October 1, 1860 – May 23, 1895
Division Colonel 1885
Descended from Captain Granville Blake; Co. H, ME 29th Inf.; Brevet Major, March 13, 1865

Obituary

AFTER A LONG ILLNESS

The Death of Ex-Postmaster John C. Blake of Auburn

It occurred Thursday Morning at his Home in Auburn

Mr. John C. Blake of Auburn, died at his home 103 Pleasant Street at 1 A.M. Thursday after a long illness of consumption.

Mr. Blake has done no work since his term as postmaster in Auburn expired the spring of 1894 and has been in failing health ever since.  He was, however, in poor health before leaving the post office.  Part of the summer of 1894 was passed by mr. Blake in a Maine country town and it was thought for a while that he was greatly improved by the change.  November 12 he started for Tampa, Florida, where he has been until two weeks ago, at the home of Mr. Chas. Gay formerly of Auburn.  He arrive home two weeks ago and has failed rapidly ever since.

He has been unable to talk louder than a whisper and has seen no one outside his family.  His wish was that he be allowed to remain quiet.  He was confined to his bed only a short time.  Tuesday he was up and down stairs for a short time.  He was conscious to the end and his death was peaceful.  “It seemed like going to sleep, ” said a member of the family.  He started from Florida on Monday arriving home on Saturday.  Stops were made at Washington and Boston.  Mr. Blake had company as far as Washington, but he made the rest of the journey alone.

Mr. Blake’s age was 35 years and he was unmarried.  He was the son of Capt. Granville Blake of Bradford, Conant & Co., and the brother of Mrs. Orel D. Bradford of Lewiston.  He attended the schools in Auburn, graduating in 1879 from the Edward Little High School.  Immediately after his graduation he accepted a position as clerk in the Auburn post-office, under Postmaster Delance Young’s administration he was assistant postmaster and upon Mr. Young’s retirement he was appointed postmaster, which position he held for four years, his successor being Mr. J. B. Twombly, the present postmaster.  In the post office he was a most faithful official, his gentle ways and ever courteous bearing winning him hundreds of friends.

Mr. Blake will be greatly missed in Sons of Veterans circles where he was held in high esteem and which organization had honored him with many offices.  He was a charter member of A.C. Pray Camp S. of V in Auburn and a past captain of the camp.  In the Maine Division of Sons of Veterans he had been commander, quartermaster, adjutant inspector, mustering officer, and a member of the division council.  In the National organization he was the first quartermaster general under Commander-in-Chief F.P. Merrill.  He was also a member of the Historical Department of the Maine Division.

Mr. Blake was also prominent in K. of P. circles, a member of Eureka Lodge of Auburn.  He had been chancellor, the highest office in the gift of the lodge and was a member of the Grand Lodge of the State.  It is believed that these were the only two secret organizations that Mr. Blake belonged to.  Both were very dear to him and he was prompt in his attendance upon the meetings and ever willing to bear his part of the burdon.  He will be especailly missed in A.C. Pray Camp S. of V.

In politics Mr. Blake was a republican, and he was prominent in the formation of the Young Men’s Republican Club of Auburn, being its treasurer.

He was retiring in disposition, quiet and gentle in his ways, hones in his dealing with all men, and a man of whom no one spoke ill.  He had a limited circle of intimate friends, and a very, very wide circle of well-wishers.

Burial at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Auburn, Maine