Plat Map of Martinsburg, Blair Co., PA.

The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Blair Co., PA, Thursday, February 7, 1884

ROARING SPRING RIPPLES.

James Blake, Sr., of Martinsburg, in the employment of Morrison Bare & Cass as blacksmith, had his ankle crushed by accidentally slipping on the ice while passing a loaded wagon of linwood, the rear wheel of the wagon passing over his ankle. The hurt was painful. Dr. Stayer dressed his wound.

The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Blair Co., PA, Thursday, July 5, 1888

MARTINSBURG MATTERS.

James Blake, the old past grand Odd Fellow in membership, has been chosen chief marshal for to-morrow's Fourth of July parade.

Morrisons Cove Herald, Martinsburg, Blair Co, PA, Thursday, July 9, 1896

JAMES BLAKE, SR.

Death of An Aged and Respected Citizen.

Death again claimed for his victim one of our oldest and well known citizens, James Blake, sr., who died at his residence, on North Market street, at 2:30 o'clock, this Thursday morning, from an attack of pleuro-pneumonia, aged 76 years, 9 months and 21 days. The subject of this sketch was the oldest son of Rev. Burdine Blake, one of the pioneer Methodist preachers of Morrison's cove, whose wife was Miss Maizy Simpson, one of the early families of Maryland. Mr. Blake was born in the state of Maryland, September 18, 1819, and came with his parents to this place in 1820, and he was therefore the oldest male resident of Martinsburg. When quite a young man yet, he was apprenticed to the trade of a blacksmith and soon became a good workman. After the completion of his trade he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ellen Brown, at the residence of John Funk, at Duncansville, on the 15th day of March 1844, who shared with him his life's joys' and sorrows, and who survives him, having herself reached a good old age.

When our nation was threatened by the hands of traitors, and the call to arms came, Mr. Blake offered his services in defense of his country by enlisting in the Eighty-Fourth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served from September 1862 to July 1865, until the close of the Rebellion. After the war he again resumed his trade, and resided here ever since. A number of years ago by reason of failing sight and diseases incident to army life, he was compelled to retire from his trade. Father Blake was probably one of the oldest Odd Fellows in Blair county, if not in this section of the state, and was a charter member of Roaring Spring Lodge No. 445, of this place. He was also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a member of a Masonic lodge at Hollidaysburg.

Some years, before the war, Mr. Blake united with the Church of God, but a number of years after, probably under the pastorate of Rev. Lepky, he transferred his membership to the Methodist Episcopal church. And this, with an abiding faith in his Resurrection, he passed away with a fixed hope of blissful immortality beyond. Mr. Blake was the father of fifteen children, six having died in infancy. Besides his widow, he is survived by six sons and three daughters: John W., of Altoona; James, jr. , and U. S. G., of San Pit, Colorado; Rev. W. P., of Emahaka, I. T.; Burdine, and M. F. of this place, and the Misses Mary and Alice, at home. Funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon in the M. E. church and interment will be made in Fairview cemetery.

The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Blair Co.,  PA, Friday, July 10, 1896

JAMES BLAKE, SR.

Died Yesterday Morning at His Home in Martinsburg Borough.

