Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Blake, William Lawrence 1890 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com April 29, 2006, 4:59 pm

Author: History of Grundy County IL 1914

Blake, William Lawrence - The world has awakened to the necessity of sanitary 
regulations regarding the handling and sale of food stuffs, and the people are 
showing a decided preference for those establishments which have a proper 
regard to these rules. One of the men who has built up a large trade and 
attained to considerable prosperity along modern lines is William Lawrence 
Blake, owner of a meat market at Gardner, Ill., and dealer in canned goods.  
His establishment is one of the best in Grundy County, and he takes a pride in 
keeping it up to the highest standards. That his customers appreciate his care 
for them, his sales show conclusively.

William L. Blake was born in Gardner in 1890, a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Sandwick) Blake. The father was a native of Wales and came to this country 
from there, locating first at Braceville, Ill., where he became a miner and 
differ of coal. Later he came to Gardner where he continued this kind of work 
until his death in 1903. His widow survives him and is making her home at 
Gardner. These parents had seven children: Tonis John, who is deceased; 
William Lawrence; twins, who died in infancy; William, who is a schoolteacher; 
and Eva and Joe.

Growing up at Gardner, Mr. Blake attended its public schools, and worked at 
different kinds of employment until 1909 when he opened his present business, 
which he has developed to satisfactory proportions. In 1909 he married Stella 
Simms of South Wilmington, Ill., and they have two children: Lois Janetta, and 
William Lawrence. Mr. Blake is very liberal in his political views, not caring 
to attach himself definitely to any one party. Although one of the youngest 
business men of Gardner, he is one of the best, and his live, progressive 
methods have been productive of many improvements in the town, his example 
leading others to change their mode of operation. It is such men as Mr. Blake 
who develop a community and lead capitalists to invest their money in it.

page 768

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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