Biographical Sketch of Norton Blake, Center Township, Buchanan 
County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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Norton Blake, farmer and stock raiser, section 5, post office St.
Joseph, was born March 14, 1818 in Livingston County, New York.  His
parents were natives of Connecticut, and moved to New York State about
1800.  Norton spent his boyhood days on a farm and received a common
school education.  When thirteen years of age he moved with his parents
to Sandusky County, Ohio, resided there two years, and then emigrated
to DeKalb County, Indiana, where he remained thirty years engaged in
agricultural pursuits.  During the late war he assisted in organizing
the Thirtieth and Forty fourth Regiments and Company H of the Eighty
eighty Indiana Infantry; also Company M of the Second Indiana Cavalry;
his brother became captain of this company.  Norton was appointed as
wagon master of the commissary department, but his health failing he
was compelled to resign this position.  His only son, Judson, became
a member of the Second Indiana Cavalry, and had his right shoulder
shattered while fighting against John Morgan in Tennessee.  He came
home and remained a few months, when he re-enlisted in the Eighth 
Illinois Cavalry and served until the close of the war, serving with
General Sheridan.  In 1863, our subject took a trip west, and visited
St. Joseph, Atchison, Topeka and other places.  During 1864 he worked
at the carpenters trade in Chicago, and held the position of foreman 
of the West Side Street Car Company.  He emigrated to Andrew County,
Missouri in 1865 and from there to St. Joseph in 1867.  He remained
there three years and then moved to his present location.  He owns a
fine farm of 165 acres, which is very highly improved.  The out build-
ings are well arranged and everything around his place denotes neatness
and a successful farmer.  He has about fifteen hundred fruit trees and
a small vineyard.  He has been twice married, first, March 9, 1843, to
Miss H. A. Holmes, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, born May 21, 1826
she died in November, 1863, leaving three children: Judson, born March
22, 1844; Lucy E., born April 27, 1846; and G. J., born August 4, 1850,
and now Mrs. William Bealey.  He was again married, December 18, 1866
to Miss Mary Thompson, a resident of St. Joseph, born March 21, 1839,
in County Tire, Ireland.  They have had one child, Sarah I., now Mrs.
Robert I. Young.  Mrs. Blake is a member of the Westminster Church of
St. Joseph.  Mr. Blake is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs
to King Hill Lodge.

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