Alex Blake, proprietor of the Blake House, situated on East Mission and Elkader streets, Strawberry Point, was born June 30, 1832, in St. Jospeh County, Ind. His parents, Alex and Margaret Blake, were natives of Greenbrier County, Va. He was the recipient of a good education, in Berrien County, Mich., attending school unitl he was eighteen years old, and then worked on his father's farm until 1851, when he came to Clayton County. He taught school here two years, then opened a general merchandise store, which he disposed of one year afterward, and engaged in various branches of business until he bought the hotel property he now occupies, in company with G. L. Tremain. One year later he sold the hotel, an in another year bought it again, and again sold it at the expiration of twelve months. In May, 1865, he again purcahsed the hotel, and has conducted it since. He was married Aug. 3, 1855, in Strawberry Point, to Fannie E. Campbell. Of two children born of the union, one is living--Charles S. Mrs. Fannie Blake died March 10, 1863. In February, 1864, he married Elizabeth Wilder; they have one child--Nellie, now engaged in teachers school. Mr. Blake is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the enterprising business men of the town. He has been elected to many of the township offices. Himself and wife are members of the Universalist society. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 691-92 |