Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1921-05-04
POPULAR MERCHANT
ANSWERS SUMMONS
MR.. "A. II. BLAKE PASSES AWAY
MONDAY MORNING, MAY
i SECOND
LOYAL HEARTS ARE REUNITED
wife Passed away Here on February
18th. Funeral for Mr.. Blake
! Held This Afternoon


Of Manchester, passed away on Monday
morning, May End, 1921, following an
Illness Of three days. Funeral ser
vices are being held at the old home
this afternoon, at 2:3O, with Rev. H.
u. Goughnour, pastor of the First
Congregational church, in charge In
terment will be in Oakland ceme-
terry.
Mr.. Blake was born In West Milton.
Vermont, October 14th. 1910. His early
lie was spent ON the old home farm
In Vermont. As young man ne en-
listed in Co. r. och Vermont Volunteer
Infantry. Few men In the Union army
suffered greater hardships than did
Mr.. Blake. He was captured by the
Confederates on February End, 1864,
at New Port, N. G., and for fifteen
months he was prisoner. Eleven
Of these fifteen months were speEt In
Andersonyille prison, and only very
small per cent OF the men ever lived
to see the end Of the war, many dy-
ing from the horrible treatment given
them.
On September 21st, 1865. Mr.. Blake
was united in marriage with Miss
Frankie Granger, who was also ma
tive OF West Milton. Vermont. Ia
February 1867, Mr.. and Mrs. Blake
came to Iowa, locating at V0lga City,
where he engaged In the merchantile
trade. In 1875 Mr.. Blake came to Man
chester and engaged in the Commits
sion business, buying and shipping
poultry, eggs and butter. Mr.. Blake
shipped four car loads Of butter IN
ten days in June 1877, and in Aug
,ust and September of the same year
he shipped $4,000 dozen eggs to the;
New York market. After some years
of successful Commission business,
Mr.. Blake and Charles Amsden en-
gagged in the banking business
under the firm name Of Blake & ANS.
den. Later he formed a partnership
with his son William c. Blake and the
firm for some time conducted gro-s
Gerry business here, and in 1895 the
dry goods store. which has all these
years born the name Of Blake & Son.,
was founded.
Mr.. Blake was one OF the organizers
OF the First National Bank OF Man
chester and has been member OF
the Board OF directors since its or
ganization. For many years ne has
been vice president Of the bank. Not
only was he capable business man.
but he also took his part in the ac-
tiyities OF the community at large.
He served with credit on the city
council for some years, and was an
honored and beloved member OF the
/ Masonic order, the Grand Army OF
the Republic. For years he served as
member of the Board OF Trustees
of the First Congregational church OF
this city, and was a liberal supporter
OF all worthy objects.
Mr.. Blake is survived by his son,
w. C. Blake, of this city, and two
grand daughters, Mrs. George Hayer-
man and Mrs. j. w. Tolmie, OF Cedar
Rapids.
In the passing Of Mr.. Blake this
community loses one of its most up
right and honored citizens. He was
loved by young and old, and in his
dealings with men he exemplified the
precepts of the Golden Rule. In the
home he was kind and considerate,
and was singularly devoted to his
companion, with whom he travelled
lifes pathway for more than fifty-five
years. Friends and loved ones find
consolation in the thought that Mr..
Blake and his wife are again united,
IN land where there shall be no
parting.