The morning call., 1893-06-04

journey would bring to him renewed
health and possibly some riches he started
for this coast.
In the spring of 1S49, In company with
Dir. Stillman, Judge Thompson and others
we'll known among the early settlers. he
started and in the following August they
| reached San Francisco. His health i'm
proved rapidly and in the following year
he became one of the editors of the Pacific
News, the first newspaper published in
this city.
Later he founded a school for boys in
Benicia. which is still in existence and
known as 81. Augustine College. In the
fall OF 1854 he found himself again broken
in health, and TO improve it he went to
South America, where for three years he
devoted himself to teaching and preaching.
In 1857 he returned TO this city, and for
several years was the pastor of a PTesby-
terrain church. He was intensely patrio tic,
and when the call came for troops in 1861 he
raised company, which he expected TO
lead us captain in defense of the Union.
The company entered the service, but
before its departure the deceased received
a call from General Fremont. then in
charge OF the Western army, to join him In
Missouri and become n member of his
staff. He accepted the call and later be-
came CHAPLAIN in the hospital service.
He and Owen Lovejoy were the first
men in the country TO advocate arming the
colored men and putting them in service,
and when their suggestion was adopted in
1863. he took command OF a company of
coiored soldiers.
For fifteen months he and his company
were stationed at Morris Island. in front
of Charleston. and during the bonn bard
ment of that city. Afterward he was sent
to Florida. During the bOmbardment OF
Charleston he was injured by the concus-
sion OF a shell. and while In Florida he
was stricken with the swamp fever. He
never fully recovered from the result OF
those two Affections.
He was past chaplain in Tennessee until
the war closed. being stationed at Nash
Vile and Chattanooga. After the war was
ended his personal friend, Secretary STAN
ton, appointed him post chaplain of the
United States army and detailed him for
duty in Arizona.
He remained in Arizona for several
years, but his health being impaired he
retired to private life, doing but little
active servise until 1852, when he was
regularly retired from the service.
During Rev. MIR. Blake's early residence In
this city he was prominent citizen, taking
an active hand, during those troublesome
times. in bringing good out OF evil and
lettering the condition of society. During
the time General Sherman was stationed
here he was especially active and out
spoken in his efforts for the good of the
country.
Dullus 0cUCIdl EI6IDOUI Sluy U6T6
they renewed the friendship formed in
the East and became intimate friends
Rev. Mr.. Blake was an enthusiastic ad-
mirer of General Fremont. and also of
President Lincoln, who was also his per-
sona1 friend.
He was very positive in his character.
alert to grasp every possibility, and kept
far in advance of the times. He was lear
less in his action and expressions when
ever he was conscious that he WAS in the
right. He was of fine appearance, a de-
lightiul cOnversati0nalista and an eloquent
orator.
He was great student, speaking, read.
Ing and writing French, Spanish and
German. The latter study he took up and
mastered after he was so years of age.
He came of race of soldiers. his an
cestOrs being prominent officers in the
Revolutionary war. He was also lineal
descendant of Admiral Drake OF the Eng
llsh navy.
In 1887 Rev. Mr.. Blake had the misfortune
to lose his wife, the mother of his chill
dren. She had been a true hepmate and
did much in aiding her husband to sue
coed. During the war she was always by
his side, taking words of cheer and
courage to the wounded and dying SOL
diers. She was one of those noble women
whose names did not appear on the army
rolls, but who went into The crowded hos
pitfalls not for pay or honor, but to do good
Tor suffering humanity.
Several years later Rev. Mr.. Blake married
again, and leaves a widow to mourn
his unexpected death. He leaves two
children. Mrs. DR.. Charlotte Brown and
Dr.. Charles E. Blake. both of this city.
The funeral services will be held in the
First Congregational Church tomorrow at
3 O'Clock. All the Presbyterian and Con-
gregatiOnal ministers of the city and
vicinity are invited to DO present; also the
Loyal Legion and Pioneer societies, to
which he belonged