regard many felt towards him:
"Blanchard sleeps near his sainted mother in Greenwood Cemetery. On his grave the morning sun will rise, and evening's twilight fade. There the hand of affection will plant the rose and myrtle. As the years go by, the stars will shine upon it and the gloom of the nights that are starless robe it in blackness. The winter winds will shriek above it, and in the springtime, the melody of the birds' song and the perfume of the flowers will environ it. There in the solemn calm of the grave, we leave him to await the call of the angels."
Dr. Blanchard was well respected, a few children were named after him, including a little boy, Ashton Blanchard Pruitt who rests in Greenwood Cemetery not far from his namesake.
As a member of the First Louisiana Volunteer Infantry, Dr. Blanchard was an assistant surgeon during the Spanish American war reaching the rank of Captain. His good friend and fellow comrade, Lieutenant Ellis Gray died in December 1898 in Shreveport of malarial fever contracted during the war. Dr. Blanchard saw Gray's remains off at the train depot for interment in Atlanta, Georgia. The Shreveport Journal reported young Dr. Blanchard skillfully and satisfactorily amputating the arm of a fourteen year old train jumper, Jessie Craig, who had been mangled by a train. His medical office was located above Bower's Drug Store in Shreveport. Dr. Blanchard was not one for socializing to the point where he was constantly in the society columns of Shreveport newspapers. Most of his social affairs were of events honoring his father or his sister, Ethel, never was he the main honoree. His priorities were reserved for his medical studies.
On 12 February 1901 in Shreveport, he married Virginia "Jennie" May Land. They had a daughter, Emily Barret Blanchard in 1904. Jennie was heavily involved with Shreveport society and very active in bridge while Dr. Blanchard spent his time serving as chairman of the Board of Health overseeing milk samples and fighting tuberculosis.
When the third annual encampment of the Louisiana State National Guard was held in Alexandria, La. in 1907, the hospital corps were under the command of Major Dr. Ashton Blanchard. Coming home from the Alexandria encampment, a disturbing incident occurred with Dr. Blanchard making front page news. Dr. Blanchard witnessed a porter being "insolent" with ladies in his rail car. He wound up thrashing the man with his saber on the head and shoulder. It was reported a man from Ohio was upset at the beating and was then beat by Dr. Blanchard resulting in two black eyes and a broken nose. This was an uncharacteristic fracas that the Shreveport newspapers touted as a Southern man doing his duty to protect women.
In 1908, he and his wife, Jennie and their young daughter left for London to live there for two years while Dr. Blanchard too a post graduate course in eye, ear, nose and throat specialties. His concentration became an eye specialist and set up a practice in his hometown. It was stated in 1909 that he was not feeling well and had gone to the south of France to restore his health. The nature of his illness was never disclosed.
An interesting newspaper full page newspaper advertisement was run in the Shreveport Times on 13 Mary 1912 by Henderson Motors. The ads headline was "How the Physicians of Shreveport Ride" with Dr. Blanchard's car being listed as a Chalmers.
In May 1910, Dr. Blanchard purchased property at 3001 Fairfield Avenue and built a Colonial home. This was across the street to their church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church. At the corner of King's Highway and Fairfield Avenue, still a busy by way. Curious matters arose concerning Dr. Blanchard and his family. Any news of Dr. Blanchard had become almost non-existent. In May 1919, Mrs. J. Ashton Blanchard was opening her home to an event called "An Evening of Delight" for the benefit of "The Pines." The ads running for the benefit pageant and concert does not mention Dr. Blanchard and stated "On the Lawn and Block in Front of the Residence of Mrs. J. Ashton Blanchard Fairfield Avenue and King's Highway." It was reported around the same time Dr. Blanchard was spending the summer in New York City and Atlantic City going to clinics and relaxing. This was the last mention of Dr. Blanchard in Shreveport newspaper until February 1920.
