BLAKE, James
Source: Recollections of the Early Settlement of Carroll County, Indiana by James Hervey Stewart p 100 (thanks to Sol Gorrell for sending this)
The “old settlers” of Carroll County look upon James Blake as a public benefactor. Although never a citizen of the county, he lived here for several months, during each year for several years. He had an establishment for curing ginseng on General Milroy’s farm and purchased a large quantity of that root for which he paid out thousands of dollars annually; and it is a well known fact that many of the early pioneers raised from this source alone a sufficient amount of money to enable them to purchase their land from the Government. Mr. B. (sic – does not spell out the name) was a man of marked influence with the first settlers, and they had the most unbounded confidence in his integrity. Strictly pious, honorable and straight-forward in all his dealings, he made a decided and most favorable impression upon the people. He attended the first sale of lots in Delphi; and on the day of the sale, he headed a subscription for the erection of the old log-school house. The contract for the building was made on the spot, and in about 10 days the house was up and completed. He immediately organized a Sunday School of which he took the supervision on all occasions, during his stay in the county. The weight of his character and influence was felt most sensibly on the side of religion, morality and virtue. He assisted the good men who first came here to give the young community a start in the right direction and that influence is seen up to the present day. Mr. Blake was born in the county of York, Pennsylvania on the 3d day of March, 1791. In his early years, at the time when nearly all the goods that were consumed in the valley of the Ohio were brought by wagon across the mountains, he drove a six-horse team from Philadelphia to Pittsburg. He continued thus occupied from 1812 to 1818. During the War at the time the British Army was threatening Baltimore, he volunteered in the company of Capt. Bishler and marched to that city. He remained in the Army until the danger was over, a period of about three months till the troops were disbanded. He proceeded to Washington with his team and hauled a cannon from that city to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the trip occupying about three weeks. In the Summer of 1818, such was the financial embarrassment of the county and its effects on all branches of business, that teaming became quite dull and Mr. B accordingly sold out. In the Fall of 1818, he set out for an extensive tour through the Western County on horseback. He passed through Pittsburg, Beaver, Canton, New Philadelphia, and at Springfield, Ohio spent a week or ten days with some old friends; thence by way of Xenia and Lebanon to Cincinnati. The Queen City at that time was nothing but a small village. He then proceeded bo Louisville, Ky by way of Lawrenceburg, Vevay, Madison and Charleston. From Louisville he went to Corydon, Indiana at which place he arrived between Christman and New Year. The legislature of the new State was then in session and Mr. B. made many acquaintances and friends which have lasted through life. From Corydon the traveler went to Vincennes and on the way made the acquaintance of Judge Blackford and Thomas H. Blake. The country was a winderness, the road nothing but an Indian trace, and for a considerable distance the party carried their pistols in their hands, looking out for robbers by whom they expected to be attacked, judging from the awful reports they had heard respecting that part of the country. He remained at Vincennes two or three days. At that time the Old post as Vincennes was generally designated was much the most flourishing town in Indiana. It contained between 30 and 40 stores and an immense business was done particularly by the Ewings. From Vincennes he went to Terre Haute; found a rude court house and the clerk’s office in a cabin but no tavern; and he had to ride up to Ft. Harrison about three or four miles above the little village to procure lodging for the night. Major Church and several other US officers were there at the time. He crossed the Wabash River at Terre Haute and returned by way of Palestine to Vincennes. He then went to St. Louis which at that time did not contain a single public house and nothing in the shape of one, except a boarding house. After remaining one day, he went to Kaskaskia and found the Illinois Legislature in session being its first. He was very much disgusted with things about Kaskaskia. From the Governor down to the lowest official, all were playing cards and drinking whisky. He remained about 24 hours and set out again for Vincennes – nothing but a dim trail for a road, and in some places from 40 to 60 miles between cabins. Mr. B then returned to his home in Pennsylvania by way of New Albany, Louisville, Frankfort, Lexington, Maysville, Chillicothe, Lancaster, Wheeling, Washington and Pittsburg. He arrived at home on the 4th day of April 1819, having started on his journey the 21st day of the preceding November. While at Corydon, Indiana he had heard of the new purchase and then determined that whenever the seat of Government should be located, he would emigrate there. Having learned that Indianapolis had been selected, he left Pennsylvania with a view of making that place his home on the 25th day of May 1821. At Pittsburg, he took the steamer Henry Baldwin for Louisville at which place the boat arrived in nine days. He crossed over to