(1857-1937)
A romance novel in verse form was the special literary creation of Celize Foote Blackledge. Celize was born on a farm near Fredericktown, Knox County, Ohio, in 1857. Her father, James B. Foote, and her mother were among the early settlers of the area, moving from Connecticut to Knox County. The area near Fredericktown where they lived became known as the Foote settlement. The family later moved to the village, where James B. became owner of the foundry, known by his name.
There is some indication that Miss Foote was first named Cella Z., though in her later years she went by Celize. In 1900 Celize married Leander B. Blackledge, from Coshocton County. Mr. Blackledge was a stonemason, and it is believed that the couple remained in Knox County. In 1936 Celize moved to Bellville to live with a relative. She died in 1937.
Mrs. Blackledge published two books:
Minstrel’s Inspiration and Other Poems 1915
Who Knows: A Romance in Verse (a novel in verse) 1926