Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Blades, Lewis M. 1857 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 26, 2007, 8:47 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) LEWIS M. BLADES. Lewis M. Blades is one of the most progressive and public spirited citizens of Bartholomew county, active in business, energetic in public affairs and helpful in many movements pertaining to the general good. His connection with farming and stock-raising interests has brought him prosperity, and he is also one of the stockholders and directors of the Citizens National Bank of Hope. He is likewise serving as trustee of Haw Creek township and his aid and co-operation are given to every measure destined to prove of permanent benefit to the locality. Prominent and influential, he certainly deserves representation in this volume. Lewis M. Blades was born in Bartholomew county on the 15th of March, 1857, and is a son of John C. and Sarah A. (Alley) Blades. The paternal grandparents of the subject removed from their old home in Virginia to Indiana, settling in Franklin county, where John C. Blades was born and reared. He received but limited school privileges, but observation and experience and reading added to the sum of his information until he became a well informed man. He married Miss Sarah Alley, who was also a native of Franklin county, where their wedding was celebrated. They were in limited circumstances when they started out upon their domestic life, but possessed courageous hearts and strong determination. Her father had entered the land upon which the subject now resides and, locating on this farm, Mr. and Mrs. Blades established their home, living in primitive style until their labors enabled them to gain more of the comforts of life. In 1859 Mr. Blades erected the brick residence which is still standing, and occupied this home until 1883, when he removed to Hope, where he spent his remaining days. For fifty years he was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a most worthy exemplar of the craft, closely following its beneficent teachings. He gave his political allegiance to the Republican party and was a devoted member of the Christian church, holding membership with the* congregation in Milford until his removal to Hope, when he joined the church in the latter place. He was generous in his contributions to its support and active in its work, and his life was guided by its teaching and principles. He passed away February 13, 1898, in his eighty-fourth year, and thus closed a most honorable career, in which fidelity to duty was ever paramount among his salient characteristics. His widow died May 7, 1903, in her eighty-first year. Their marriage was blessed with five daughters and two sons, of whom four daughters and one son are still living, as follows: Mary A., who is the widow of J. W. Fullwider and a resident of this county; Lucinda, the wife of John H. Ketner, of Haw Creek township; Lena, the wife of P. H. Transou, of Richmond; Hester A., the wife of William Fix, whose home is in Haw Creek township. The only son is Lewis M. Blades. The home farm was the playground of his youth and also the training ground upon which he prepared for the practical and responsible duties of a business career. At the usual age he entered the district school near his home. there pursuing his studies until he attained the age of seventeen years, when he became a student in Hartsville Seminary, where he completed a two-years course. In the summer months he had assisted in the work of the home farm, and on completing his education he returned to the old homestead to take up the work of caring for and improving the property. At the age of twenty-six years he began buying and shipping stock and followed that continuously for seven years, finding it a profitable business venture. He made considerable money in that way and then continued general farming and stock feeding, in which he has since been engaged. He is justly accounted one of the leading agriculturists of this community, for his success demonstrates his correct business methods and sound judgment. He is also an original stockholder and director in the Citizens National Bank of Hope, and his financial possessions reach a very creditable and satisfactory figure. On the 1st of November, 1882, Mr. Blade was joined in wedlock to Miss Laura A. Girton, who was born near Flat Rock, in Shelby county, daughter of Hon. Christopher and Melinda (Bake) Girton, both natives of Ohio, settling in Indiana a young couple. He was a farmer and grain dealer at Shelbyville and a prominent man in public affairs, serving as county commissioner, trustee, representative in the state legislature and specially active as promoter and manager of the Shelby County Fair. Both are now deceased. She is a lady of culture and superior education, having pursued her studies in the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. By her marriage she has become the mother of four sons and a daughter: Clint G., who is a high school graduate of Hope; Murray K.; Herschel A.; Frank Warren, who died at eighteen months; and Melissa Mildred. The parents are devoted members of the Hartsville Christian church and Mr. Blades is a member of the Masonic lodge of Hope, in which he is a past master. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Improved Order of Red Men, at Hope, and in these various fraternal organizations is held in high esteem by his brethren, by reason of his fidelity to the precepts of the orders and because of his social, genial nature and cordial disposition. In politics he is an ardent Republican, having been active in the party even before attaining his majority. In 1900 he was elected to the office of trustee, in which capacity he is now capably serving. He has ever discharged his duties with marked ability and fairness, for he is a loyal, public spirited citizen. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods. In everything he has been eminently practical, and this has been manifest not only in his business undertakings but also in social and private life. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/blades778gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 6.8 Kb