Bascombe Mitchell Blake

Bascombe Mitchell "B. M." or "Bass" Blake Sr. was born November 16, 1844, in Duncansville, Blair Co., PA, and died January 24, 1914, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA, at age 69. Buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona, Blair Co., PA. He is the son of Samuel Spencer Blake of Pennsylvania and Margaret Ann Yarlett of Pennsylvania. 

Margaret Jane "Jennie" Caldwell was born September 19, 1845, in Gaysport, Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., PA, and died January 18, 1923, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA, at age 77. Buried in Rose Hill Cemetery. She is the daughter of Thomas Caldwell of Ireland, and Ellamina Boggs of Pennsylvania. Buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona, Blair Co., PA.

Bascombe Mitchell "B. M." Blake Sr. and Margaret Jane "Jennie" Caldwell were married June 5, 1865, in Gaysport, Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., PA.

Bascombe Mitchell "B. M." Blake Sr. and Margaret Jane "Jennie" (Caldwell) Blake had nine children:

  1. Metilda Blake: Born Unknown in Pennsylvania; Died Unknown.
  2. Harry Elwood Blake: Born November 1867 in Altoona, Blair Co., PA; Died February 19, 1929, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA (age 61).
  3. William Howard Blake: Born June 19, 1869, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA; Died October 13, 1913, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA (age 44).
  4. Jennie Alberta Blake: Born December 4, 1870, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA; Died July 1963 in Erie, PA (age 92). Married November 20, 1890, at the residence of B. M. Blake, 1300 Fifth avenue, Altoona, Blair Co., PA, to Alexander Alloway.
  5. Minnie Ellamina Blake: Born September 13, 1872, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA; Died August 30, 1939, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA (age 66).
  6. Bascombe Mitchell Blake Jr.: Born March 16, 1875, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA; Died November 24, 1949, in Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, PA (age 74). Married August 19, 1896, in Blair Co., PA, to Mary M. Smith: Born March 26, 1875; Died Sunday Morning, February 13, 1944, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA (age 68).
  7. Samuel Webster Blake: Born December 23, 1876, in Duncansville, Blair Co., PA; Died October 11, 1939, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA (age 62).
  8. Anna Leura Blake: Born February 10, 1883, in the City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA; Died February 22, 1974, in Asheboro, NC (age 91). Married July 23, 1908, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA, to Charles Calvin Richards: Born about 1882 in Pennsylvania; Died Unknown.
  9. Natholia Pearl Blake: Born July 30, 1888, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA; Died November 29, 1971, in Washington, DC (age 83).

TIMELINE

Pen Pictures of Friends and Reminiscent Sketches, by J. N. Tillard, Altoona, PA: William F. Gable & Co., Mirror Press, 1911

He Has Moved The Town Along

B. M. BLAKE Has Changed The Scenery in Altoona by Moving Domiciles by The Wholesale - The City Improved With Every Move

ALTOONA was not the sort of a community that grew up in a night. While it has reached quite respectable proportions as a city during the last half-century, it has not many buildings that are fifty years old or that have reached that age without many changes. The city has been builded, for the most part, by toiling, frugal mechanics of small means, who builded, not as they would, but as they could.

The essentials of shelter and protection from the elements were the first consideration, and architectural effects were left for the development of more prosperous days. Having secured a building lot, the mechanic of long ago planned such a structure as would come within his limited means and at the same time afford an adequate living place for himself and family until such times as he could afford to make additions to his domicile.

The Altoona mechanic builded along safe lines and there was probably no other town in the country where so few real estate mortgages were foreclosed on account of the owner failing to meet payments. A good part of this conservative management was due to the excellent judgment displayed by the officials of local building associations, from whom most of the money for building purposes was borrowed. The men would not lend a greater amount of money on any building proposition than conservative business methods warranted, thereby saving at once the stockholders from loss and the builder from over-reaching himself.

As a result of this policy, the town, especially the East Side, was largely covered with small buildings, and when larger wealth came with the passing years, they stood in the way of improvements on valuable ground. But the frugal habits acquired by years of saving would not allow their owners to stand for their demolition, and they were either moved back on the same lot or transferred
to some other locality, not unfrequently some distance away.

