HISTORY OF PASCO COUNTY
Blanton
Sanford Blocker and Emily O’Berry
This page is taken, with permission, from the former My Blanton
web site, created by Marinell Davis.
Photos were contributed by Gene and Lora Blocker.
Sanford Blocker and Emily O’Berry.
Sanford: b. Apr 11 1877, N. Carolina; d. Jan 6 1934, Waycross, GA.
Emily Ellen: b. Oct 29 1872, Dade City; d. Nov 12 1918, Dade City.
Buried: Mt. Zion Cemetery, Pasco County, FL.
Sanford and son Norman were postmasters of Blanton.
Sanford Blocker’s parents.
Frances Eugene Blocker
and Mary Elizabeth Rich Blocker.
Frances:
b. Jul 30 1850 Cumberland County, N.C.;
d. Feb 10 1893 Blanton, FL.
Mary:
b. Sept. 17, 1874 Sampson Co., N.C.
d. Apr. 19, 1922 Dade City, FL.
Mary was first postmistress of Blanton.
The Blocker House
By LORA BLOCKER
The first part of the Blocker house was built around 1885 and was one
story. When Francis died and his wife remarried, her husband, Mr.
Johnson built the second story. This was done around 1909. The house had
the only circular staircase around, and was a work of art, as Mr. Johnson
did elaborate wood trim. The house also had the first glass windows in
the area.
Mary’s son Sanford and his family lived in the house and his
son Norman lived with his family there until around 1955 when he built
a home on State Road 41.
The huge camphor tree which still stands in the yard was planted by
Mary Blocker Johnson in 1896. It was a gift from an employee of
Jessamine Gardens.
Today, this house is know as the Tangelo Apartments.
This bed was handed down through the generations. Frances and Mary
brought this bed when they came to Blanton. On the underside of one of
the side rails, it says “F. E.Blocker, Wildwood, Fla.” John O’Berry
met the Blockers there and brought them by wagon to Blanton. The marble
wash stand on the right of the picture and the bowl and pitcher were
also theirs. The picture with them is Mary Blocker. On the left, the
little table with lamp was also brought with them. It was put together
with pegs, not mails.
Funeral handout
Mary Blocker and sisters.
L to R: Ida Rich, ?? Geddie, Mary Blocker (in white Belt)
SANFORD BLOCKER’S GRANDPARENTS.
John Culbreth Blocker
of Cedar Creek, N. C.,
and wife, Julia Ann Braddy.
 Michael Blocker was the immigrant head of family who came here
from Germany. He received a land grant from King George for land near
Cedar Grove, NC. (The first grant at left is to Barbary Blocker, Michael
Blocker’s daughter. The second is Michael’s grant.)
Young Sanford Blocker
Sanford Blocker’s new car.
Frank Blocker is in the back.
Sanford is in driver’s seat.
Fleta is in white hat.
Norman is next to Fleta.
Blocker grown children. Norman, Frank, Louise (3rd wife of Sanford), Fleta, and Donnie. |