Our Martinsburg correspondent writes as follows: James Blake, sr., after lingering some twelve days with an attack of pleuro-pneumonia, died at his home on North Market street at 2:35 o'clock this (Thursday) morning, surrounded by his family, aged 76 years, 9 months and 21 days. The deceased was the eldest son of Rev. Burdine and Maizy Ann Blake, and was born in the state of Maryland September 19, 1819, and came to this place with his parents in the early spring of 1820, so that he was the oldest resident in this village. In early manhood he was apprenticed to the trade of a blacksmith and became master of his art, so that the patrons of his shop were more than he could accommodate in those crude days of the tradesman. After completing his apprenticeship he started up shop for himself and on March 14, 1844, was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ellen Brown, at the residence of John Funk, in Duncansville, by John M. Giboney, esq., who shared the joys and sorrows that entered into this make up of his life until the ending. At the breaking out of the late rebellion Mr. Blake, influenced by love of country and that his country's laws and institutions might be maintained and perpetuated, enlisted in the war and was assigned to company H, eighty-fourth regiment, Pennsylvania volunteers, where he served with honor to himself and to his country. Returning to his home he again engaged in business until failing eyesight and the disease incident to army life preyed upon the physical nature, compelling him to retire from his vocation, and upon application was placed upon the pension rolls at Washington. The deceased was a member of Peter Schuman post No. 574, Grand Army of the Republic, and was a charter member of Roaring Spring lodge No. 445, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a member of a Masonic order in Hollidaysburg. He was a believer in the truths of the Bible, as well as in the great plan of salvation as contained in the revealed Word, so that many years ago, in accordance with his faith, he united with the Church of God, but in later years transferred his membership to the Methodist Episcopal church in this place. During the late semi-centennial he joined with his comrades once more in line and contracted a severe cold, which led to his final sickness, during which time he suffered much, yet he never faltered in his faith and realized that life was flowing out into vast eternity. He was resigned and patiently waited until life's last hour had fled and calmly went to sleep and rest. He is survived by Mrs. Blake, his widow, and six sons and three daughters: John W., of Altoona; James, jr., and U. G. of Sawpit, Col.; W. Packer, of Emahaka, I. T.; M. F., of this village; Mrs. Charlotte J. McCready, of Duncansville; Burdine, Misses Mary and Alice J., at home. Rev. Packer W. Blake, who has been a missionary among the Indians in the far west for some twelve years, had arranged for a visit  to the old homestead to spend a pleasant time midst the scenes of other days. He, together with his wife and four children, arrived home on Tuesday evening and was permitted to be present and see the light of his father's lamp flicker and go out into the vast beyond. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10 a.m., in the Methodist Episcopal church.

The Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Blair Co.,  PA, Friday, July 10, 1896

JAMES BLAKE, SR.

The oldest resident of Martinsburg died of pleuro pneumonia, the result of a cold contracted during the semi-centennial, at his home in that place, at 2:35 o'clock yesterday morning. The deceased was born in Maryland, September 18, 1819, and removed to Martinsburg with his parents in 1820. He was a blacksmith and ran a shop of his own until too old to attend to the business. He served in Company H, Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania volunteers, during the war, and was a member of Peter Schuman Post No. 574, G.A.R. He was also a member of Roaring Spring lodge No. 445, I.O.O.F., and the Hollidaysburg lodge of Masons. On March 14, 1844, he married Miss Margaret E. Brown in Duncansville. She survives him, as do the following sons and daughters: John W., of Altoona; James, Jr., and U. G. of Sawpit, Col.; W. Packer, of Emahaka, I. T.; M. F., of Martinsburg; Mrs. Charlotte J. McCready, of Duncansville; Burdine, Misses Mary and Alice J., at home. Rev. Packer W. Blake has been a missionary among the Indians in the far west for some twelve years. He together with his wife and four children, arrived at home on Tuesday evening. Mr. Blake was a member of the Church of God until a few years ago, when he became a Methodist. The funeral will take place at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning; services to be conducted in the Methodist church.

The Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA, Thursday, May 10, 1906

MILLARD F. BLAKE, A prominent resident of Blair county and a brother of John W. Blake of this city, died at his home in Martinsburg at 6:15 o'clock Tuesday evening. His death primarily resulted from a sunstroke he received several years ago, which terminated in nervous prostration. Mr. Blake was a mechanic of reputation and of an inventive turn of mind, having been the patentee of improvements in dumping cars, truss rods, etc, and the inventor of the car, the patent of which is in litigation in our courts with the Pennsylvania railroad company. He was born on January 15, 1856, being a son of James (deceased) and Margaret Ellen Blake. His entire life was spent in Martinsburg and he died in the house in which he was born. He is survived by his wife and the following sons and daughter: Roland, who is a soldier in the United States army,, now serving in the Philippines; Walter, in the government service, and at present located at Denver, Col.; Colonel James, at home, and Edith and Myra, both of whom are married. He is also survived by the following brothers and sisters: John W. of Altoona, Rev. William P. Blake of Indian Territory, U. S. Grant Blake of Emporia, Kan., James of Montana, Mrs. Dr. McCready and Mrs. Alice Wegan of Duncansville, Mary and Burdine Blake of Martinsburg. Funeral services were conducted at the late residence this afternoon at 2 o'clock by Rev. E. H. Smith.

The Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA, February 2, 1910

MARTINSBURG.

Mrs. Mary Blake is lying dangerously ill at her home on North Market street. Mrs. Blake is the mother of John W. Blake of Altoona.

The Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA, Wednesday, March 2, 1910

MARTINSBURG.

Rev. W. P. Blake of Oklahoma arrived in town Monday. He came because of the illness of Mrs. Blake of North Market street, whose condition is not improving.

Margaret Ellen (Brown) Blake Death Certificate.

