Hamilton County IA Archives Biographies.....Blake, Gerald O. 1892 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Debbie Clough Gerischer Bare67deb@aol.com July 3, 2005, 2:21 am

Author: A Narrative History of The People of Iowa

A Narrative History
of
The People of Iowa

HON. GERALD O. BLAKE. In the career of Hon. Gerald O. Blake is proved the
fact that the man who is ambitious for success in the law must unreservedly
and unremittingly submit himself to the eternal work demanded by the most
jealous of all mistresses - the law, for he has not only risen to an enviable
position in private practice, but now holds that of assistant attorney general
of the State of Iowa, a high honor, an done in which he is proving his ability
in a marked degree.

The birth of Gerald O. Blake occurred at Hamilton, Iowa, April 8, 1892, and
he is a son of James M. and Minnie (Brown) Blake, both of whom were born in
Iowa. The father is deceased but the mother survives and resides at Webster
City, Iowa. A prominent attorney, he was engaged in the practice of his
profession at Webster City for forty years, and for three terms served as county
attorney, and at his death was dean of his calling. Only one child was born
to him and his wife. They attended religious services held by the
Universalists, and he was a member of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, the
Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. Always a Republican in politics, he
was active in his party, and one of its leaders locally. The paternal
grandfather, James Blake, was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, but moved to
Michigan, and in 1849 started for California, but stopped in Iowa and was so
pleased with conditions here that he abandoned his original intention and
remained here, becoming a prosperous farmer. The maternal grandfather, Sam H.
Brown, a native of Michigan, came to Iowa prior to the war between the states,
and devoted himself to mercantile pursuits.

Gerald O. Blake attended the public schools of Webster City, Wentworth
Military Academy, the University of Missouri and Drake University, and he was
admitted to the bar in 1923 and entered upon the practice of law at Des Moines,
in which he continued until his appointment as assistant attorney general
January 1, 1927.

On May 14, 1925, Mr. Blake married Miss Gertrude Levey, born at Des Moines
and educated in its schools, a daughter of Henry Levey, a furniture dealer.
Mr. and Mrs. Blake have no children. They attend the Episcopal Church, but
are not members of it. He belongs to the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons,
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Phi Delta Kappa Greek letter
fraternity. As he devotes all of his time and attention to the duties of his
office, Mr. Blake has found no opportunity for any outside distractions, nor
has he desired them, preferring to concentrate on professional work, although
there is no doubt but that he would succeed in almost anything he would care
to undertake, for he is a man of fine ability, painstaking and thorough, and
with a thorough grasp of the realities of life. It is a fine thing for the
state when young men of the caliber and attainments of Mr. Blake can be induced
to devote themselves to the work of the attorney general's office.


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