Blanche (Lowry) Whetstine was born in Eugene, Indiana, on August 11, 1880, the daughter of Sarah (Wiltermood) and John G. Lowry. By 1900, the family had moved to Kansas.

According to her obituary in the Phoenix Arizona Republic, dated May 18, 1973, she came to Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona Territory, in 1902. In 1907 at the Lowry home in Kansas, she married James L. Whetstine, who was assistant postmaster in Poland, Yavapai County.  Every resident of the town of Poland signed a congratulatory telegram to the young couple at the time of their wedding. Blanche and James had no children.

The Lowrys moved to Prescott, where James became the mayor and the president of the Bashford-Burmister Mercantile Company. A consistent patroness of the artistic and cultural life of Prescott, Blanche was a life member of the Monday Club. She also taught school in Iron King and Poland Junction in the Bradshaw mining district.

According to Blanche, she joined the Monday Club because, "In those days, there simply wasn't any other club with the same goals to maintain an organized center for mental culture of its members and to encourage civic improvement." Blanche was devoted to the Monday Club and wrote its history.  She served as the club president from 1914-15.

Blanche belonged to the Golden Rule Chapter #1, Order of the Eastern Star, and served as Worthy Grand Matron of the State of Arizona, Order of Eastern Star. She also served for several terms as the organization’s Grand Secretary. In addition, she belonged to the Friends of the Library, the Mountain Artists Guild, the Republican Women's Club and the First Congregational Church.

The Whetstines lived at 302 S. Mount Vernon Street during the late 1930s and early 1940s. A very kind and gentlewoman, she worked hard in the community. Well into her 80s, she was still alert and had concern for many people. She was generous both with time and money toward helping others.

Blanche died May 16, 1973, in Prescott at Yavapai Community Hospital and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery.

Donors: Kitty Jo and Keith Nelson
Photo Located: PB-5A, F-77-169, I-1111 (77-196P.1111)
Updated: 8/12/2015, Gretchen Eastman