On Saturday afternoon, February 14, The Journal newspaper received a message from Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Blanchard was reported to have been on his way to Atlanta from Memphis but was found dead in his Memphis hotel room. He had used a large caliber rifle to shoot himself in the head. No one had heard the report and he was last seen and 9 p.m. and found the next morning. The announcement included this personal information: Dr. Blanchard had been in poor health and had been despondent over his condition. He had gone to Florida to rest and his death by these means was not a complete shock to those who knew him. He had contracted tuberculosis early in his career and had moved to Ashville N.C. where he actually resided for two years. He returned to Shreveport against the wishes of his family and started his practice up again but had to retire. All of his family and friends thought he was still in Florida at the time of his death. A letter addressed to his father who was then living in Corpus Christi, Texas was found in his hotel room.
The fine home Dr. Blanchard built at 3001 Fairfield was torn down and is where Community Bank now sits. Jennie married stockbroker J. Fred Pierson in NYC and moved to New York. She died in 1955. Daughter Emily Barret Blanchard became a socialite, author and theatrical patron. She had an interesting marital experience. She first married an actor, John Emmett Carr of Hollywood. She made the Daily News in 1946 when she realized he was not as financially funded as implied. The marriage lasted 20 days. She then married Mortimer Burt Burnside and moved to Los Angeles. She died there in 1992.
A resolution made by the Commercial National Bank in March 1920 is poignant and reflects the regard many felt towards him:
"Blanchard sleeps near his sainted mother in Greenwood Cemetery. On his grave the morning sun will rise, and evening's twilight fade. There the hand of affection will plant the rose and myrtle. As the years go by, the stars will shine upon it and the gloom of the nights that are starless robe it in blackness. The winter winds will shriek above it, and in the springtime, the melody of the birds' song and the perfume of the flowers will environ it. There in the solemn calm of the grave, we leave him to await the call of the angels."
Dr. Blanchard was well respected, a few children were named after him, including a little boy, Ashton Blanchard Pruitt who rests in Greenwood Cemetery not far from his namesake.
The son of Newton Crain Blanchard [Louisiana governor, US Senator and Louisiana Supreme Court Justice] and Mary Emily "Emma" Barret. He was born in Shreveport, as the city was recovering from the devastating yellow fever outbreak of 1873. He was named after one of his father's law partners, J. S. Ashton. Graduating in 1897 from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Dr. James Ashton Blanchard first became an allopath.
As a member of the First Louisiana Volunteer Infantry, Dr. Blanchard was an assistant surgeon during the Spanish American war reaching the rank of Captain. His good friend and fellow comrade, Lieutenant Ellis Gray died in December 1898 in Shreveport of malarial fever contracted during the war. Dr. Blanchard saw Gray's remains off at the train depot for interment in Atlanta, Georgia. The Shreveport Journal reported young Dr. Blanchard skillfully and satisfactorily amputating the arm of a fourteen year old train jumper, Jessie Craig, who had been mangled by a train. His medical office was located above Bower's Drug Store in Shreveport. Dr. Blanchard was not one for socializing to the point where he was constantly in the society columns of Shreveport newspapers. Most of his social affairs were of events honoring his father or his sister, Ethel, never was he the main honoree. His priorities were reserved for his medical studies.
On 12 February 1901 in Shreveport, he married Virginia "Jennie" May Land. They had a daughter, Emily Barret Blanchard in 1904. Jennie was heavily involved with Shreveport society and very active in bridge while Dr. Blanchard spent his time serving as chairman of the Board of Health overseeing milk samples and fighting tuberculosis.
When the third annual encampment of the Louisiana State National Guard was held in Alexandria, La. in 1907, the hospital corps were under the command of Major Dr. Ashton Blanchard. Coming home from the Alexandria encampment, a disturbing incident occurred with Dr. Blanchard making front page news. Dr. Blanchard witnessed a porter being "insolent" with ladies in his rail car. He wound up thrashing the man with his saber on the head and shoulder. It was reported a man from Ohio was upset at the beating and was then beat by Dr. Blanchard resulting in two black eyes and a broken nose. This was an uncharacteristic fracas that the Shreveport newspapers touted as a Southern man doing his duty to protect women.
In 1908, he and his wife, Jennie and their young daughter left for London to live there for two years while Dr. Blanchard too a post graduate course in eye, ear, nose and throat specialties. His concentration became an eye specialist and set up a practice in his hometown. It was stated in 1909 that he was not feeling well and had gone to the south of France to restore his health. The nature of his illness was never disclosed.
