William Simpkins Blake

William Simpkins Blake was born April 25, 1821, in Morrison's Cove, Bedford (now Blair) Co., PA, and died June 8, 1899, in Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL, at age 78. Buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL. He is the son of Burdine Blake Sr. of Washington Co., MD, and Mazey Ann Simpkins of Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD. 

Catharine "Kate" Gearhart was born October 28, 1824, in Beaver Creek, Washington Co., MD, and died December 22, 1903, in Colfax, Washington Twp., Jasper Co., IA, at age 79. Buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL. She is the daughter of Daniel Gearhart and Elizabeth Mong. Daniel and Elizabeth were married February 21, 1820, in Washington Co., MD.

William Simpkins Blake and Catharine "Kate" Gearhart were married May 18, 1843, in Blair Co., PA.

William Simpkins Blake and Catharine "Kate" (Gearhart) Blake had eight children:

  1. Albert McClay Blake: Born March 14, 1844, in North Woodberry Twp., Blair Co., PA; Died before 1850 in North Woodberry Twp., Blair Co., PA.
  2. Clara E. Blake: Born September 27, 1845, in North Woodberry Twp., Blair Co., PA; Died before 1850 in North Woodberry Twp., Blair Co., PA.
  3. Robert Blake: Born about 1846 in North Woodberry Twp., Blair Co., PA; Died 1850-1860 in North Woodberry Twp., Blair Co., PA.
  4. John Wilbur P. Blake: Born September 19, 1847, in North Woodberry Twp., Blair Co., PA; Died November 5, 1853 (age 6).
  5. Laura Catharine Blake: Born November 29, 1849, in Martinsburg, Blair Co., PA; Died May 21, 1931, in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR (age 81). Buried in Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, Multnomah Co., OR. Married March 17, 1869, in Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD, to George Scott Kennedy: Born February, 1847, in Boonsboro, Washington Co., MD; Died August 6, 1932, in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR (age 84). Buried in Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, Multnomah Co., OR.
  6. Millard Fillmore Blake: Born March 24, 1855, in Beaver Creek, Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD; Died October 1, 1939, in Mt. Morris Twp., Ogle Co, IL (age 84). Buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL. Married February 2, 1879, in Ogle Co., IL, to Eugenia "Jennie" Angel: Born December 22, 1858, in Maryland; Died January 26, 1896, in the Village of Mount Morris, Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL (age 37). Buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL.
  7. William G. "Willie" Blake: Born December 21, 1856, in Beaver Creek, Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD; Died August 15, 1863, in Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD (age 6).
  8. Franklin Gearhart Blake: Born July 29, 1861, in Beaver Creek, Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD; Died March 22, 1944, in Los Angeles, Orange Co., CA (age 84). Buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), Glendale, Los Angeles Co., CA. Married about 1888 in Unknown to Lena C. Lain: Born June 14, 1869, in New York, Died February 20, 1950, in Los Angeles Co., CA (age 80).

TIMELINE

The following are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL: Arnold Blake; Carrie Blake; Galen R. Blake; Guy and Lillian Blake; Harold Blake; Harold son Blake; Kathryn W. Blake; Lillian Blake; MF Jennie Blake; Millard F. and Jennie A. Blake; Willis G. Blake; and William and Catherine Blake.

William Simpkins Blake was born April 25, 1821, in Morrison's Cove, Bedford (now Blair) Co., PA.

Catharine Gearhart was born October 28, 1824, in Beaver Creek, Washington Co., MD.

William Simpkins Blake and Catharine "Kate" Gearhart were married May 18, 1843, in Blair Co., PA.

The 1850 U. S. Census taken on August 19, 1850, shows William Blake (age 28) born in Pennsylvania is a Farmer living in North Woodberry Twp., Blair Co., PA. Living with him is Cathn. Blake (age 25) born in Pennsylvania. Also living there are: Robert Blake (age 4) born in Pennsylvania; and Mary Blake (age 10/12) born in Pennsylvania. Also in the household is: Saml Leaters Blake (age 11) born in Pennsylvania. Living nearby are the Breneman families, including Henry Breneman and his wife, Mazean Breneman, who is Mazey Ann Blake, sister of William Simpkins Blake.

Mr. and Mrs. Blake resided in Pennsylvania until 1853, when they went to Washington Co., Md., and Mr. Blake operated there as a farmer until 1869.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on July 11, 1860, shows William Blake (age 38) born in Pennsylvania is a Farmer with personal estate worth $1,000 is living in Funkstown Dist., Washington Co., MD. Living with him is Catharine Blake (age 36) born in Maryland. Also living there are their children: Laura Blake (age 10) born in Pennsylvania; Fillmore Blake (age 5) born in Maryland; and William Blake (age 3) born in Maryland. A farm laborer also lives in the household.

