Verner F. Blake Verner F. Blake is one of the popular and influential business men of the younger generation in his native county, and in the thriving village of Volga he has for the past fifteen years had the control and management of the well-established furniture and undertaking business that was founded by his mother, who is now one of the honored and venerable pioneer citizens of this county. Verner F. Blake was born in Sperry township, Clayton county, Iowa, on the 3d of March, 1880, and is a son of Morris L. and Cynthia C. (Hawthorne) Blake, the former of whom was born in the state of Vermont and the latter of whom was born in Clayton county, Iowa, where her parents settled in the very early pioneer days. Morris L. Blake came to this county when a young man, has been prominent in connection with business and civic affairs and is now living virtually retired in the village of Volga. He and his wife became the parents of four children, all of whom are living, and both Mr. and Mrs. Blake are well known and highly esteemed pioneer citizens of Clayton county. In the public school Verner F. Blake continued his studies until he had completed the curriculum of the high school, and since leaving school he has been actively associated with the properous furniture and undertaking business of which he now has the sole management. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, he and his wife attend and support the Presbyterian church in their home village, and for the past twelve years he has been giving most loyal and efficient service as a member of the village council of Volga, his political allegiance being given to the Republican party. On the 11th of January, 1905, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Blake to Miss Elsa Waltenbaugh, who was born in Howard county, this state, and who is a daughter of James E. and Caroline (Perkins) Waltenbaugh who now maintain their home at Rockford, Minnesota. Mr. and Mrs. Blake have two sons, Russell Eugene, who was born October 9, 1906; and Merton James, who was born September 26, 1915. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa; From The Earliest Historical Times Down to
the Present; by Realto E. Price, Vol. II; page 50-51 |