Mr. Blake, eldest son of George H. Blake and Margaret R. Blake, was
born in Stockton, California, July 8, 1858. When he was twelve years
old he began his musical education under Prof. Henry Von der Mehden.
He was a conscientious and faithful student. Four years later his
progress was so marked that his instructor gave him first cornet place
in the Silver Cornet Band, which was composed of his advanced pupils.
The excellent work of the band was soon recognized and the first great
public performance was at the old Woodwards Garden, before ten
thousand people. Their performance was received with tremendous
acknowledgment from the public. The band continued in its good work
for a number of years. In 1875 he made an educational visit around the
world and visited all places of interest and heard the music of the
Old World and when occasion presented also assisted in various
theaters in the cities where he sojourned. He returned once more to
California in the fall of 1876, resuming his musical and professional
engagements until September 30, 1879. He then made a second trip to
the Old World, visiting Queenstown, Antwerp, Cork and other cities. He
returned to California once more by way of the Indias and Japan,
November 1, 1881.
When he was twenty-four years old he began playing in the California
theater orchestra and remained there during the leadership of Charles
Schultz, and at the same time was a member of the Second Regiment band
at the Park. In 1887 he moved to San Bernardino and during his
residence there formed and was leader of the Seventh Regiment band,
was also the local leader of the orchestra at the Grand Opera house
when his services were needed for the passing shows without orchestra.
He remained in this capacity until 1879 when he moved to Santa Cruz
and remained until 1894 returning to Oakland and finally settling in
San Francisco where he continued in his professional line in the
various theaters and musical demonstrations which presented themselves
until the earthquake, when the theater where he was employed was
destroyed and music, like other business was at a standstill. For over
thirty years he has played with the best musical talent on the coast
and has been an acceptable and reliable musician in any capacity in
which he has been called. After the disaster he came to Oakland and
was at once engaged to play at the Ye Liberty theater under the able
management of Director August Hinrichs. At this theater he is at
present actively employed.
[Illustration:
Mrs. Winona Bruce-Schmidt
Jean Louderback
Bernard McMahan
Juliet McMaul
Lorena Dickey
Lorena Kimball
Mabel L. Drake
Dolores D. Ferguson
Geo. Allison