This condition of affairs made an opening for a new industry and the men and the hour met when B. M. Blake, with Andrew Kipple as a silent but vigorous partner, went into the house-moving business. Mr. Blake was born in Duncansville in 1844, coming to this city in 1850, when the town was a very small place indeed. He has seen it develop from a series of frog ponds to what it is now,
and has had quite a little to do with its progress, as he has kept a section of it literally moving since 1875. He attended the earliest common schools established in the community, and when he got old enough, learned the carpenter trade and then went to work in the car shops. While there he was associated with Andrew Kipple, the foreman of the freight shop and boss wrecker, in the clearing up of the numerous smashups that occurred along the line of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

"Andy" Kipple was a master hand at performances of this sort and the wreck that he could not take the kinks out of without stopping a minute to think it over, was so hopeless that there was nothing left to do but apply the torch. Under such tutelage as this Mr. Blake learned a few tricks himself in the way of handling bulky bodies by the use of hydraulic jacks, screw jacks, fulcrum and
lever and block and fall. It was simply a matter of applying the power in the right place and the trick was done.

Sizing up the situation, Mr. Blake saw that the house-moving business in Altoona was going to develop into large proportions as the years went on, and providing himself with the proper equipment, he left the shops and became a professional house mover with his old boss as a contributing and consulting partner. Some time later, he bought Mr. Kipple's interest in the enterprise and conducted it alone.

Moving houses over the streets in the early days was a somewhat more difficult feat than it is now since so many cartways are paved, affording a smooth and solid track over which to roll the buildings. The hills and hollows were always here, but these have been much modified by grading and the deep ditches and chuck holes that garnished most of the streets twenty-five years ago, have disappeared. Mr. Blake without accident moved buildings up and down grades and across chasms in a way that was astonishing. There was no obstacle too great for him to overcome, though he frequently had to cut mighty close corners and do a lot of bridge work.

While a majority of the buildings he moved were of frame construction, and he only had to keep them steady enough to avoid breaking the plastering or throwing down the chimneys, he never hesitated to tackle solid brick walls if the job came his way. It was not unusual for him to move a dwelling with all the furniture in, the family performing all their usual functions of housekeeping
except firing the cook stove. He laid down a track of big timbers on as near a level as the character of the ground would permit; took the building off its foundations on rollers and heaved ahead. A continuous track was preserved by bringing the ground timbers forward and astonishing speed was made in the flitting.

Among his most famous exploits was the moving of the Fourth Ward School Building from Seventh Avenue and Fifteenth Street to Fourth Avenue and Eighteenth Street; the old McCormick homestead from Eighth Avenue and Fifteenth Street to Sixth Avenue between Sixteenth and Seventeenth Streets; and a number of small brick buildings. He raised the brick stack, one hundred feet high, at Aetna Furnace, sixteen feet and built a new base under it; raised wholesale the roof of the old Eleventh Avenue Opera House so that another story could be added and raised the roof of the Altoona Hospital for the same purpose. He moved the big brick building at the railroad station at Mt. Union, when the station was changed some years ago, and moved the hotel at Frugality.

Though he is not as young as he used to be, he is still at it, having taken out a permit a few days ago to move a building quite a distance over the East Side hills. He has surely done his part to keep the town moving in his time.

Besides doing a big lot of useful professional work, he has always been a good citizen from every point of view. He has discharged his civic duties with zeal and fidelity, though he has never been an active politician or an aspirant for public office. He was one of the founders and pillars of the Eighth Avenue Methodist Church, and was always the type of citizen who could be depended upon
to do his part for the common weal. When Johnstown was almost swept away by the flood of 1889, he went over there and his practical experience was of untold value in saving from the general ruin such dwellings as it was possible to put into serviceable condition.

He is now drawing toward the close of a long and busy life, and in the days to come there will scarcely be so much need of the peculiar skill he developed in this community for the reason that more substantial structures are being put up, but he has been a great factor in the community's life, and his numerous friends will join in wishing him many years of pleasant ease before he goes hence.

Bascombe Mitchell Blake was born November 16, 1844, in Duncansville, Allegheny Twp., Blair Co., PA.

Margaret Jane "Jennie" Caldwell was born September 19, 1845, in Gaysport, Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., PA.

The 1850 U. S. Census taken on October 26, 1850 shows Samuel Blake (age 40) born in Pennsylvania is a Spinner living in Allegheny Twp., Blair Co., PA. Living with him is Margaret Blake (age 34) born in Pennsylvania. Others in the household, all born in Pennsylvania, are: Emily Blake (age 23); Sarah Blake (age 17); Harriet A. Blake (age 12); Josephine Blake (age 9); Wilber B. Blake (age 7); Bascom Blake (age 5); Samuel B. Blake (age 3); and Charles E. Blake (age 6/12).

In late 1850 the family moved from Duncansville to Altoona, Blair Co., PA.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on June 9, 1860 shows Sam'l. Blake (age 50) born in Pennsylvania with personal estate worth $150 is a Car Builder living in North Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is Margaret Blake (age 44) born in Pennsylvania. Others in the household, all born in Pennsylvania, are: Weler B. Blake (age 17) a Car Builder's Apprentice; Bascom Blake (age 15); Sam'l. Blake (age 13); Charles E. Blake (age 6/12); and Howard Blake (age 4).

