The John S. Blackmar Scholarship, presented each year by the Norwich Rotary Club, is named for Dr. John Blackmar.
The following is a biography of John Blackmar, MD former Norwich Rotarian and surgeon in both the Spanish-American War and World War I from A modern history of New London County, Connecticut; by Marshall, Benjamin Tinkham.
JOHN STANTON BLACKMAR, M.D. — Although since 1898 devoted to the healing art as physician and surgeon. Dr. Blackmar has had an active part in two wars, and in the great World War of 1917-18, earned that coveted French decoration, the Croix de Guerre, a decoration pinned upon his breast by the famous French officer, General Petain. His first military experience was in the Spanish-American War, as assistant surgeon, with the rank of lieutenant. In the war of 1917 he went overseas as regimental surgeon, a commissioned captain, and attached to an American regiment brigaded with a French division. That regiment, the 372nd United States Infantry, won honors in France, and received from the French government a regimental decoration. Dr. Blackmar was especially cited and decorated for his service.
CITATION.
At General Headquarters, January 13, 1919.The Marshal, Commander-in-Chief of the French Army of the East,
PETAIN.
Order No. I2,833D-
(Extract.)
After approval of the Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Forces, the Marshal of France, Commander-in-Chief of the French Army of the East, cites a Divisional Order.
Medicine-Major John S. Blackmar, 372nd Infantry Regiment, distinguished himself especially during the period from September 27th to October 6th, 1918, when he showed the greatest zeal in the accomplishment of his duty, working day and night under violent bombardment and taking care of over four hundred wounded, many of whom were in a condition requiring the most difficult operations.
During the interval between the two wars in which he served, Dr. Blackmar practiced surgery and medicine in New York City, and Norwich, Connecticut, returning to the latter city trom the army, and is again in private practice.
Dr. Blackmar is a son of George F. Blackmar, born in Killingly, Connecticut, who there obtained a public school education. At a suitable age he learned the machinist’s trade and later located at Taftville, where he was employed until his death, which occurred at the age of twenty-six years, becoming a cotton mill master mechanic. He lost his life by drowning in the mill stream at Taftville during a sudden rise in the river in 1876. His widow, Harriet (Stanton) Blackmar, born in Cohoes, New York, yet survives him, her home with her only child. Dr. John S. Blackmar, in Norwich, Connecticut.
John Stanton Blackmar was born in Norwich, Connecticut, March 15, 1875. He was educated in Norwich public schools, Norwich Free Academy and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, receiving from the last-named institution the degree of Doctor of Medicine, class of 1898. Soon after returning to Norwich he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 3rd Regiment, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of lieutenant, and served with that regiment during the war with Spain. He was honorably discharged from the service in March, 1899, and spent the following twenty-seven months as interne at the Harlem Hospital, New York City, then engaged in private practice in New York City until 1912, when he located in Norwich, Connecticut, and there became well established as a skillful physician and surgeon.
On January 15, 1918, Dr. Blackmar was commissioned captain of the United States Army Medical Corps and assigned to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, for training in the Army Medical School. Having had former military training, he was only at that camp ten days when he received assignment as regimental surgeon of the 372nd Regiment, United States Infantry, then at Newport News, Virginia. He joined that regiment at once, and on March 30, 1918, sailed for France. The regiment disembarked at St. Nazaire, France, and after a period of training camp duty, the 372nd regiment (colored troops) was attached to the 157th Division of the French army, General Gouraud commanding. The regiment, classed as “shock troops,” served on the French front in the following sectors: the Argonne (West) front, Vanquois, Verdun, the Champagne district and Alsace, where they were on duty when the armistice was signed. For meritorious service performed with the regiment during battle, Captain Blackmar was decorated with the Croix de Guerre, as previously mentioned.
After the armistice was signed, the 372nd Regiment was returned to the United States, but Captain Blackmar remained in France, where he was on duty at the American Base Hospital, No. 41, at Is-Sur-Tille. He returned to the United States, July 12, 1919, and was discharged at Camp Devens, Massachusetts, July 30, 1919, with the rank of major in the United States Army Medical Reserve Corps. He at once resumed private practice in Norwich, Connecticut, his present location.
In politics. Dr. Blackmar is a Republican, and in June, 1920, he was elected to represent his ward in the Norwich Common Council. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Connecticut State Medical and New London Medical societies, and president of the Norwich City Medical Society. He is a member of the staff of William W. Backus Hospital, Norwich; United States public health surgeon in Norwich, and a member of the board of United States Pension Examiners for New London county.
In Masonry, he is affiliated with Bunting Lodge, No. 655, Free and Accepted Masons, of New York City; Franklin Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons, of Norwich; Franklin Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters, of Norwich; Columbian Commandery,
No. 4, Knights Templar, of Norwich; King Solomon Lodge of Perfection; Van Rensselaer Council, Princes of Jerusalem; Norwich Chapter of Rose Croix; and Connecticut Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he holds the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Norwich Lodge, No. 30, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and commander of Robert O. Fletcher Post, American Legion. He is a member of the Norwich Chamber of Commerce, and the Norwich Rotary Club, of which he is one of the board of directors (1921).Dr. Blackmar married, in New York City, October 12, 1910, Mildred Martin, of that city.
Dr. Blackmar passed away on June 24, 1922. His wife Mildred died in 1927.
The following is the account of the Rotary Club’s tribute to Dr. Blackmar from the Norwich Bulletin.
ROTARY CLUB TRIBUTE TO B. JOHN S. BLACKMAR
Owing to the ‘funeral Tuesday of Dr. John S. Blackmar, a charter member of the Norwich Rotary Club, the luncheon of the club which was to have been held on Tuesday Was postponed and instead only a short meeting was held it Which a sincere tribute was paid the memory of Dr. Blackmar. There was a large attendance at the meeting which opened with the singing of America after which Secretary J. N. Weymouth called the roll.
President William G Park expressed the thought of every Rotarian present when he paid a fitting tribute to the life of one whose every action has portrayed the underlying principles of Rotary, “Service Above Self.”
President Park said: “The first break in the solid ranks of local Rotary has come with the passing from this life of Dr. John S. Blackmar to a life of greater fullness. While we are saddened by the loss of John, we can also be glad that, we were privileged to have had John as a friend, glad that we could be in his company for a few short hours each week and the memory of him will always be with us. If John could send a message to us today it would be to carry on in the faith of God, in the faith of the ideals of the club to which John was ever loyal and true faith in one and anther and In ourselves. John has gone but he has left us better for his having been with us, and as we think of him let us not be filled with sadness for he has left us a blessed heritage of carrying on the ideals that he cherished so highly and exemplified.”
After President Parks fitting tribute to the life of Dr. Blackmar the following resolutions which were framed by Arthur ML Brown and Dr. Hugh B. Campbell were read and adopted:
Dr. John S. Blackmar, a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Norwich died at his home in this city on Saturday, June 24th, 1922.
From, the inception of the Club John had been one of its most prominent and enthusiastic members; up to the time of his last illness he had maintained a one hundred per cent, attendance record and at air times stood ready to give of his strength and talents to further the interests of this Club and to establish generally the ideas and principles of Rotary.His life clearly demonstrates his belief in the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” and his fellow Rotarians above all others will miss his Spirit of cheery helpfulnes.
RESOLVED: That out of respect to his memory this meeting be now adjourned and that this resolution be recorded in full In the archives of this club.
Rev. William A. Keefe then led the assemblage in reciting the Lord’s prayer, and after the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” the meeting adjourned. The board of directors and most of the members attended the funeral services at Park Congregational church.