An interesting newspaper full page newspaper advertisement was run in the Shreveport Times on 13 Mary 1912 by Henderson Motors. The ads headline was "How the Physicians of Shreveport Ride" with Dr. Blanchard's car being listed as a Chalmers.
In May 1910, Dr. Blanchard purchased property at 3001 Fairfield Avenue and built a Colonial home. This was across the street to their church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church. At the corner of King's Highway and Fairfield Avenue, still a busy by way. Curious matters arose concerning Dr. Blanchard and his family. Any news of Dr. Blanchard had become almost non-existent. In May 1919, Mrs. J. Ashton Blanchard was opening her home to an event called "An Evening of Delight" for the benefit of "The Pines." The ads running for the benefit pageant and concert does not mention Dr. Blanchard and stated "On the Lawn and Block in Front of the Residence of Mrs. J. Ashton Blanchard Fairfield Avenue and King's Highway." It was reported around the same time Dr. Blanchard was spending the summer in New York City and Atlantic City going to clinics and relaxing. This was the last mention of Dr. Blanchard in Shreveport newspaper until February 1920.
On Saturday afternoon, February 14, The Journal newspaper received a message from Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Blanchard was reported to have been on his way to Atlanta from Memphis but was found dead in his Memphis hotel room. He had used a large caliber rifle to shoot himself in the head. No one had heard the report and he was last seen and 9 p.m. and found the next morning. The announcement included this personal information: Dr. Blanchard had been in poor health and had been despondent over his condition. He had gone to Florida to rest and his death by these means was not a complete shock to those who knew him. He had contracted tuberculosis early in his career and had moved to Ashville N.C. where he actually resided for two years. He returned to Shreveport against the wishes of his family and started his practice up again but had to retire. All of his family and friends thought he was still in Florida at the time of his death. A letter addressed to his father who was then living in Corpus Christi, Texas was found in his hotel room.
The fine home Dr. Blanchard built at 3001 Fairfield was torn down and is where Community Bank now sits. Jennie married stockbroker J. Fred Pierson in NYC and moved to New York. She died in 1955. Daughter Emily Barret Blanchard became a socialite, author and theatrical patron. She had an interesting marital experience. She first married an actor, John Emmett Carr of Hollywood. She made the Daily News in 1946 when she realized he was not as financially funded as implied. The marriage lasted 20 days. She then married Mortimer Burt Burnside and moved to Los Angeles. She died there in 1992.
A resolution made by the Commercial National Bank in March 1920 is poignant and reflects the regard many felt towards him:
"Blanchard sleeps near his sainted mother in Greenwood Cemetery. On his grave the morning sun will rise, and evening's twilight fade. There the hand of affection will plant the rose and myrtle. As the years go by, the stars will shine upon it and the gloom of the nights that are starless robe it in blackness. The winter winds will shriek above it, and in the springtime, the melody of the birds' song and the perfume of the flowers will environ it. There in the solemn calm of the grave, we leave him to await the call of the angels."
Dr. Blanchard was well respected, a few children were named after him, including a little boy, Ashton Blanchard Pruitt who rests in Greenwood Cemetery not far from his namesake.
As a member of the First Louisiana Volunteer Infantry, Dr. Blanchard was an assistant surgeon during the Spanish American war reaching the rank of Captain. His good friend and fellow comrade, Lieutenant Ellis Gray died in December 1898 in Shreveport of malarial fever contracted during the war. Dr. Blanchard saw Gray's remains off at the train depot for interment in Atlanta, Georgia. The Shreveport Journal reported young Dr. Blanchard skillfully and satisfactorily amputating the arm of a fourteen year old train jumper, Jessie Craig, who had been mangled by a train. His medical office was located above Bower's Drug Store in Shreveport. Dr. Blanchard was not one for socializing to the point where he was constantly in the society columns of Shreveport newspapers. Most of his social affairs were of events honoring his father or his sister, Ethel, never was he the main honoree. His priorities were reserved for his medical studies.
On 12 February 1901 in Shreveport, he married Virginia "Jennie" May Land. They had a daughter, Emily Barret Blanchard in 1904. Jennie was heavily involved with Shreveport society and very active in bridge while Dr. Blanchard spent his time serving as chairman of the Board of Health overseeing milk samples and fighting tuberculosis.
