William Blincoe was one of the early settlers of Oklahoma. I have several items concerning him and think they show some of the life and times of early settling of the West.

Settlement of Guthrie. Oklahoma
On April 22, 1889, the signal was given for would-be settlers to rush into the former Indian lands of eastern Oklahoma and stake off their claims for home sites. At noon of that day there was no city here; at sunset there was a population of more than 5,000. The railroad station had been called Guthrie, after Judge John Guthrie, a railroad official, and the new settlement adopted the name. From 1890 to 1910, Guthrie was the capital of the state; then, by vote of the people, the seat of state administration was transferred to Oklahoma City.

Newspaper accolade. Golden Rule, a publication of the Christian Endeavor Society, date unknown
"Truly Christian Endeavor pioneers are all who are Christian Endeavor workers in the new Territory of Oklahoma, and Wlliam Blincoe is a pioneer of those pioneers. He was born at Booneville, Mo., November 15, 1865, and is therefore quite a young man. He took from the Kansas Normal College, Fort Scott, Kansas, the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and from the University of Michigan that of Law. He entered at once upon the practice of law at Guthrie, Oklahoma, where he has made commendable progress in his profession. He holds the important position of schoolland commissioner for the Territory. Mr. Blincoe's parents died while he was quite young, and he was thrown on his own resources. From the age of sodeen until the age of twenty-five he was an infidel. He became converted in a Christian society he himself had helped to organize, and joined, soon after, the Congregational Church. No wonder Mr. Blincoe, having gained this great benefit from the Christian Endeavor movement, became enthusiastic in promoting that cause. It was he who suggested the organization of the first Christian Endeavor society formed in Oklahoma. This was on December 29, 1889. The next year he attended the St. Louis International Convention, and was appointed superintendent of Christian Endeavor work in the new Territory. Now that Oklahoma has been able to form a Territorial union, Mr. Blincoe was very ft chosen as its president [Christian Endeavor Society]. The GOLDEN RULE sends, to him and to his earnest co-laborers, a most hearty God-speed. Oklahoma presents a difficult field, yet nowhere in the country may Christian Endeavor, win such important triumphs."

Obituary, part missing. Probably from The Guthrie Leader Not dated but he died in 1907.

....Once or twice a year his old complaint revived.
William Blincoe was one of God's noblemen.   Even when ill he radiated friendliness and good will. He was most loyal in his friendship; the soul of honor and integrity. Wlliam Blincoe never knowingly did a dishonorable thing in his life. Modest, unassuming he was generous to a fault, a loving husband and an indulgent father. He was a good citizen for the town. During the past two years the deceased had been regularly employed in the editorial department of The Leader.

The deceased was born Nov. 25,1865, near Booneville, Cooper Co., Mo. He attended the district schools, and taught school at 17 years of age. He taught school in Fort Scott, Kansas, and graduated at the Ann Arbor law school. When The Gutluie [OK] Leader was founded he was interested do management for two years in 1892-93. When Governor Renfrow was appointed governor under Cleveland, Mr. Blincoe was made commissioner of the school land department. He inaugurated the system now in vogue, and proved a most invaluable official He organized the Christian Endeavor societies of Oklahoma and was the first president of the C.E. in the Territory.

After leaving public office Mr. Blincoe practiced law. Since 1898 his health prevented him from engaging in exacting business. The deceased was married in 1894. A wife and son, Wiliam survive him. He leaves two brothers, G.W. Blincoe, of Fort Scott, and E.L. Blincoe, of San Francisco; and a sister, Mrs. E.I. Thompson, of Hepler, Kas. Mr. G.W. Blincoe, a nephew Leslie Blincoe, of Fallis, and Mrs. Thompson, of Kansas are here. The funeral will take place from the home at 10 o'clock Tuesday moming. Rev. Harry Oscar Scott, pastor of the Presbyterian church, of which the deceased was a leading member, will conduct the services.

Letter from Ernest Edward Blincoe, written in 1977 [excerpts]
I remember, of course, Untie Wlliam Blincoe quite well, especially in my earlier days which I was a Kid on the farm. He and his wife, Louise, and son Wlliam, visited us on a number of occasions while he was at Guthrie, which was then the territorial capital of Indian Territory, now the State of Oklahoma. I recall that he won the oratorical contest at the Kansas Normal and taught school at Xenia, Bourbon County. Kansas, to make money to go to the Ann Arbor law School, which I later learned was the University of Michigan.

Wlliam Blincoe and family later moved to Perry, Michigan, which was Aunt Louise's home, and I recall visiting her in the 1920's. She passed away many years ago and some 15 years ago her son, Wlliam also died, leaving two or three girls whom I have not heard from for years.

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updated: 18 January 2003