Album & Article: Spotlight Blanche Henry

Blanche & Chuck Henry wedding

In Blanche Henry's own words:
Since many of you already know, I will simply say that I am 96 ½ years old, that way you may better understand this story.

I have been an Ohioan since my marriage in 1918, but I still have a strong attachment for New England where my Scotch-Irish and English ancestors were among the early colonists. I grew up in West Rupert, VT on the borderline of New York.  I was graduated from high school at Granville, N.Y., being the nearest one. I hoped to go to college so I applied for and got the job of teacher at a nearby country elementary grade school for – believe it or not – $36.00/month!

The next year I attended Heidelberg University through the offer of a kind uncle living in Tiffin, Ohio, to share their home.  I was also able to take an excellent course in china painting.  In order to earn college money I bought a small kiln and taught china painting to high school friends for 2 years.

A second year was spent at Heidelberg but in 1916 I transferred to Hiram College. Many people from our church in West Rupert, including my father, had attended Hiram. The uncle in Tiffin was a ministerial graduate from Hiram.  I entered Hiram as a junior.

The following spring, 1917, America joined England in the 1st World War and many young men enlisted, including my fiancé, Charles Henry. He was trained and stationed at two or three camps, finally at Ft. Meade in Baltimore, Maryland. I went back to Hiram for my senior year. We decided to marry the day after graduation.  The small wedding took place in his Aunt Marcia’s lovely garden {on the Hiram campus}. After a short honeymoon, he returned to camp and I lived in Baltimore. We were there until the war ended.

He was discharged in January, it was decided that he would finish his education at Ohio State taking a combined course by which he would receive his A.B. from Hiram and a degree in Agriculture in 2 years.  Agriculture because of his love of the family farmland acquired in the early 1800’s from the Connecticut Land Company. He had grown up in Cleveland, but his family spent summers there. The farmland had been rented out for many years.

Father Henry would soon retire and decided to replace the small farm house with a large colonial two family home. Eventually this all came about and we worked hard there for about 10 years, but as for the farm, the land had suffered from neglect and it was difficult to supply the needs of our growing family.

There was a need at Hiram College for athletes and my husband was hired to recruit good football players and to raise scholarship money from alumni to help them when needed.  He was very successful and eventually he became Hiram’s Alumni Secretary.  He was an excellent public relations man and was often referred to as Mr. Hiram: the athletic field is named for him.

Our three older sons served in World War II. Fred as a B-17 bomber pilot who flew 60 missions over Germany. John spent 3 ½ years island hopping with the Air Force. Gene drove an ambulance with the American Field Service with Montgomery’s campaign through Italy. Don later served 2 years at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  All four came home without physical injuries, picked up their lives and were as fortunate in their marriages with large closely knit families as a result.

Of my 18 grandchildren, all are college graduates with many pluses. There are several teachers, 2 were Peace Corps volunteers in Africa, an engineer, 2 are lawyers, a psychologist, an architect and an Ohio State Senator as of last fall!  And there are 24 great grandchildren!

What have I done? Sort of held things together. There was much too much PTA! I was also active with our church {Valley Presbyterian in Bainbridge}.  My relaxation was painting at the Valley Art Center after we came to Hamlet, almost 20 years ago. My painting was given a honorary mention in a local show.

After my husband’s death in 1982, I had several angina attacks, one critical, which resulted in my having to move to the Manor. A serious eye problem developed so I remained there until the Inn was built. I was thankful to be able to move here and to get along with very little help but to know it is always available.

April 22, 2021 Linda