JOHN HABRI80N BLAKE. 



a condition of general financial disaster, in which the Norfolk Laboratory 

 bad shared aud which made it impossible to take up the grants for the 

 mining and exportation of nitre BCcured from the Peruvian government. 



Under these conditions h<- a pted the management of the Fernandez 



copper mines in Santa Clara, Cuba, married, and took up his residence 

 there, where, in addition to the work in hand, he made observations on 

 the character and climate of the country. In 1*17 he assisted in the g 

 logic survey of [sle Roy ale, Lake Superior,* and in 1848 entered into 

 partnership with Franklin Darracott as a civil engineer, to which work 

 added that of a consulting chemist and geologist. It was his custom 

 to make no charge for consultation to individuals seeking to develop new 

 industries, rega dii 2 this as his contribution to the general \ 

 Among many to whom be gave valuable advice were Goodyear and 

 Babbitt. 



The business of the firm of Blake and Darracott had largely to do with 

 ojineering and thi truction < a works, and Mr. Blake organ- 



ized and was at one time president of live gas companies, his executive 

 ability and power of control over men making such work a pleasure. In 

 addition be was interested in iron and gold mining, carrying on the ore 

 - and blast furnaces and car wheel works at Brandon, Vermont, and 



_ inizingand operating the Yahoola River Hydraulic .Mining Company, 

 of which he was president, in the Dahlonega belt, Georgia. After the 

 lution of the firm of Blake and Darracott he became interested in 

 Btreet railway-, building the Middlesex Road and being the President of 

 the .Metropolitan Road during the period of the Civil War: subsequently 

 he was President of the Connecticut Arms Manufacturing Company, and 



ized and was the first President of the Chapman Valve Manuf'ac- 

 turi _ I ■ npany. 



One of Mr. Blake's latest contributions to manufactures was the 

 called antique glass. Wishing to carry out previous experiments on 

 molecular movement in solids at protracted high temperatures, he i 

 Btructed a crucible furnace in South Boston, and in order to make it pay 

 i manufactured glass upon the basis of bis earlier analyses i t 

 precious stones, the result being a glass of great brilliancy and vivid 

 color. 



the Dictator. The invitation was declined, but wai 

 n an equally courteous note brought by m file of soldiers, the note further 

 that the Dictator trusted that the invitation would be accepted, as it « 

 n him to be obliged to provide any narrower accommodation. 



promontory at the northeasterly extremity of the islan 1 is called Blake 

 nt. 



