Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-15
WELL KNOWN BLACKSMITH
RETIREs FROM BUSINESS
William Blackburn to Make His Home
In Hartford After May I.

After swinging the blacksmith's
hammer for half n century. William
blackburn, the veteran blacksmith has
closed out his business and will after
May list, yacate his present prem
lges nt 10 Myers avenue, where he
past % years up 70 April and 80
to Hartford to reside with his daugflt-
", Mrs. p. II. Jaquith. 1o4 Camp
field avenue. Some months ago he
purchased n Mitchell touring chr and
has placed IL In his daughters garage.
During his declining years no intends
to look at life from another angle,
and whiio he win retire from the
blaclssmithing buslne5s. he intends TO
have sufficient work 20 engage him n
few hours each day and be able TO
pass tho remainder RutomobillnG and
pleasure neelSing. Mr.. Blackburn -
probably ono OF the best known and
oldest business mon in town, and Il
haR been through his industry and
zeal that no hbH been able TO Huccoed
accumulated a sufficient competence
to maintain him Cor the rest OF hIs
da.E. and 10 did &. all within tho
past quarter OF y century,
Mr.. Blackburn was born IN BuEhy,
Scotland, January !. is4s. ono OF ave
February, 1893, He resided for some
| time with HIS sister ut Long society.
In September OF that year he entered
tho blacksmith shop OF A, r. Bingham
at the Norwich Falls where he served
three years. learning tho trade. At
tie education on account OF the eX-
/ pense connected with schooling in
| Scotland, and &c was while learning
Ills trade that no did his stupying
nights. For two winters no was
| taught by Major Crnry ut the Falls.
After he served his time, he was
| employed by Mr.. Bingham for two
! years. Mr.. Bingham passed away and
/ Mr.. Blackburn closed up the business
/ He then went to Westerly for a short
/ time and after returning entered the
| blacksmith shop OF the late William
Tubbs on Bath street. Mr.. Blackburn
| remained there for "a years, and IL was
| % years ago April l that he entered
business on his own account on Myer:
avenue in the shop he is to leave
! May 1.
He came OF Norwich during the wal
| and he tells many interesting facts
about the drills that used to be carried
on at the Chelsea parade, the ground
of the New London County Agricul-
! turai society and other points in and
around the city. Mr.. Blackburn state!
that his new home in Hartford will b'
on the old drilling ground which wa!
named at that time Campfleld avenue
because of the extended camps hell
G4Atl = ulaLAIl5 tit WAL
Mr.. Blackburn says that % year
ago when he started in business he hal
but a single SO bill as a foundation
70 build on. But during the past quar-
ter of a century he has accumulate
enough to retire from business.
About the time Mr. Blackburn en-
, | tered business on his own accoun
he began to join fraternal organiza
tons and he said he at one time be
lOnged to a great many but at pres
/, ent is a member only of Norwicl
) lodge, No. 430. B. P. o. E., Court Cit,
of Norwich. F'oresters of America, Nc
So, Norwich Conn.,, lodge of Moose
No. $50, Wauregan lodge, No.
Knights of Pythias, and the Maste
: HOrseshoers' National Protective as
ISOLATION of America.
He has been treasurer of the loca
horseshoers' organization for the pas
Is years, has been a trustee of Wau
T regan lodge for Is years and sti
; holds the Office. having been a mem
:, Der of the lodge for 25 years. He ha
e passed through the chairs of Coul
= City of Norwich where he has been
/ | member for % years. and has attend
= ed the conventions of the Horseshoer
= association in various cities. includ
= ing Hartford, Indianapolis and Ne
:. Britain.
f Mr.. Blackburn married Miss Ella ]
e Mccain. She passed away about 4
S years ago. He has two sons, willial
:. J. Blackburn and John z. Blackburn
J. of this city, and one daughter, Mr.
= p H. Jaquith of Hartford, with who:
he is to reside. He has eight grand
children. Mr.. Blackburn is a membt
of Broadway Congregational church