Manley F. Blanton - Family Histories

     Charles G. Blanton and Sarah Elizabeth Utley were married in Cherokee County on October 10, 1879. Charles G. had moved from Tennessee and Sarah was a native Texan. Soon after their marriage, they traveled by wagon from East Texas to the Fairview Community near Comanche. While they were there, six sons and one daughter were born: Wiley, Hill, Manley, Earl, Sid, daughter Addie, and Mace. While their children were in their teens, Charles G. died of unknown causes, buried in Zion Hill Cemetery, near Comanche. The mother decided to find a better farm, thus the two oldest boys, Wiley and Hill, set out on horseback to Coleman County in 1900 and found a farm in the Cleveland Community to purchase, the Ed Baxter farm of 160 acres.

     Manley F. Blanton was then 13 years old. On September 24, 1912, Manley married Nora Q. Scott in the Cleveland Community. Nora and her family were from the Liberty Community. She was always called by the nick-name of "Jack." Soon after their marriage, they moved across the road from the now Blanton Farm to a one bedroom house on the Fletcher place to begin their married life. Manev was very active in the Cleveland Community, a farmer, and worked in the Fry Oil Field in the early 1930's. During this time a drill bit fell on him and almost cost him his life. Elizabeth Nell was born July 4, 1913. After this event the familv moved to the Ed Wallace place to continue farming. Here, Shirley Eleene was born May 20, 1915, and Sidney Elmo, February 3, 1917.

     Since Sarah E. Blanton was alone now, as all her sons had married and moved away; the daughter also gone, Manley and Nora moved onto the Blanton farm to help farm it and to finish rearing their family. The following children were born there: Thomas L., August 22, 1919; Fannie Fay, May 25, 1922; Dale Dean, June 2, 1924; Loyce, September 19, 1926; Gladys Myrtle, January 5, 1929; and Oneta Ann, May 7, 1936.

     During their early years, both Manley and Jack were baptized into the Cleveland Church of Christ. Dad was an elder and active member for 60 years.

     During their married life in the Niwot Community, later renamed Cleveland Community, Manley was active in the community as a school trustee at the Cleveland school, elder in the church, chairman of the county and state elections for the community, and a member of Farm Bureau.

     Sarah E. died about February 1946, buried beside her husband. Charles G. Blanton in the Zion Hill Cemetery, Comanche. Manley and Jack purchased the Blanton Farm around 1946. Manley used his children to keep the farm going. They hoed, plowed, and picked cotton. When they finished their crops, they worked for the neighbors to make extra money to buy school clothes in the fall. Manley died June 18, 1960, and Nora continued to live on the farm; the farming duties were handled by the oldest son, Sidney E., for several years. Nora moved to Santa Anna about 1970 and lived there until her death, June 21, 1973, both she and Manley are buried at Cleveland Cemetery. The children sold the Blanton farm about 1977, all married and moved away with the exception of Sidney E. who remained within a couple of miles of the farm for most of his lite.

     On December 1, 1933, Nell married Robert C. Rainey of Buffalo Community; he was a school teacher in the Cleveland Community. They had three sons, Robert Clifford, William Freeman, and Donald Wayne Rainey. Most of their lives were spent in Lubbock and Cleburne. Robert C. died in April of 1983, buried in the Mukewater Cemetery, near Bangs.

     Shirley E. married Jesse A. Phillips from the Santa Anna area, under an old oak tree three miles south of Santa Anna on the Trickham Highway, in an unusual ceremony, September 25, 1935 see Robert Phillips).

     Sidney Elmo and Lucille Genz were married January 29, 1938, in Blanket, but lived almost all of their lives in the Cleveland Community (see Genz-Blanton). Lucille was reared near the Trickham area and now resides in Bangs. They had three sons: Terry L., Tommy Freeman, and Tammy Elmo. These sons were the last of the Blanton generation to farm the old Blanton place. Terry L. resides in Grand Prairie, married Dorothy A. Tucker of Grand Prairie, November 16, 1968, one daughter, Brandi Lyn. Tommy F. chose to remain in Coleman County, and resides near the old Santa Anna Lake, married Paula Copeland about March, 1970, has a son, Kevin, and daughter. Elisha. Tammy moved away and lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Sidney died August 20, 1980, buried at Cleveland Cemetery.

     Thomas L. married Evelyn Chamberlain, March 16, 1954, in Killeen. They have a son, Roy Leon, and a daughter, Debra. Thomas L. worked in Civil Service on Fort Hood, and spent most of his life near Lampasas.

     Fannie Fay married William E. Anderson in Coleman, November 24, 1942. They had three daughters: Dena Kay. who died at age 13, buried in Pecos: Nancy Lou and Jodie Sue. They spent several years in Austin, retired about 1980, moved to Bangs.

     Loyce married Wayne Myers in Midland, June 3, 1946. They had two daughters and one son,
Shirley Yvonne, Connie Janell, and Ronnie Wayne. They spent several years in Andrews, then moved to Austin, where they have lived for several years.

     Gladys Myrtle married Duane Williams in Brownwood, August 1, 1945. (See John Wesley Williams). They had two sons, Doyle and Dickie Dale, and one daughter, Shryl Inell.

     Oneta Ann and Donald McBeth were married in Andrews, August 13, 1955. They had one daughter, Kelly Thresa Dale Dean and Sidney Elmo, died and are buried at Cleveland.

pictures to be added

Sarah Blanton home -1900, first buggy, Manley and Earl;
back buggy, Addre and Hill Blanton

Sarah Blanton and sons, Manley, Mace, Sid, Wiley, Earl and Hill

Manley and Nora "Jack" Blanton

Children of Manley and "Jack," Nell, Shirley, Sid, Thomas, Fannie, Loyce, Gladys and Oneta Ann