The following article was excerpted from THE HISTORY OF CALLAWAY COUNTY published by O. P. Williams & Co., St. Louis, Missouri, 1884. pp. 625-627. Reprints of the book are available through the Daniel Boone Regional Library, Fulton and Columbia, Missouri.
The article has been copied as written with the exception of paragraphs. It was originally published as a single paragraph, biographical sketch in the Biographical Section of distinguished persons living in the Fulton township of Callaway. The paragraph demarcations were made by C. Richard Blount, a great-grandson of Captain Samuel Blount. C. Richard Blount is a resident of Columbia, Missouri. (Email: Richard@Blount.org)
CAPTAIN SAMUEL BLOUNT
Attorney at law. For over three centuries the Blount family has occupied a distinguished position in English history and in the public affairs of this country. Charles Blount, Earl of Devonshire, who was contemporaneous with and an intimate friend of Sir Walter Raleigh, both being of the same county in England, (Devonshire), distinguished himself under Lord Montjoy in the suppression of the Tyrone rebellion in Ireland in 1603. Prior to this the Earl of Devonshire had interested himself in Sir Walter Raleigh’s colonization schemes in America, and several of the former’s relatives, including two nephews, sons of his brother, came over with Sir Walter and settled in North Carolina. From these sprang the Blount family of the United States, all the different branches of which came originally from that state.
The first one to attain to prominence in this country was General Thomas Blount of North Carolina, who volunteered in the Revolutionary army when sixteen years of age and in 1780 became paymaster-general. He also commanded a battalion at the battle of Eutaw Springs, and was raised to the rank of major-general. He served in the third, fourth, fifth, ninth, tenth and twelfth Congresses, as a "Republican" or Democrat.
Another distinguished member of the family was Governor William Blount born in North Carolina, in 1744. He was a member of the House of Commons of North Carolina In 1780 to 1784, and was also a member of the Continental Congress from 1782-1787. He was then appointed governor of the territory south of the Ohio, and was chairman of the committee that formed the first constitution of Tennessee, an instrument which he himself drew. He was afterwards elected governor of that state and subsequently United States Senator.
Honorable William G. Blount belonged to the same family. He was a member of Congress from Tennessee and Secretary of State of that state. Honorable James H. Blount, of Georgia, recent member of Congress, also comes of a branch of the original North Carolina family.
The branch to which Captain Samuel Blount, the subject of this sketch belongs, settled in Maryland from North Carolina in an early day, and from that state the captain’s father removed to Kentucky where the son grew to manhood. Captain Blount was born in Barren County, Maryland, on the 20th of December, 1805. Brought up in Kentucky in an early day, his advantages for an education were very limited; in fact, it may be said with entire truth that he educated himself.
The English are firm believers in the doctrine that "blood will tell." And it must be confessed that there is much in the history of birth in that country and this to support their opinion. Take the family name of any of the historic personages in England and trace the name through the history of this country; it will be found in almost every instance that the same family has become distinguished in affairs on this side of the Atlantic.
The Blounts have been identified with law and politics for three centuries, the same characteristics appearing in each generation, it matters not in what circumstances the individual member may be placed. Ambitions, resolutions and strong convictions are the leading traits of their character. For a Blount to be a mudsill of society would be as impossible as for an eagle to be a common barn-yard fowl. Their early opportunities may be no better than those of the most humble, but such is the strength of their character that they force their way into the place in society for which they are fitted by their talents and personal worth.
Captain Blount is a striking illustration of this characteristic of the family. As has been said he had practically no opportunities at all in early life. Yet notwithstanding this he rose superior to all obstacles; he educated himself and studied law; and by the strength of his own character and his natural abilities forced his way to a front position in his profession.
He was married in Kentucky on the 9th of April, 1830, at which time Miss Sarah Smith became his wife. She was originally from Virginia, and was a most amiable and excellent lady. Immediately after his marriage Captain Blount came west with his young wife and settled in Callaway County. Here he has since resided, a period of nearly fifty-four years. His first wife died in April, 1863, leaving him eight children: John R., Louisa A., Allex B., Samuel L., Isabel S., Franklin P., Mary Elizabeth and Frances.
His second wife was a widow lady, Mrs. Jane C. Pemberton, originally from Tennessee. But she, too, was taken from him by death. She died in 1878. Two years after her death he was married to his present wife, Mrs. Sarah Crosswhite, a widow lady and a worthy true-hearted woman.
In keeping with the traditions and characteristics of his family, Captain Blount has always taken a deep interest in politics. It is a remarkable fact that in the whole history of this country a Blount has never been known to falter in his allegiance to the Democratic Party. General Blount of Revolutionary fame, although a personal friend to Hamilton and Adams, was one of Jefferson’s most ardent supporters, and from that day to this every one of the name has been a steadfast, earnest democrat. Nor is Captain Blount any exception to this rule. Indeed he is a striking exemplification of its application. For fifty years and more he has taken an active part for the Democratic party in every campaign that has taken place. Such has been his activity and zeal in political matters that years ago he won the title of "The Old Democratic War-horse of the Kingdom of Callaway," a title which he still bears and fully merits.
Captain Blount was captain of a military company for ten years, from 1836 to 1846.
He has been engaged in the practice of the law for half a century and as a lawyer is one of those old-time practitioners of the Judge Hicks school, now unfortunately passing away, who were better learned in the minds and hearts of men than in legal aesthetics and kid-glove etiquette. He tried cases to win them by influencing the minds and hearts of men, and not to pick some little flaw in the crossing of "t" or the dotting of an "i" in order to take the case up and reverse it. Despising all trickery in practice, he relied for his success on his ability to present his cause in the light of justice, brightened and beautified by that higher and purer light, human sympathy.
As a man and citizen, no one in Callaway County holds a higher place in the esteem and confidence of the people.