Blake, James D. (1838-1919)

BLAKE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 12/7/2016 at 01:21:29

The Advocate Tribune newspaper, Indianola, Iowa, Thursday, Jan 25, 1906, front page

Dr. James D. Blake
James D. Blake was born in Nobles county, Ohio, on the 25th day of November 1838. His boyhood was spent on the farm doing farm work and attending the districts schools. Like many other self-made men, he taught school, earned money which helped to pay his way through college. He took a four year’s course in Marietta college graduating from this institution. He then entered the Starling medical college, graduating from this institution in 1869. In 1863 he was married to Miss Hannah E. Kelly and unto them three children were born – Lula May, Eugene L. and Byron S. The daughter died some years ago; the two sons are practicing law in the city of Des Moines. Dr. Blake came to Palmyra in 1870 and entered upon the practice of his profession, and here for thirty-five years he has honestly and earnestly tried to discharge the duties of the true physician as well as those of the true citizen. To discharge the duties of husband and father and citizen is an obligation resting upon all, but alas, how few there be who faithfully and fearlessly discharge those duties. The true physician in addition to the qualifications of citizenship must possess that scientific skill and medical knowledge which come from experience as well as the information received from books; he must be frank, honest, temperate, sympathetic and energetic; he must remember that his patient is not a machine, nor merely a framework of bones padded with muscles and covered with skin; but that man is materialized thought, and that thought is power; that the human body is the home of the intellect, the soul, whose sensitive nerves vibrate in sympathy with mankind and in tune with the giver of life; and that when this body which contains those silent forces gets out of tune that true physician is the man who understands the psychological laws which brings harmony out of discord, as well as how to prescribe that medicine which will best assist nature in eliminating disease. He must know when nature needs this assistance and when she does not need assistance; this knowledge Dr. Blake has acquired from practice. Thirty-five years is a long time to be engaged in relieving the sick and afflicted; a long time to face the winter’s storm and summer’s heat, a whole generation of men and women have passed away in that time; there are very few of those who were middle aged thirty-five years ago now living in Palmyra township. To many of the families, Dr. Blake has not only been the family physician, but the family counselor, advisor and friend; he has often written the last will and testament when all had been done which man could do for his fellowman. Dr. Blake has always been the advisor and counselor of young men. Years ago he was the prime mover in starting a public library in our town; he has helped to organize and carry on literary and debating societies for entertainment and instruction of the young people of our community. He has always been a friend to our public school system; for many years he served as secretary of the Palmyra school board. He is a total abstainer; does not use tobacco in any form, neither does he use intoxicating liquors, and eliminates the use of intoxicants from his practice as much as possible; he preaches prohibition; he is not a member of any church, yet his every day walk in life is in harmony with that high moral standard which many church members would do well to follow. Dr. Blake’s political views have generally been in harmony with the tenets of the republican party; he voted for Bryan in 1896, and again in 1900; he has great faith in President Roosevelt, believing that he has the good of our country at heart; indeed he has arrived at that point where true manhood outranks party platforms. The doctor is a member of Palmyra lodge No. 16 I.O.O.F. and when his professional duties will permit he is a regular attender. Many physicians in the last thirty-five years have practiced medicine in Palmyra. Drs. Reese, Marietta and Lykes, of Des Moines. Dr. Scott, now of Milo, Dr. Kern, of Runnells; Dr. Farley deceased; then follows Drs. Sandy, Allen and Myrick. But Dr. Blake, like the Methodist church and the Odd Fellow’s lodge, is a permanent fixture of the town. The hospitable home of Dr. and Mrs. Blake is situated on a fine acre tract of land in the north part of what was once east Palmyra; here a few years ago they erected a neat and commodious home; the garden and orchard produces an abundant supply of vegetables and fruit, and here they are enjoying the labors and the pleasures of the life that now is and preparing for the life which is to come.