- WILLIAM J. BLAKE, one of the progressive and enterprising young agriculturists of Greenville township, who is using scientific methods in developing his fine farm of 120 acres in section 28, was born in March, 1885, at Stineloff, Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, a son of William F. and Mary (Rads) Blake. William F. Blake was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, February 26, 1849, and came to the United States as a young man. Later he was married to Miss Mary Rads, who was born July 9, 1858, and who came to the United States with her parents, Gottlieb and Gustavie (Fogel) Rads, settling in Manitowoc county. After marriage William F. Blake and his wife settled on the present Ganzel farm, on section 33, Cicero township, where they had eighty acres of land with a small clearing, and here erected a small log cabin and log barn, remaining eight years. Selling that property, they then went to Stineloff, Wisconsin, but after three years moved to Chilton, Calumet county. After four years spent in the latter place, Mr. and Mrs. Blake came back to Cicero township, buying 160 acres in section 31, which was partly cleared, and on which stood an old log building. During the years that followed, Mr. Blake became very successful in his farming operations, erecting new and substantial buildings on his property and buying another tract of 112 acres nearby. His death occurred January 11, 1906, he having been the father of six children: Alvina; Bertha, who married Henry Koall; Henry, residing at home; Charles, a resident of Black Creek; William, and Louis. William J. Blake secured his present fine property of 120 acres from the estate of his father, in 1906, and here he has added a number of improvements, including the latest farming machinery. He operates his land along scientific lines and finds that the benefits to be derived therefrom are many. In June, 1909, he was united in marriage with Mary Mineschmidt, who was born December 11, 1885, in Black Creek township, Outagamie county, daughter of Charles Mineschmidt, and they have had one child, Elmer, who died January 21, 1911, aged nine months, seventeen days.
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1885 - 1919 (34 years)
Biography