The Altoona Tribune, Altoona, Blair Co., PA, Tuesday, September 6, 1910

Deaths of a Day

Mrs. Margaret Ellen Blake

At 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, at her home in Martinsburg, Mrs. Margaret Ellen Blake, relict of James Blake, and mother of John W. Blake, the well known politician of this city, died from a complication of diseases superinduced by advanced age. Mrs. Blake was one of that town's oldest inhabitants, being born at Laurel Hills, Cambria county, February 11, 1827, and was a daughter of Alexander and Hannah Brown. Early in life she was converted and together with a number of older residents, joined the Winebrenarian church, now the Church of God. She was one of the contemporary women who resided in the lower section of Martinsburg in the 40s and 50s, the others being Mrs. Joseph Ackers, Mrs. John Straesser, mother of Charles Straesser, postmaster of the town, and Mrs. Henry Kepperly, the last named alone surviving. All four were of about the same age and all reared large families, which are scattered all over the United States. Mrs. Blake was the mother of fifteen children, seven of whom survive, as follows: John W., of this city; Berdine and Mrs. Mary Ridenour, at home; Mrs. Alice Wogan, of Duncansville; James Blake, jr., of Goldfield, Nev.; U. S. Grant, of Fredonia, Kas., and Rev. William Packer Blake, of Shawnee, Okla. Another son, Millard Fillmore Blake, who several years ago gained considerable prominence by the innovation of a dumping freight car, died several years ago. Quite a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive. The two pairs of twins of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Blake, of 1016 Fourth avenue, are great-grandchildren. The husband, James lake, died in 1896. He was the son of Berdine Blake, a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who in the early days of the denomination in Morrison's Cove was widely known because of his fervent eloquence. He, with his two sons, John W. and Berdine, saw hard service during the civil war. The two grandsons of the deceased, Walter and Roland Blake, served in the Philippine war, the latter now being in the United States army. The funeral will take place on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock, the services to be conducted at the Church of God and interment to be made in Fairview cemetery, near Martinsburg.

Morrisons Cove Herald, Martinsburg, Blair Co, PA, Thursday, September 9, 1910

MRS. MARGARET ELLEN BLAKE

At an Advanced Age Died Sunday Afternoon at Her Home On North Market Street After an Illness of Several Months.

At 1:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon, at her home on North Market street, Mrs. Margaret Ellen Blake, relict of James Blake, and mother of John W. Blake, the well known politician of Altoona, died from a complication of diseases superinduced by advanced age. Mrs. Blake was one of the town's oldest inhabitants, being born at Laurel Hill, near Armagh, Cambria county, February 11, 1827, and was a daughter of Alexander and Hannah Brown. Early in life she was converted and together with a number of older residents, united with the Church of God. She was one of the contemporary women who resided in South Martinsburg in the 40s and 50s, the others being Mrs. Joseph Akers, Mrs. John Straesser, mother of Charles Straesser, postmaster, and Mrs. Henry Kepperly, the last named alone surviving. All four women were about the same age and all reared large families, which are scattered all over the United States.

Mrs. Blake was the mother of fifteen children, seven of whom survive as follows: John W., of Altoona; Burdine and Mrs. Mary Ridenour, at home; Mrs. Alice Wogan, of Duncansville; James Blake, jr., of Goldfield, Nev.; U. S. Grant Blake, of Fredonia, Kas., and Rev. William Packer Blake, of Shawnee, Okla. Another son, Millard Fillmore Blake, who several years ago gained considerable prominence by the innovation of a dumping freight car, died several years ago. The following named grandsons from out of town were among those who were present at the funeral: Lloyd, David and John R. McCready of Duncansville, and George McCreay of Expedit, Cambria county. William P. McCready of Black Diamond, Washington, was unable to attend. These five grandsons are children of Mrs. Jennie McCready, a daugher of Mrs. Margaret Ellen Blake, and wife of the late Andrew McCready, formerly a physician of this place, and later at Duncansville.

The husband, James Blake, died in 1896. He was the son of Burdine Blake, a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who in the early days of that denomination in Morrison's Cove was widely known because of his fervent eloquence. James Blake with his two sons, John W. and Burdine, saw hard service during the civil war. The two grandsons of the deceased, Walter and Roland Blake, served in the Philippine war, the latter now being in the United States army. Her funeral took place yesterday morning at 10 0'clock when services were held in the Church of God, conducted by Rev. B. B. Wenger. Interment followed in Fairview cemetery.