Bascombe Mitchell "B. M." Blake Sr. and Margaret Jane "Jennie" Caldwell were married June 5, 1865, in Gaysport, Hollidaysburg, Blair Co., PA.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 17, 1870 shows Bascom Blake (age 24) born in Pennsylvania with real estate worth $1,200 is a Carpenter living in the 4th Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is Jennie Blake (age 24) born in Pennsylvania, who is Keeping House. Also living there are children, all born in Pennsylvania: Harry Blake (age 3); and William Blake (age 1).

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 8, 1880 shows Baskom M. Blake (age 35) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a Carpenter living at 1302 5th Avenue, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife Margaret J. Blake (age 33) born in Pennsylvania to Ireland and Pennsylvania-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are their children, all born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents: Harry Blake (age 12); William Blake (age 10); Jennie Blake (age 9); Ellie Blake (age 7); Baskom Blake (age 5); and Samuel Blake (age 3).

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 5, 1900 shows Bascom M. Blake (age 54) born November 1845 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a Contractor and Builder renting his home at 1300 5th Avenue, 4th Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife of 32 years, Margaret J. Blake (age 54) born September 1845 in Pennsylvania to Irish and Pennsylvania-born parents, with all 8 of the children born to her still living. Also living there are their unmarried children, all born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents: Minnie E. Blake (age 27) born September 1872; Anna L. Blake (age 17) born May 1883; and Laticia Blake (age 12) born July 1887. Also living there is his unmarried cousin, Margaret K. Brown (age 35) born August 1864 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents, who is a Stenographer for a Lawyer. Harry E. Blake lives next door.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 5, 1900 shows Angeline Thompson (age 69) born August 1830 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a widow renting her home at 1302 5th Avenue, 4th Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with her is her unmarried son Milton S. Thompson (age 41) born December 1858 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents, who is a Machine Shop Laborer. Also living there are her son-in-law, Harry E. Blake (age 31) born November 1868 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents, who is a Machinist. Also her daughter who has been married 1 year with the only child born to her living, Mary E. Blake (age 26) born September 1875 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents. Also her granddaughter, Edna M. Blake (age 2/12) born April 1900 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents. A boarder also lives in the house.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 26, 1910 shows Bascombe Blake (age 65) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a Contractor owning his home with a mortgage and living at 1300 5th Avenue, 4th Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife of 43 years, Margaret Blake (age 64) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents, with all 8 of the children born to her still alive. Also living in the household are his two unmarried daughters, both born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents: Ella Blake (age 38); and Ethel Blake (age 21). Harry E. Blake lives next door.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 26, 1910 shows Bascombe Blake, Jr. (age 45) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a Carpenter renting his home and living at 1306 5th Avenue, 4th Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife of 13 years, Mary Blake (age 45) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents, with all 5 of the children born to her still alive. Also living in the household are his five children, all born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents: Bascombe Blake (age 13); Josephine Blake (age 11); Collins Blake (age 6); Charley Blake (age 4); and Audrey Blake (age 11/12).

Bascombe Mitchell Blake, Sr. died January 24, 1914, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA, at age 69. Buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona, Blair Co., PA.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 5, 1920 shows Margaret J. Blake (age 74) born in Pennsylvania to Unknown and Pennsylvania-born parents is a widow who owns his home free of a mortgage at 1300 5th Avenue, 4th Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with her is her unmarried daughter, Minnie E. Blake (age 47) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents. Margaret's unmarried cousin also lives there: Kate M. Brown (age 65) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents who is a Notary Public at her Own Office.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 5, 1920 shows Bascomb M. Blake (age 44) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a Contractor at his Own Home who owns his home free of a mortgage at 1306 5th Avenue, 4th Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife, Mary M. Blake (age 44) born in Pennsylvania to German and Pennsylvania-born parents. Also living there are his unmarried children, all born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents: Josephine E. Blake (age 21); a Wholesale Broker Stenographer; Collins R. Blake (age 16), a Shoe Store Clerk; Charles E. Blake (age 14), a Shoe Store Delivery Boy; Audrey N. Blake (age 10); and Margaret R. Blake (age 7).

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 5, 1920 shows Harry E. Blake (age 51) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a Machinist at the Pennsylvania Railroad Automatic Shop who rents his home at 1302 5th Avenue, 4th Ward, City of Altoona, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife, Mazie E. Blake (age 41) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents. Also living there are his unmarried children, all all born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents: Edna M. Blake (age 19); Margaretta E. Blake (age 13); and Harry E. Blake (age 9).

