George W. Blake

BLAKE, MILLER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/19/2010 at 06:43:29

History of Jackson County, Iowa, 1910, James W. Ellis

George W. Blake

George W. Blake was reared at home and acquired his education in the public schools and in the Maquoketa high school. His career as a wage- earner dates from his twelfth year. He spent three years and a half in the woolen mills of Maquoketa and following this worked for one season on the farm and another on the section, and then resumed farm work until after his twentieth year. About this time he entered upon his career as a market gardener and two years later took up floriculture in connection. In course of time he abandoned the latter, selling his green houses and substituting fruit growing, in which he still engages. He is very fortunate in possessing a twenty acre fruit farm within the city limits of Maquoketa. In 1897 Mr. Blake purchased one hundred and twenty acres of the homestead, upon which he and his family reside, and in 1905 he added an adjoining one hundred and sixty acres, in the latter year taking up his residence thereon.
On July 2, 1881, Mr. Blake was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Miller, of Wilton Junction, Cedar county, Iowa. They have become the parents of three children. The eldest son, George F., is engaged in operating the fruit farm in Maquoketa. Harry C. works in partnership with his father in operating the home farm. Fred N. was graduated from the Maquoketa high school and now attends the State Agricultural College at Ames. Both Harry C. and Fred N. are gifted vocalists. The former has a fine tenor voice and his services are in demand upon all local occasions of note. Fred N. is a bass singer and is a member of the college glee club.
Mr. Blake is republican in politics and gives an intelligent consideration to all matters of public import. He has for years been a factor in his party's councils and is at present one of the board of trustees of South Fork township. When in Maquoketa he served for two terms on the board of aldermen and for years has given splendid service as a director of the Farmers Institute of Jackson county, having in 1909 been elected to the presidency. Mr. Blake and his family give generous support to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are members, and that he is accounted one of its most valued factors is evinced by the fact that he holds the office of president of the church board of trustees, as well as serving as head usher. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and upbuilding of the community and as an exponent of the most scientific methods employed in all branches of agriculture he cannot but be powerfully influential in bringing about their general adoption. Moreover, as a man he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him.

George Blake Grave
 

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