Blachly, Lou

Louis Bradley Blachly (1890-1965) was an employee of the U.S. War Dept. and Foreign Economic Administration, 1941- 1949, working in Columbia, S.C., Washington, D.C., North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East; later author of natural history books and articles, and local historian with the Pioneers Foundation, New Mexico. His maternal grandfather, Dan Beach Bradley, was a medical missionary to Bangkok, Siam, from 1835 to 1846

Louis Bradley Blachly (1890-1965) was an employee of the U.S. War Dept. and Foreign Economic Administration, 1941-1949; later author of natural history books and articles, and local historian with the Pioneers Foundation, New Mexico. His maternal grandfather, Dan Beach Bradley, was a medical missionary to Bangkok, Siam, from 1835 to 1846.

Born 1889 near Delta, Colo. After retirement from the federal government moved to Silver City, N.M. where he wrote a column for the Silver City Enterprise. In 1951 helped form the Pioneers Foundation, an organization which would record the reminiscences of "pioneers". Moved to Tucson, Ariz. in 1957 where he died in 1964.

Louis Bradley Blachly (1890-1965) was an employee of the U.S. War Dept. and Foreign Economic Administration, 1941-1949, working in Columbia, S.C., Washington, D.C., North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East; later author of natural history books and articles, and local historian with the Pioneers Foundation, New Mexico. His maternal grandfather, Dan Beach Bradley, was a medical missionary to Bangkok, Siam, from 1835 to 1846.

Louis Bradley Blachly was born on November 5, 1889 to Andrew True Blachly and Adelle Bradley Blachly on a farm near Delta, Colorado. In high school, Lou was class president, debating team leader, and manager of the football team. He was fascinated with history, and especially with the oral pursuit of the historical record. He didn't finish high school because of illness, but nevertheless was accepted to Oberlin College in 1911. Family responsibilities forced Lou to quit Oberlin College that same year. In 1912, he continued his college education at the University of Wisconsin, Madison pursuing a degree in economics. Again, family responsibilities disrupted his college education, but in 1919, he received an A.B. degree in economics from the University of Wisconsin.

In 1922, Lou Blachly married Natalie Norton, with whom he had 2 children. Much of Lou's professional career was with the federal government. His position with the Land-Lease program required frequent moves and extensive time overseas, straining his marriage. In 1947, when forced to make a choice between his marriage or his career, Lou chose his career, and he and Natalie were divorced.

Blachly received a disability retirement from the government in 1949 at age 59, and then moved to Silver City via Albuquerque upon retirement. Blachly worked for the Silver City Enterprise until 1950, where he began a column called, "I'll Never Forget," featuring recollections of old timers. Lou's childhood fascination with history and oral history was resurfacing. He was intrigued that there were still people alive who remembered the "frontier experience" and he felt an urgency to record their remembrances.

In 1951, Blachly successfully met with some of Silver City's prominent businessmen to plead for support in forming the Pioneers Foundation, an organization which would record the reminiscences of the remaining "pioneers." Caeser Brock was the first of more than 150 individuals who were interviewed by the Pioneers Foundation. By 1955, Blachly had become discouraged with the Pioneers Project, and focused his attention elsewhere.

Blachly moved to Tucson in 1957, where he produced 2 books, Picture Guide to Southwestern Arizona Wildflowers (1963) and Mammals, Snakes, and Lizards of the Southwest (1964). Lou Blachly died at home in Tucson on March 5, 1965. His remains were cremated and scattered in the desert near Tucson.