JOHN WILLIAM BLAKE - Biography

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Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 550-553

JOHN WILLIAM BLAKE, one of the best-known citizens of Reedsburg, Sauk County 
[WI], and for many years one of the most prominent newspaper men in this 
section of the state, is a native of England, his birth having occurred in 
South Moulton, Devonshire, 27 Mar 1834. His parents, Philip and Mary (MAY) 
BLAKE, also natives of Devonshire, emigrated to America in 1849, bringing 
with them their family. For a short time they made their home in Columbus 
[Columbia County], WI, and then removed to Baraboo [Sauk County, WI], where 
the father followed his trade of shoemaking. He had been extensively engaged 
in business along that line in Chumleigh, England, prior to coming to this 
country. He died in Lemonweir, Juneau County, WI, in the spring of 1851, at 
the age of 38. His wife long survived him, dying at Baraboo [Sauk County, 
WI], 28 Oct 1896, at the ripe old age of 84.

The greater part of the early education of our subject was obtained in the 
schools of his native land. In 1851 he began learning the printer's trade in 
the office of the "Sauk County Standard," at Baraboo, the first publication 
of the county, and then but recently established. He afterward brought 
material from Portage for equipping the office of the Baraboo "Republic," in 
which he was employed most of the time until 1862, when he purchased a half 
interest in the same, becoming sole proprietor 18 months later and publishing 
the paper until 1865. Subsequently he was interested in the "Independence 
Bulletin," of Independence [Buchanan County], IA, and was connected with the 
"Baraboo Independent," published by Col. D. K. NOYES. On 01 Jul 1878, in 
company with J. H. POWERS, he purchased the "Reedsburg Free Press," but his 
partner retired from the business 16 months later and Mr. BLAKE continued the 
publication of the paper alone until Apr 1893, when he sold it to W. F. HILL.

On 13 Nov 1856 Mr. BLAKE wedded Miss Mary E. AMBLER, a native of Hillsdale 
[Hillsdale County], MI, and a daughter of Jacob AMBLER. She died at Baraboo 
[Sauk County, WI] on 08 May 1889, at the age of 52 years. Three children 
were born of this union: (1) Nettie M., now the wife of Arthur M. WELLS, of 
Baraboo; (2) Philip A., deceased; and (3) Louis C., a resident of Fullerton 
[Orange County], CA. Mr. BLAKE was again married 28 Apr 1894, his second 
union being with Mrs. Ellen Adelia (JONES) REID, a daughter of William B. and 
Mary A. JONES, of Barnstable, England, and the children born of this marriage 
are (1) John Perkins, (2) Charles and (3) Harold Lawton.

Socially Mrs. BLAKE affiliates with the Masonic fraternity and the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is the secretary of Reedsburg City 
Lodge, No. 108, I. O. O. F., and a member of Northwestern Encampment, No. 20, 
at Baraboo. Politically he has always been identified with the Republican 
party and he has been honored with several important positions, having served 
as county register two terms, town treasurer of Baraboo several terms, and 
assessor of Reedsburg for the past three years. A [p 553] public-spirited 
and progressive citizen, he has given his support to all measures for the 
public good. Over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong; his public 
service has been most exemplary; and his private life has been marked by the 
utmost fidelity to duty.