Margaret Jane "Jennie" (Caldwell) Blake died January 18, 1923, in Altoona, Blair Co., PA, at age 77. Buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Altoona, Blair Co., PA.

Margaret Jane "Jennie" (Caldwell) Blake Death Certificate.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 17, 1880 shows Samuel Blake (age 40) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents Works on the Rail Road, is Disabled, and living in Hopewell Twp., Huntingdon Co., PA. Living with him is his wife Mary A. Blake (age 34) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are their unmarried children, all born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents: Franklin Blake (age 15), a Laborer; Oliver Blake (age 13), a Laborer; Margaret A. Blake (age 10); Miles M. Blake (age 7); and Simon Blake (age 4). Also living there is Samuel's unmarried brother, Simon Blake (age 50) born in Pennsylvania, who Works on the Rail Road.

The 1890 Veterans Schedule shows Samuel had already died. She was living in Hopewell Twp., Huntington Co., PA.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 4, 1900 shows Mary Ann Blake (age 46) born August 1843 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a widow owning her own home free of a mortgage and living in Hopewell Twp., Huntingdon Co., PA, with 2 of the 6 children born to her still living. Living with her unmarried children, all born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents: Simon Blake (age 23) born October 1876, a Day Laborer; and Charles Blake (age 19) born June 1881, a Day Laborer. Some Putt families live nearby.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA, Saturday, July 23, 1904

Bascom Blake, Jr., of this city, while hitching up a horse yesterday afternoon, had his eye blackened. When reaching down in front of the animal to pick up some object, the horse raised up one of his fore feet, its knee striking him in the eye.

Bedford Gazette, Bedford, PA, Friday, January 27, 1905

George W. Putt, of Puttstown, died on Thursday of last week, aged 66 years, three months and 25 days. Mr. Putt was a carpenter by occupation. During his lifetime he filled a number of public offices, namely, election officer, census enumerator, tax collector and justice of the peace. For 28 years he was a member of the Church of God. His wife and the following children survive him: Henry, of Sharon; Miles, A. E., David and Andrew, Mrs. Mary Blake and Mrs. Lizzie E. Hollingshead, of Saxton. The funeral service was held on Saturday, Rev. F. W. McGuire officiating. Interment in the Feckler cemetery.

Bedford Gazette, Bedford, PA, Friday, January 19, 1917

Deeds Recorded

Geo. W. Enyeart et al to Mary A. Blake, lot in Saxton Borough; $300.

The Daily News, Huntingdon, PA, Monday, February 14, 1944

OBITUARY

Mrs. Mary M. Blake

Mrs. Mary M. (Smith) Blake, wife of Vascombe M. Blake, 1306 Fifth Avenue, Altoona, died at the family home, Sunday morning, Feb. 13, 1944, at 8:30 o'clock, after an extended illness. She was born March 26, 1875, a daughter of John and Rachel Smith, both deceased. Surviving are her husband and the following children; Vascombe M. Blake, Jr., Mrs. Joseph McElwee, Collins R. Blake, Charles E. Blake, Miss Audrey N. Blake, all of Altoona; Lt. Margaret R. Blake, A. N. C., serving aboard a hospital ship; two brothers; James Smith, Pittsburgh; Winfield Scott Meyers, Saxton; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Friends will be received at the family home after noon today. 

MARRIAGE: Alexander ALLOWAY to Jennie BLAKE, 1890, Blair County, PA

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Alloway - Blake.

At the residence of B. M. Blake, 1300 Fifth avenue, at 8 o'clock last evening, Rev. H. R. Bender, in the presence of a goodly company of relatives and friends, said the words which united for life the
fortunes of Mr. Alexander Alloway and Miss Jennie Blake. At the appointed hour the bride and groom, attended by Miss Lizzie Peightel and Mr. H. E. Blake entered the parlor to the music of the merry
wedding march, Miss Linda Hooper presiding at the organ, and in a very few minutes the ceremony was over and congratulations were in order. The lovely bride was attired in a gown of light blue silk, with pearl trimming, while the bridesmaid was dressed in blue silk. That is all we can say about the apparel; we're not strong in that direction. The bride is the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. M. Blake, and our young friend Alloway is to be congratulated upon the good fortune which has awarded him so valuable a matrimonial prize. The groom is the son of Mr. Samuel Alloway, of Sixth avenue and Thirteenth street, is an electrician in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad company, and having always been a good son will make a faithful husband. The happy couple left at 10.45 p.m. for Cleveland, Ohio, having first, with the guests, partaken of an elegant collation. They will be absent for a week and upon their return will settle down to housekeeping like old married people.  The TRIBUNE joins with their friends in extending cordial congratulations, with many wishes for a long and happy life. The bride received many valuable and useful presents.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Friday, November 21, 1890