Introduction
Born: January 21, 1852, London, Ohio (some sources say on an Ohio River steamboat).
Died: December 4, 1938, at his home in Ronceverte, West Virginia.
Buried: Riverview Cemetery, Ronceverte, West Virginia.
Born: January 21, 1852, London, Ohio (some sources say on an Ohio River steamboat).
Died: December 4, 1938, at his home in Ronceverte, West Virginia.
Buried: Riverview Cemetery, Ronceverte, West Virginia.
William was the son of Burdine Blake, Jr., and Mary Ellen Murray, and husband of Alice Mary Horne.
He settled near Dayton, Virginia, in the early 1870s, and worked with the Ruebush-Kieffer music publishers there.
In 1889, Blake moved to Ronceverte, West Virginia, and partnered with J. W. Hess in publishing the Ronceverte News. Around 1891, he bought Hess’ part of the newspaper, and changed the name to the Valley Messenger and News.
In December 1897, Blake formed The West Virginia News. He published both papers until 1901, when the Valley Messenger and News was consolidated into the latter paper.
Sons William B. Jr. and Edward L., and grandson Norman B., followed Blake in this newspaper endeavor.
If you know where to get a better photo of Blake,