New Albany on the 9th of June and remained there until the middle of July. Having purchased a horse, in company with his friend West who was owner of a wagon, the two set out for Indianapolis at which place they arrived on the 25th day of July, 1821. The sale of land was then progressing at Brookville; and the lots in Indianapolis were sold the ensuing October. Mr. B. followed surveying until the Fall of 1823, at which time he entered into partnership with Samuel Henderson in the hotel business and the two kept the “Washington Hall.” He pursued this business two or three years at the end of which time a Dr. Helln entered Indianapolis and formed a partnership with him in the purchase and cure of ginseng. Their first location was in Putnam County at a place which took the name of Blakesburg. They carried on that establishment four or five years; and at that time by paying Major Isaac Elston who then had a little store in Crawfordsville the cash for ginseng, he was enabled to give that enterprising gentleman a start, which, many think, laid the foundation for the fortune afterward acquired by him. The ginseng-root becoming scarce in the region of country around Blakesburg, Mr. B. started persons out to look for a place where it could be found in greater quantity. These persons reported that the article was found in great abundance above Wildcat (north of Lafayette). In fact, such quantities were then in that location, that wagon loads were brought to Blakesburg from there. In May 1827,l Mr. B. took a tour to the Upper Wabash. Longley (a French trader, married to an Indian woman, about three miles above Lafayette) informed him as to the best places to find Ginseng, and particularly spoke of the Deer Creek country. Mr. B. came up to Mr. Daniel Baum’s who kept tavern in the bottom below, where Delphi was afterward located. He visited General Milroy, and remained in the neighborhood a week. He leased a tract of a few acres of land from General M, and entered into a contract with Joseh m’Cain for the erection of the necessary buildings. The ensuing Winter, General M. went to Indianapolis with the view of urging of an act for the organization of the new county. In this matter he received the active cooperation of Mr. Blake; and the two blocked out the counties in the Upper Wabash, so that the county seats would necessarily be located on the river. This wise arrangement was subsequently adopted by the Legislature with the most beneficial results. In August 1827, he commenced the purchase and cure of ginseng at his factory, on General Milroy’s farm and remained there until late in the Fall, his brother Jesse in the mean time overseeing the Blakesburg establishment. In August 1828, he was again at his post. He attended the first sale of lots in Delphi and not only inaugurated the building of the school house as heretofore named, but also the erection of a house for the Rev. James Crawford, a Presbyterian minister, recently located in the settlement; the school house being the first and Mr. Crawford’s the second, house built on the new town plot. Mr. B. carried on the ginseng business at his establishment above Delphi until the close of 1830 – four years – at which time his lease on General Milroy’s land expired. After closing his Carroll County factory, he established one near Logansport, which he carried on two years. In 1832, he set one in operation at Frankfort; in 1833, another at Marion and in 1834, another at Leesburg, Kosciusko County. He finally discontinued that trade in 1835. Mr. B. always laughed heartily when relating a circumstance which occurred, perhaps the first season he was located above Delphi . One of the men employed by him represented, one morning that he felt very badly, and must have some whisky. Mr. B. told him to mount the horse, and go down to Father Baum’s and procure some, he taking a jug along. On his return, a bear came cantering along pretty close to the horse, which so frightened the animal that he ran away. The men at the factory, upon looking down the road, saw man and horse coming toward them, Gilpinlike with the fleetness of a deer. But the most amusing part was to witness the superhuman efforts made the rider to save the jug. His efforts were successful and the “O be joyful came without the loss of a drop! It is proper to add, before closing this brief sketch that Mr. Blake was married on the 29th day of March 1831 to Miss Eliza Sprole of Baltimore, Maryland by whom he had four sons. Mr. B. discontinued the ginseng business in 1835 and his work was principally confined to the city of Indianapolis. He was universally acknowledged to be one of the most useful, energetic, and public-spirited citizens during his day. He led the van in every improvement. His name was always found at the head of the list in every benevolent enterprise. It may be truly said that his name is identified with the prosperity of the city of his residence. His heart was the home of benevolence, and the poor and friendless were sure to find in him a ready ear and willing hand. Such is but a very imperfect account of a man whose life has been made up of noble, unselfish and benevolent works.
Source: Laws of the State of Indiana Chapter CCLXV
An act to vacate the town of Blakesburg in Putnam County – Approved Jan 15, 1846. Section 1 – Be it enacted the General Assembly of the State of Indiana. That th town of Blkaesburg in the county of Putnam, heretofore laid off by James Blake, be and the same is hereby vacated. Section 2 – This act to take effect from and after its passage.