Built first steam mill in Indianapolis with partners Nicholas Mc Carty Sr. and James M. Ray.
From the Book: The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis by David J. Bodenhamer, Robert Graham Barrows, page 325
Blake, James (Mar. 3, 1791-Nov. 26, 1870). Early settler, businessman, civic leader. A native of York County, Pennsylvania, and veteran of the War of 1812, Blake was a wagon driver in his home state. Moving in July, 1821, to Indianapolis, where he resided until his death, Blake capitalized on the ginseng trade and established several drying houses (one in Indianapolis) to process the root for shipment. From his arrival, Blake plunged into all aspects of in the capital city. He established a successful wholesale dry goods store, founded the Indianapolis Rolling Mill, was a partner in the Indianapolis Steam Mill Company (1828), and president of the Indiana Mutual Fire Insurance Company (1837-1855). He was a member of the first board of directors of the Madison and Indiana Railroad and a director of the Lafayette and Indianapolis Railroad. Though never elected to public office, Balke served as a commissioner to accept plans for the first State House in Indiana. He also served as captain of the first militia company and the first fire company organized in town. Devoted to numerous charitable endeavors, Blake was president of the Benevolent Society for 35 years, helped organize the Indiana Colonization Society, established the first Sunday school in town and led its annual July 4th parade for 30 years, and promoted the cause of a state hospital for the insane. He also served as trustee of Hanover College, Miami University (Ohio), and Crown Hill Cemetery, and at his death was the Indiana commissioner for the erection of a monument honoring Indiana's Civil War soldiers who fought at Gettysburg. Sheryl D. Vanderstel
From the Book: The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis by David J. Bodenhamer, Robert Graham Barrows, page 325
Blake, James (Mar. 3, 1791-Nov. 26, 1870). Early settler, businessman, civic leader. A native of York County, Pennsylvania, and veteran of the War of 1812, Blake was a wagon driver in his home state. Moving in July, 1821, to Indianapolis, where he resided until his death, Blake capitalized on the ginseng trade and established several drying houses (one in Indianapolis) to process the root for shipment. From his arrival, Blake plunged into all aspects of in the capital city. He established a successful wholesale dry goods store, founded the Indianapolis Rolling Mill, was a partner in the Indianapolis Steam Mill Company (1828), and president of the Indiana Mutual Fire Insurance Company (1837-1855). He was a member of the first board of directors of the Madison and Indiana Railroad and a director of the Lafayette and Indianapolis Railroad. Though never elected to public office, Balke served as a commissioner to accept plans for the first State House in Indiana. He also served as captain of the first militia company and the first fire company organized in town. Devoted to numerous charitable endeavors, Blake was president of the Benevolent Society for 35 years, helped organize the Indiana Colonization Society, established the first Sunday school in town and led its annual July 4th parade for 30 years, and promoted the cause of a state hospital for the insane. He also served as trustee of Hanover College, Miami University (Ohio), and Crown Hill Cemetery, and at his death was the Indiana commissioner for the erection of a monument honoring Indiana's Civil War soldiers who fought at Gettysburg. Sheryl D. Vanderstel
Built first steam mill in Indianapolis with partners Nicholas Mc Carty Sr. and James M. Ray.
From the Book: The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis by David J. Bodenhamer, Robert Graham Barrows, page 325
Blake, James (Mar. 3, 1791-Nov. 26, 1870). Early settler, businessman, civic leader. A native of York County, Pennsylvania, and veteran of the War of 1812, Blake was a wagon driver in his home state. Moving in July, 1821, to Indianapolis, where he resided until his death, Blake capitalized on the ginseng trade and established several drying houses (one in Indianapolis) to process the root for shipment. From his arrival, Blake plunged into all aspects of in the capital city. He established a successful wholesale dry goods store, founded the Indianapolis Rolling Mill, was a partner in the Indianapolis Steam Mill Company (1828), and president of the Indiana Mutual Fire Insurance Company (1837-1855). He was a member of the first board of directors of the Madison and Indiana Railroad and a director of the Lafayette and Indianapolis Railroad. Though never elected to public office, Balke served as a commissioner to accept plans for the first State House in Indiana. He also served as captain of the first militia company and the first fire company organized in town. Devoted to numerous charitable endeavors, Blake was president of the Benevolent Society for 35 years, helped organize the Indiana Colonization Society, established the first Sunday school in town and led its annual July 4th parade for 30 years, and promoted the cause of a state hospital for the insane. He also served as trustee of Hanover College, Miami University (Ohio), and Crown Hill Cemetery, and at his death was the Indiana commissioner for the erection of a monument honoring Indiana's Civil War soldiers who fought at Gettysburg. Sheryl D. Vanderstel
From the Book: The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis by David J. Bodenhamer, Robert Graham Barrows, page 325
Blake, James (Mar. 3, 1791-Nov. 26, 1870). Early settler, businessman, civic leader. A native of York County, Pennsylvania, and veteran of the War of 1812, Blake was a wagon driver in his home state. Moving in July, 1821, to Indianapolis, where he resided until his death, Blake capitalized on the ginseng trade and established several drying houses (one in Indianapolis) to process the root for shipment. From his arrival, Blake plunged into all aspects of in the capital city. He established a successful wholesale dry goods store, founded the Indianapolis Rolling Mill, was a partner in the Indianapolis Steam Mill Company (1828), and president of the Indiana Mutual Fire Insurance Company (1837-1855). He was a member of the first board of directors of the Madison and Indiana Railroad and a director of the Lafayette and Indianapolis Railroad. Though never elected to public office, Balke served as a commissioner to accept plans for the first State House in Indiana. He also served as captain of the first militia company and the first fire company organized in town. Devoted to numerous charitable endeavors, Blake was president of the Benevolent Society for 35 years, helped organize the Indiana Colonization Society, established the first Sunday school in town and led its annual July 4th parade for 30 years, and promoted the cause of a state hospital for the insane. He also served as trustee of Hanover College, Miami University (Ohio), and Crown Hill Cemetery, and at his death was the Indiana commissioner for the erection of a monument honoring Indiana's Civil War soldiers who fought at Gettysburg. Sheryl D. Vanderstel
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