POPULAR MERCHANT ANSWERS SUMMONS

Alson H. Blake, dry goods merchant of Manchester, passed away on Monday morning, May 2nd, 1921, following an illness of three days. Funeral services are being held at the old home this afternoon, at 2:30, with Rev. H. L. Goughnour, pastor of the First Congregational church, in charge. Interment will be to Oakland cemetery.

Mr. Blake was born in West Milton, Vermont, October 14th, 1840. His early life was spent on the old home farm in Vermont. As a young man he enlisted in Co. F. 9th Vermont Volunteer Infantry. Few men in the Union army suffered greater hardships than did Mr. Blake He was captured by the Confederates on February 2nd, 1864, at New Port, N. C., and for fifteen months he was a prisoner. Eleven of these fifteen months were spent in Andersonville prison, and only a very small per cent of the men ever lived to seer the end of the war, many dying from the horrible treatment given them.

On September 31st, 1865, Mr. Blake was united in marriage with Miss Frankie Granger, who was also a native of West Milton, Vermont. In February 1867, Mr. and Mrs. Blake came to Iowa, locating at Volga City, where he engaged in the merchantile trade. In 1875 Mr. Blake came to Manchester, and engaged in the Commission business, buying and shipping poultry, eggs and butter. Mr. Blake shipped four car loads of butter in ten days in June 1877, and in August and September of the same year he shipped 50,000 dozen eggs to the New York market. After some years of successful Commission business, Mr. Blake and Charles Amsden engaged in the banking business under the firm name of Blake & Amsden. Later he formed a partnership with his son William C. Blake and the firm for some time conducted a grocery 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 Manchester, and has been a member of the Board of directors since its organization. For many years he has been vice president of the bank. Not only was he a capable business man, but he also took his part in the activities 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 a 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 Haverman and Mrs. J. W. Tolmie of Cedar Rapids.

In the passing of Mr. Blake this community loses one of its most upright 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 traveled life's 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 a land where there shall be no parting.

Manchester Democrat - Manchester, Iowa - May 4, 1921

POPULAR MERCHANT ANSWERS SUMMONS

Alson H. Blake, dry goods merchant of Manchester, passed away on Monday morning, May 2nd, 1921, following an illness of three days. Funeral services are being held at the old home this afternoon, at 2:30, with Rev. H. L. Goughnour, pastor of the First Congregational church, in charge. Interment will be to Oakland cemetery.

Mr. Blake was born in West Milton, Vermont, October 14th, 1840. His early life was spent on the old home farm in Vermont. As a young man he enlisted in Co. F. 9th Vermont Volunteer Infantry. Few men in the Union army suffered greater hardships than did Mr. Blake He was captured by the Confederates on February 2nd, 1864, at New Port, N. C., and for fifteen months he was a prisoner. Eleven of these fifteen months were spent in Andersonville prison, and only a very small per cent of the men ever lived to seer the end of the war, many dying from the horrible treatment given them.

On September 31st, 1865, Mr. Blake was united in marriage with Miss Frankie Granger, who was also a native of West Milton, Vermont. In February 1867, Mr. and Mrs. Blake came to Iowa, locating at Volga City, where he engaged in the merchantile trade. In 1875 Mr. Blake came to Manchester, and engaged in the Commission business, buying and shipping poultry, eggs and butter. Mr. Blake shipped four car loads of butter in ten days in June 1877, and in August and September of the same year he shipped 50,000 dozen eggs to the New York market. After some years of successful Commission business, Mr. Blake and Charles Amsden engaged in the banking business under the firm name of Blake & Amsden. Later he formed a partnership with his son William C. Blake and the firm for some time conducted a grocery 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 Manchester, and has been a member of the Board of directors since its organization. For many years he has been vice president of the bank. Not only was he a capable business man, but he also took his part in the activities 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 a 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 Haverman and Mrs. J. W. Tolmie of Cedar Rapids.

In the passing of Mr. Blake this community loses one of its most upright 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 traveled life's 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 a land where there shall be no parting.

Manchester Democrat - Manchester, Iowa - May 4, 1921