John Marvin Blake papers
Scope and Contents
This collection consists primarily of incoming and outgoing correspondence. There is also a small amount of miscellaneous correspondence written to and from individuals other than Blake. In addition, there are financial and legal materials concerning Blake's ranching interests, dental practice, and other business activities.
Dates
- Creation: 1845-1933
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
Collection open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.
Biographical / Historical
Dr. John Marvin Blake was born in Hope Center, New York, in July 1840. He grew up in Evansville, Wisconsin, but journeyed to Montana seeking adventure in 1864. Blake lived in Helena until the early 1870s, when he returned East to study dentistry. Dr. Blake was again in Helena by 1874, and set up one of the first dental practices in the area. Blake was also interested in livestock and owned a ranch near Townsend. Dr. Blake was married for a short time. He and his wife, Lizzie, had two daughters: Caroline who died as a baby and Nellie. The marriage ended in divorce in 1882. Blake never remarried. Blake lived most of his life in Helena. He built the Blake Block in the downtown area which housed numerous offices and shops and served in 1875 as the headquarters for the territorial government of Montana. Blake declared bankruptcy twice in his lifetime, once in 1905 and again in 1913. John Marvin Blake died in 1927 at the age of 87.
Extent
1.5 linear feet
Abstract
John Blake (1840-1927) was a Helena, Montana, pioneer, dentist, and livestock investor in the Townsend and Judith Basin, Montana, areas. He also built the Blake Block (103-105 Broadway) which served as the Territorial capitol when the government moved to Helena in 1875. The collection consists of incoming correspondence (1861-1925) to John Blake, and miscellaneous correspondence (1868-1933) for other members of the Blake family and non-family members. Also included are financial and legal records (1869-1930) and Blake family genealogical materials (1845-1874)
Arrangement
Arranged by series.
Physical Location
5:6-6
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquisition information available upon request
Separated Materials
Photographs transferred to Photo Archives. See inventory below for more information.
- Title
- Guide to the John Marvin Blake papers 1845-1933
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by MHS staff
- Date
- 2004
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard 2nd Edition)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives Repository
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT 59620-1201 United States
406-444-2681
406-444-2696 (Fax)
mhslibrary@mt.gov