HERSCHEL G (SALLY) BLACKBURN

December 21, 1953

Herschel G. (Sally) Blackburn 74, an ardent Democrat, a former Black township trustee and justice of the peace and one of Mt. Vernon community's best known residents, died at 8 a.m. Sunday (20 Dec 1953) at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Manford E. Stein, 1200 East Third street.

Mr Blackburn had been in failing health since the death of his wife, nee Elsie Allyn, last August.  A month following her demise he suffered the first of a series of cerebral hemorrhages.  His condition worsened steadily in the last three months and 10 weeks ago he left his home at 707 East Fourth street to reside with the daughter.

The body is at the Short Niehaus Funeral Home chapel where friends are invited to call.

It will remain there through the funeral service at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Short Niehaus chapel.  Rev. Rodney Holder, pastor of the General Baptist pastor of the General Baptist Church at Owensville, will be the officiating clergyman.  Burial will be in Mt. Pleasant cemetery at Bufkin.

Surviving are two sons, Jay Blackburn, Evansville, and Fred Blackburn, Cincinnatti; two daughters, Mrs. W. Gilbert Goodwin, Lynn township and Mrs. Stein, Mt. Vernon; two grandchildren and three geat grandchildren; a brother, Walter Blackburn, Mt. Vernon and a sister, Mrs. Augusta Knight, St. Louis.

Mr. Blackburn was a member of the Mt. Vernon General Baptist Church, Modern Woodmen of America and Mt. Vernon lodge, No. 49, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The late deceased was one of 11 children - nine of whom reached adulthood of Green Blackburn and Cordelia Alldredge Blackburn, representatives of prominent pioneer local families.

He was born in the Bufkin vicinity but for a number of years prior to coming to Mt. Vernon in 1930 operated the Rosenbaum farm on the Tile Factory road.

He operated a service station on East Four street following his removal to Mt. Vernon.

In 1938 he was elected trustee of Black township as the climax of years of service to the Democratic party.

He served as township trustee from 1939-1943 and was afterwards justice of the peace of Black township

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Originally submitted by Betty Sellers