Person:Laura Shankland (1)

Probably the Belle Shankland who married Thomas Blair on 27 Mar 1889 in Cass Co., and is buried in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery. Thomas Blair (1868-1936) was the son of David Blair and Ann Davis, according to his death certificate.

 They had children Esther 1889, Marion 1893, Effie 1895, Benjamin Elmer 1897, Ora 1899, Alva 1904-1923, and Essie Jewell.
 In the 1900 census for Pea Ridge, Brown Co., Illinois, Thomas Blair is 31 born Oct 1868 in Illinois (parents Ireland), 'farmer', married 11 years; with wife Laura B. 26 born Nov 1873 in Illinois (parents same), with 5 of 6 children living; children are Esther 10 b, Dec 1889; Marion 6 b. June 1893; Effie 4 b. Oct 1895; Benjamin 2 Sept 1897; and Ora 6 mos., Oct 1899. {ed (7?), sh 1a, p. 96, roll 238 HeritageQuest}
 They moved to Monroe Co., Missouri between 1900 and 1904.
 In the 1910 census for Monroe Co., Missouri, Thomas Blair is 41 MO ( ), farmer, married 21 years; with Lura B. 38 IL with 7 of 8 children living; children are Esther L. 20; Marian J. 16; Effie 14; Benjamin 12; Ora E. 10; Alva 5; and Essie 3.

 According to her death certificate, Laura B. Blair was the daughter of Benjiman Shankland and 'Henrietta Roland', and is buried in Chandlersville, Illinois. Thomas Blair, husband of Belle, died in 1936. Their son Alva died in 1923.

1. ↑ Missouri Secretary of State. Missouri State Archives, Birth Death & Marriage. (<http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/ordb.asp>).