In 1869, William and Catharine Blake removed to Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL.

In 1870, William Simpkins Blake purchased a farm of 120 acres in Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 22, 1870, shows William S. Blake (age 49) born in Maryland is a Farmer with Real Estate value of $6,000 living in Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL. Living with him is his wife Catherine Blake (age 47) born in Maryland. Also living there are their sons, both born in Maryland: Millard L. Blake (age 15), and Francis G. Blake (age 9).

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 23, 1870, shows George S. Kennedy (age 21) born in Maryland is a Stone Mason living in Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL. Living with him is Laura Kennedy (age 19) born in Maryland who Keeps House. Also living there is Carrie S. Kennedy (age 6/12) born in Illinois.

The History of Ogle County, Illinois, 1878

BLAKE, WILLIAM S. Farmer; Sec. 28; P. O. Mount Morris; his homestead consists of 120 acres, valued at $8,400; was born April 25, 1821, at Morrison's Cave, Pa., the son of Berdine and Mazy Blake; William S. settled in Ogle Co. in 1869; was married May 18, 1843, to Catherine Gearhart, the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Gearhart, and was born at Beaver Creek, Washington Co., Md., Oct. 28, 1824; have seven children, viz.: Albert McClay, born March 14, 1844, Clara E., born Sept. 27, 1845; Wilber, born Sept. 19, 1847; Laura, born Nov. 29, 1849; Milliard F., born March 24, 1855; Willie G., born December 21, 1856; Franklin G., born July 29, 1861.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 15, 1880, shows William S. Blake (age 59) born in Pennsylvania to Maryland-born parents is a farmer living in Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL. Living with him is his wife Catharine Blake (age 57) born in Maryland to Maryland-born parents. Also living there are their youngest son, Frank Blake (age 19) born in Maryland to Pennsylvania and Maryland-born parents. On the adjacent farm is their son, Filmore Blake (age 24) who is a Farmer born in Maryland to Pennsylvania and Maryland-born parents, along with his wife Jennie Blake (age 21) born in Maryland to Maryland-born parents, and their daughter Lillian Blake (age 6/12) born December 1879 born in Illinois to Maryland-born parents. A domestic servant also lives in the household.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 22, 1880, shows Geo. S. Kenedy (age 32) born in Maryland to Maryland-born parents is a Stone Mason living in the Village of Mount Morris, Ogle Co., IL. Living with him is wife, Laura Kenedy (age 30) born in Maryland to Maryland-born parents, who is Keeping House. Also living there are his four children, all born in Illinois to Maryland-born parents: Clara S. Kenedy (age 10); Alma K. Kenedy (age 9); Nina M. Kenedy (age 5); and Elroy N. Kenedy (age 3).

Ogle Co. Portrait and Biographical Album, by Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL, 1886

William S. Blake, a farmer of the Township of Mt. Morris, came to Ogle County in 1869. He was born in Blair Co., Pa., April 25, 1821. Burdine Blake, his father, was a farmer, a native of Washington Co., Md., and was of German extraction. His ancestors, who were farmers, came to this country prior to the period of the Revolution, and settled in the same county which has been named as the native place of the father of Mr. Blake. Burdine Blake learned the trade of a moulder, and was occupied in that business in Washington Co., Md. He operated as mechanic until he married. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Mary Simpkins, Dec. 15, 1818. She was a native of Washington Co., in the State of Maryland, and was of American parentage. Her ancestors were Scotch. After their marriage they removed to the part of Pennsylvania which is now included in Blair County, and where their nine children, seven sons and two daughters, were born. One of the latter is deceased. Mr. Blake is next to the eldest of the first family of children, his father having married after the death of the first wife, which occurred April 1, 1867. Mrs. Barbara Stiffler became his second wife Nov. 3, 1867. She is now deceased. She had been married, and by her first husband was the mother of several children, but none by the second marriage. The father was a local preacher in the interests of the Methodist Church, and lived in Blair county until his death, which transpired Aug. 26, 1874. He was born in 1800.

Mr. Blake was educated in the common schools, and was married in the county in which he was born, May 18, 1843. Miss Catherine Gearhart became his wife. She was born in Washington Co., Md., Oct. 28, 1824. Her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Mong) Gearhart, were both natives of the same county, and of unmixed German descent. Her father was a mechanic. The lives of both were passed from first to last wholly within their native county. They were members of the German Lutheran Church. Of seven children, of which Mr. and Mrs. Blake have been the parents, only three survive. Laura is married to Scott Kennedy, of Mt. Morris. He is a mechanic and an Elder in the Christian Church. Millard F. married Miss Jennie Angell, and they live at Mt. Morris; he is a carpenter by trade and is also an Elder in the Christian Church. Franklin is living in Iowa and is a telegraph operator.

