Walter was the third child of nine born to William Thomas Blenkarn and Eleanor Maria "Nellie" Ardley Turner. He was born at 20 North Place, Kingland Rd., London, England. He came to the United States along with his father on a voyage across the Atlantic. Walter was 14 years old at this time; they first lived in Dover, Illinois for three years, then moved to Wabaunsee, Kansas. He taught school for a time in Wakefiled and later became a merchant in Wombego, Kansas. A lady named Lois Leman remembered as a child how she loved to go to his store, because he always had a big sucker to give her.

He married Hattie E. Lines of Wamego, daughter of Elford J. Lines on 20 Jul 1883 at the Congregational Church in Waubaunsee, Kansas. The very impressive wedding ceremony was performed by his father Rev. William Thomas Blenkarn, in the presence of many relatives and friends of the happy couple. Milton D. Asher, of Alma was organist, Theo S. Spellman and M.R. Walter were ushers. After the ceremony a reception was given at the home of the bride's mother, where a large number of invited guests had an enjoyable time.

Walter was connected with the Purcell Elevator Company, was a young man of sterling worth, and made a wise choice in his selection of a helpmate through life. They did not have any children, but they extended much love to their many nephews and nieces. In 1923 they moved to Manhattan, Kansas and ran a store up until his retirement.

His wife died shortly after their move to Manhattan. They were members of the Presbyterian church in Manhattan and Walter sang in the church choir for many years.

He died from a heart ailment at 1:45 a.m. at a local hospital at the age of 83. He is buried at the Waubaunsee Cemetery along with his wife, sister Alice May and father William Thomas.

Source: "Blenkarn Tapestry" by Dorothy L. Taylor pg 102
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"England and Wales Census, 1871," Walter W H Blenkarn in household of William T Blenkarn, Watton, Watton, Norfolk, England

name: Walter W H Blenkarn
event: Census
event date: 1871
gender: Male
age: 10
relationship to head of household: Son
birthplace: Shoreditch, Middlesex
record type: Household
registration district: Wayland
sub-district: Watton
event parish: Watton
county: Norfolk

Household Gender Age Birthplace
self William T Blenkarn M 38 Shoreditch, Middlesex
wife Eleanor M Blenkarn F 38 Chipping Hill, Essex
daughter Emma E Blenkarn F 12 London, Middlesex
son Walter W H Blenkarn M 10 Shoreditch, Middlesex
son Alfred G O Blenkarn M 8 Hackney, Middlesex
daughter Eleanor M Blenkarn F 6 Stourport, Worcestershire
daughter Constance C A Blenkarn F 4 Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
son Osborn E A Blenkarn M 2 Walton, Norfolk
daughter Lilian E F Blenkarn F 1 Walton, Norfolk
servant Mary A Overton F 14 Wretham, Norfolk
servant Sarah A E Balls F 14 Walton, Norfolk

Source Citation
"England and Wales Census, 1871," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VFX4-X3H : accessed 09 Sep 2012), Walter W H Blenkarn in household of William T Blenkarn, Watton, Watton, Norfolk, England; citing PRO RG 10/[piece], folio 141, p. 3; Wayland registration district, Watton subdistrict, ED 9f, household 18, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"United States Census, 1880," Walter W H Blenkarn in household of William T Blenkarn, Republican, Clay, Kansas

name: Walter W H Blenkarn
residence: Republican, Clay, Kansas
birthdate: 1861
birthplace: England
relationship to head: Son
spouse's name:
spouse's birthplace:
father's name: William T Blenkarn
father's birthplace: England
mother's name: Eleanor A Blenkarn
mother's birthplace: England
race or color (expanded): White
ethnicity (standardized): American
gender: Male
martial status: Single
age (expanded): 19 years
occupation: School Teacher
nara film number: T9-0376
page: 106
page character: D
entry number: 394
film number: 1254376

Household Gender Age Birthplace
self William T Blenkarn M 48 England
wife Eleanor A Blenkarn F 47 England
dau Alice M Blenkarn F 23 England
dau Edith E Blenkarn F 21 England
son Walter W H Blenkarn M 19 England
son Alfred G O Blenkarn M 17 England
dau Maude E Blenkarn F 15 England
dau Constance A Blenkarn F 13 England
son Osborn E A Blenkarn M 11 England
dau Lilian E F Blenkarn F 10 England

Source Citation
"United States Census, 1880," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MFPG-4Z3 : accessed 09 Sep 2012), Walter W H Blenkarn in household of William T Blenkarn, Republican, Clay, Kansas; citing sheet 106D, family 4, NARA microfilm publication T9-0376.