Burdine Blake

Burdine Blake was born March 15, 1850, in Martinsburg, Blair County, PA, and died March 14, 1915, in Martinsburg, Blair County, PA, at age 64. He was the son of James Blake of Washington Co., MD, and Margaret Ellen Brown of Pennsylvania. Never married.

TIMELINE

Burdine Blake was born March 1850 in Martinsburg, Blair County, PA.

The 1860 U. S. Census taken on June 1, 1860, shows James Blake (age 40) born in Maryland is a Blacksmith with real estate worth $300 and personal estate worth $200 living in Martinsburg Borough, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife Margaret Blake (age 30) born in Pennsylvania. Also living there are their children, all born in Pennsylvania: John Blake (age 11); Burdine Blake (age 8); Sharlot Blake (age 7); James Blake (age 6); Fillmore Blake age 5); Packer Blake (age 3); and Warren Blake (age 8/12).

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on August 1, 1870, shows James Blake (age 52) born in Pennsylvania is a Blacksmith with real estate worth $1,600 and personal estate worth $200 living in Martinsburg Borough, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife Ellen Blake (age 40) born in Pennsylvania. Also living there are their children, all born in Pennsylvania: John Blake (age 22) a School Teacher; Birdine Blake (age 20) a Blacksmith; Jennie Blake (age 18); James Blake (age 16); Philmore Blake age 14); Packer Blake (age 13); Mary Blake (age 9); Grant Blake (age 4); and Adda Blake (age 2).

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 3, 1880, shows James Blake (age 59) born in Pennsylvania to Maryland-born parents is a blacksmith living in Martinsburg Borough, Blair Co., PA. Living with him is his wife Ellen Blake (age 52) born in Indiana to Maryland-born parents. Also living there are their children: Burdine Blake (age 29) born in Maryland, who is a blacksmith; Mary Blake (age 19) born in Pennsylvania; Grant Blake (age 12) born in Pennsylvania; and Adaline Blake (age 11) born in Pennsylvania.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 2, 1900, shows Margaret Blake (age 39) born March 1861 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is divorced head of household and living in North Woodbury Twp., Martinsburg Borough, Blair Co., PA whose only child born to her is still living. Living with him is her unmarried brother Burdine Blake (age 50) born March 1850 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents, who is a blacksmith. Also living there is her uncle William Brown (age 75) born October 1824 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents who is a blacksmith; and her son James Ridenour (age 2) born March 1898 in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents.

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 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 28, 1910, shows Margaret E. Blake (age 83) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents is a widowed head of household with her own income living on North Market Street, Martinsburg Borough, Blair Co., PA with 7 of the 15 children born to her still alive. Living with her is her unmarried son Burdine Blake (age 60) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents who is an invalid; her married daughter Mary E. Ridenour (age 49) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents who works as a house keeper for another family, who has been married for 13 years and her only child is still living; and her grandson James B. Ridenour (age 12) born in Pennsylvania to Pennsylvania-born parents.

Burdine Blake died March 14, 1915, in Martinsburg, Blair County, PA, at age 64. He was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Martinsburg, Blair Co., PA.

The Altoona Mirror, Altoona, PA, Monday, March 15, 1915

COLOR BEARER OF 46TH REG. IS DEAD

Burdine Blake, Who Carried Flag in Sherman's March to the Sea, Dies at Home in Martinsburg.

Burdine Blake, a color bearer in Sherman's famous march from Atlanta to the sea during the Civil war and who has been color bearer in the Decoration day marches held in Martinsburg for about 40 years, died at his home in the cove town last evening shortly before 5 o'clock. Death was due to the hardening of the arteries of the brain, superinduced by a severe attack of grippe. Mr. Blake was born at Martinsburg March 15, 1850, and had he been permitted to live until today would have been 65 years of age. He was the son of James and Margaret Ellen Blake and was the grandson and namesake of Rev. Burdine Blake of Martinsburg, who in the 40's and 50's was one of the best known Methodist ministers in this part of the state. The deceased learned the trade of blacksmithing and for many years assisted his father in that trade in Martinsburg. Owing to his age he could not enlist in the Union army until toward the close of the war and when he accepted he was somewhat under age but passed because of his robust appearance. He was a member of the 46th Pennsylvania Volunteers and was with Sherman in Georgia, being the color bearer of his regiment. When the custom of strewing flowers over the graves of the soldier dead was inaugurated some years after the war, Burdine Blake was accorded the honor of bearing the flag in the marches made to the two cemeteries in the town. Each Decoration day since he has had this honor and so far as can be ascertained he never missed one of the annual observances for almost 40 years. Mr. Blake is among the few Civil war survivors in Martinsburg. Today in arranging for the funeral it was suggested that his surviving comrades in that vicinity be secured to set as pallbearers. A survey of the town disclosed the sad fact that there were not sufficient soldiers left in the town and the plan was abandoned. Mr. Blake always lived in Martinsburg. He was never married. He is survived by the following brothers and sisters: John W. Blake of 1203 Sixth avenue, and Mrs. Alice Wogan, of this city; James Blake of Goldfield, Nev., Rev. W. Packer Blake of Oklahoma, U. S. Grant Blake of Altamont, Kan., and Mrs. Mary Ridenour of Martinsburg. He was a member of the Methodist church at Martinsburg. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon with services at his late home at 2 o'clock. Interment will take place at Fairview cemetery, near the town.