Cumberland County, Maine - Hon. George Blake
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Biography
Hon. George Blake
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 345


Hon. George Blake, a prominent merchant and a former State legislator of New
Gloucester, was born in that town, March 10, 1812, son of Richard and Susan
(Pierce) Blake.  At an early day John Blake, the paternal grandfather, came from
Cape Ann, Massachusetts, to New Gloucester, where he carried on farming until
his death. James Pierce, the maternal grandfather, also came from Cape Ann in
early times, and, with his family, settled in New Gloucester, where he passed
the remainder of his days, dying at the age of ninety-two years.

Richard Blake, the father, came to New Gloucester with his parents at the age of
fourteen. He subsequently settled on Gloucester Hill, where he lived to the age
of seventy-four years, being engaged in farming. His wife lived to be eighty
years old. Both were natives of Cape Ann. They had eight children, only two of
whom are now living. These are: George, the subject of this sketch; and David,
now residing with his daughter in Hebron, Me. Those deceased were James, Joseph,
Johanna, Susan, Betsy, and Jane.  All had a common school education.

The Hon. George Blake remained at home until he was twenty-one. Then he went to
Boston and engaged in making white oak trunnels for ships. The next summer he
worked on a farm, after which he learned the shoemaker's trade and followed it
until 1836. Returning to Gloucester Hill, he opened a store for general
merchandise, which he managed for eight years. Mr. Blake then sold out his
interest and went to North Gray, where he built a store, and conducted it for
eight years. This business he also sold out, and then went to Upper Gloucester,
where he bought the old Chandler store. He carried on the business of this place
in partnership with John White for ten months. Then he purchased Mr. White's
interest, and has since been the sole proprietor. He has been a resident of the
town for forty-one years.

In politics Mr. Blake is a Republican. He held the office of School Trustee for
twenty-four years. In 1859 he represented this district in the State
legislature. He has been a member of the Society of Good Templars, and he is now
a member of the Congregationalist church in this village.

Mr. Blake was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united February 12,
1856, was Eunice C. (Dolloff) Blake, formerly of Rumford, Me., who was born
September 13, 1834. Of this union there came four children Eva E., born February
11, 1858; Herbert E., born March 29, 1860; Roscoe D., born July 15, 1862; and
Ora V., born August 22, 1874. Eva E. is now the wife of Dr. Nathaniel Marshall,
of Portland, Me. Herbert E. married Miss Holmes, and lives near his father, for
whom he now runs the store and post-office. They have three children - Florence,
Marion, and Arthur. Roscoe D. died on February 9, 1877. Ora V. was married on
October 16, 1891, to C. R. Dollof, and is the father of one child - George R.,
born May 15, 1892. The first Mrs. Blake died on February 14, 1877. On December
7, 1879, Mr. Blake married Miss Ann Hill, a native of Gray, who, born April 27,
1823, died March 12, 1895. Mr. Blake had a limited education, but his invincible
energy has conquered every difficulty. He has been remarkably successful through
life, but none too much for his deserts.