Charles A. Blake Biography


	This biography appears on page 1777 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	CHARLES A. BLAKE, register of the United States land office at Huron, 
is a native of Port Washington, Wisconsin, where he was born August 20, 
1854. He is the son of Barnum and Christine Blake. He was educated in 
the Port Washington common schools, attended the Racine College and 
graduated from the academy at Winnetka, Illinois, and from Drew's 
Business College. He was a partner in the People's Bank of Chicago and 
also engaged in the coal business until 1878, when he became the Chicago 
correspondent of the New York Commercial Review, continuing in this 
position until he came to Dakota in 1882 and located at Wessington in 
the real-estate and insurance business. In 1890 he purchased the 
Wessington Times, which he still conducts. In 1898 he was appointed by 
President McKinley to his present position. Mr. Blake was always a 
Republican and has been prominent in party affairs during his long resi-
dence in South Dakota. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to the 
commandery and the Shrine, and is also a member of the Huron lodge of 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

	Mr. Blake was married, December 16, 1884, to Miss Minnie M. Barnes. 
They have four children, all excellent students in the Huron schools, 
George B., Ambrose B., Elma B. and Nellie M. The prominence which Mr. Blake 
has attained in the community is but a recognition of his integrity, ability 
and public spirit.