Mr. and Mrs. Blake resided in Pennsylvania until 1853, when they went to Washington Co., Md., and Mr. Blake operated there as a farmer until 1869, when he removed to Ogle County. In 1870 he purchased a farm which contained 120 acres, and has since been its owner and occupant. The dwelling occupied by the family is a fine brick structure, and the barns on the farm are of a suitable character, and in keeping with the other buildings on the place.

Mr. Blake is a Republican of decided principles, and has served in several local offices, being now a School Trustee. He and his wife are active workers in the interests of the Christian Church, in which he is a Deacon.

William Simpkins Blake died June 8, 1899, in Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL, at age 78. Buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL

The Mail, Hagerstown, MD, Friday, June 23, 1899

Wm. S. Blake.

Wm. S. Blake died June 8, at the age of 78 years. His father, Burdine Blake, lived here. Deceased married Miss Catharine Gearhart, of Beaver Creek. Seven children born to them, only three of survive: Mrs. Laura C. Kennedy, Milliard Fillmore and Franklin Gearhart, all living in the West.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 4, 1900, shows Millard F. Blake (age 45) born March 1855 in Maryland to Pennsylvania and Maryland-born parents is a widowed Carpenter owning his own home free of a mortgage in the Village of Mount Morris, Mount Morris Twp., Ogle Co., IL. Living with him are his unmarried children, all born to Maryland-born parents: Guy Blake (age 18) born April 1882 in Illinois, a Painter; Leila Blake (age 15) born June 1884 in Illinois; Galen Blake (age 14) born June 1885 in Illinois; Willis Blake (age 13) born August 1886 in Kansas; Errett Blake (age 12) born September 1887 in  Kansas; Hugh Blake (age 11) born January 1899 in Kansas; and Ruby Blake ( age 7) born May 1893  in Illinois. Also living there is Millard's widowed mother, Catherine Blake (age 75) born October 1824 in Maryland of Maryland-born parents with 3 of the 7 children born to her still living.

Catherine (Gearhart) Blake must have moved to Colfax, Washington Twp., Jasper Co., IA, between 1900 and 1903. This is the city where her brother-in-law, Thomas M. Blake, lived.

Catherine Gearhart died December 22, 1903, in Colfax, Washington Twp., Jasper Co., IA, at age 79.

The Newton News, Newton, IA, Wednesday, December 23, 1903

Mrs. Blake

Mrs. Blake, mother of Dr. F. G. Blake, died at her home in Colfax yesterday evening at 5:05 o’clock and the remains will be taken to the old home at Mt. Morris, Ill., for interment. Mrs. Dr. Blake is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Lain of this city and the first report that came was that “Mrs. Blake was dead,” and of course Mrs. Lain was terribly frightened. She went over to Colfax on the evening train.

Mount Morris, past and present - an illustrated history of the village of Mount Morris, Ogle County, Illinois - celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of Mount Morris, Ogle County, Illinois, Revised Edition, Harry G. Kable, 1938

WILLIAM S. BLAKE, son of Rev. Burdine and Mary (Simpkins) Blake, was born April 25, 1821, at Martinsburg, Pa., and came to Ogle County in 1869. In 1843, he married Catherine Gerhart, and they had seven children: Albert M., Clara E., Wilbur, Mrs. Geo. S. Kennedy, Millard F., William G., and Franklin G. His occupation was that of farmer and the Blake
homestead was located a half mile west of Mount Morris. He passed away June 8, 1899, aged 78 years.

MILLARD FILMORE BLAKE is one of Mount Morris's oldest citizens. He is the son of William and Katherine (Gearhart) Blake, and was born at Hagerstown, Md., March 24, 1855. He came to Mount Morris in 1869 with his parents and attended the local school and Rock River Seminary. He engaged in farming until 1885, when he went to Gurney, Kans., where he was appointed postmaster in 1888. He returned to Mount Morris in 1892 and, except for four years spent in California, he has spent the remaining years here, farming and carpentering. He now operates a lawn mower repair shop. In 1879, he married Eugenia Angel, and they had seven children: Lillian L. (deceased), Lela (Mrs. Clarence Hammel), Ruby (Mrs. Herzfeldt), Guy (deceased), Galen, Willis (deceased), Errett, Hugh and Ralph.