When the third annual encampment of the Louisiana State National Guard was held in Alexandria, La. in 1907, the hospital corps were under the command of Major Dr. Ashton Blanchard. Coming home from the Alexandria encampment, a disturbing incident occurred with Dr. Blanchard making front page news. Dr. Blanchard witnessed a porter being "insolent" with ladies in his rail car. He wound up thrashing the man with his saber on the head and shoulder. It was reported a man from Ohio was upset at the beating and was then beat by Dr. Blanchard resulting in two black eyes and a broken nose. This was an uncharacteristic fracas that the Shreveport newspapers touted as a Southern man doing his duty to protect women.
In 1908, he and his wife, Jennie and their young daughter left for London to live there for two years while Dr. Blanchard too a post graduate course in eye, ear, nose and throat specialties. His concentration became an eye specialist and set up a practice in his hometown. It was stated in 1909 that he was not feeling well and had gone to the south of France to restore his health. The nature of his illness was never disclosed.
An interesting newspaper full page newspaper advertisement was run in the Shreveport Times on 13 Mary 1912 by Henderson Motors. The ads headline was "How the Physicians of Shreveport Ride" with Dr. Blanchard's car being listed as a Chalmers.
In May 1910, Dr. Blanchard purchased property at 3001 Fairfield Avenue and built a Colonial home. This was across the street to their church, St. Mark's Episcopal Church. At the corner of King's Highway and Fairfield Avenue, still a busy by way. Curious matters arose concerning Dr. Blanchard and his family. Any news of Dr. Blanchard had become almost non-existent. In May 1919, Mrs. J. Ashton Blanchard was opening her home to an event called "An Evening of Delight" for the benefit of "The Pines." The ads running for the benefit pageant and concert does not mention Dr. Blanchard and stated "On the Lawn and Block in Front of the Residence of Mrs. J. Ashton Blanchard Fairfield Avenue and King's Highway." It was reported around the same time Dr. Blanchard was spending the summer in New York City and Atlantic City going to clinics and relaxing. This was the last mention of Dr. Blanchard in Shreveport newspaper until February 1920.
On Saturday afternoon, February 14, The Journal newspaper received a message from Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Blanchard was reported to have been on his way to Atlanta from Memphis but was found dead in his Memphis hotel room. He had used a large caliber rifle to shoot himself in the head. No one had heard the report and he was last seen and 9 p.m. and found the next morning. The announcement included this personal information: Dr. Blanchard had been in poor health and had been despondent over his condition. He had gone to Florida to rest and his death by these means was not a complete shock to those who knew him. He had contracted tuberculosis early in his career and had moved to Ashville N.C. where he actually resided for two years. He returned to Shreveport against the wishes of his family and started his practice up again but had to retire. All of his family and friends thought he was still in Florida at the time of his death. A letter addressed to his father who was then living in Corpus Christi, Texas was found in his hotel room.
The fine home Dr. Blanchard built at 3001 Fairfield was torn down and is where Community Bank now sits. Jennie married stockbroker J. Fred Pierson in NYC and moved to New York. She died in 1955. Daughter Emily Barret Blanchard became a socialite, author and theatrical patron. She had an interesting marital experience. She first married an actor, John Emmett Carr of Hollywood. She made the Daily News in 1946 when she realized he was not as financially funded as implied. The marriage lasted 20 days. She then married Mortimer Burt Burnside and moved to Los Angeles. She died there in 1992.
A resolution made by the Commercial National Bank in March 1920 is poignant and reflects the regard many felt towards him:
"Blanchard sleeps near his sainted mother in Greenwood Cemetery. On his grave the morning sun will rise, and evening's twilight fade. There the hand of affection will plant the rose and myrtle. As the years go by, the stars will shine upon it and the gloom of the nights that are starless robe it in blackness. The winter winds will shriek above it, and in the springtime, the melody of the birds' song and the perfume of the flowers will environ it. There in the solemn calm of the grave, we leave him to await the call of the angels."
Dr. Blanchard was well respected, a few children were named after him, including a little boy, Ashton Blanchard Pruitt who rests in Greenwood Cemetery not far from his namesake.
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