John Blake
Encyclopedia
Colonel John Y. F. (Filmore) Blake was born October 6, 1856 in Bolivar, Missouri, and died January 24, 1907, New York City. An American soldier, freedom fighter and lecturer. He was an ardent Irish American and an advocate of resistance to British imperialism.
After his birth his family soon moved to Denton County Texas. There he grew to cattle ranching and learned to ride horses. His father sent him to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1871. Soon after he received appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1876. Upon graduating West Point in June 1880, John Y.F. Blake began his military career, assigned as 2nd Lieutenant to the 6th U.S. Cavalry stationed in Arizona. He served under General Willcox
, General Crook
, and General Miles
during the Apache wars
. Resigning from the military in 1889, John Y. F. Blake moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan to become a businessman, as his wife and family wanted him to settle down. After about 5 years he soon found out that "'the tricks of the trade', were too deep for me" and giving into his desire for adventure, he headed to South Africa as gold prospector.
While in South Africa he became deeply involved in the Second Boer War as a Colonel of the Irish Brigade force of foreign born volunteers who assisted the Boers in their resistance to British annexation of the South African Republic (Trasvaal) and the Orange Free State.
He returned to the United States after the war to a hero's welcome and the lecture circuit. He subsequently published a memoir of his African experience, A West Pointer With The Boers. Blake's memoir is conceived as a highly critical expose of the motives and actions of the British government, particularly in its support of Cecil J. Rhodes and betrayal of leaders of nations with whom it had treated. He also lingers on the savage actions of British nationals, particularly English, towards native Africans and Boer Africans alike, and the honor and decency of Boer Africans in defending their liberty and families.
In 1885 John married Katherine Euphrasia Aldrich in Grand Rapids while still in the service. Together they lived in the officers' quarters at Fort Leavenworth, where John's first son Aldrich Blake was born on November 6, 1885. In 1888 Katherine, being pregnant with John's second son, persuaded him to resign from the military and return to Grand Rapids. He agreed, and on September 19, 1889 Ledyard Blake was born.
After his birth his family soon moved to Denton County Texas. There he grew to cattle ranching and learned to ride horses. His father sent him to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1871. Soon after he received appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1876. Upon graduating West Point in June 1880, John Y.F. Blake began his military career, assigned as 2nd Lieutenant to the 6th U.S. Cavalry stationed in Arizona. He served under General Willcox
Orlando B. Willcox
Orlando Bolivar Willcox was an American soldier who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
, General Crook
George Crook
George R. Crook was a career United States Army officer, most noted for his distinguished service during the American Civil War and the Indian Wars.-Early life:...
, and General Miles
Nelson A. Miles
Nelson Appleton Miles was a United States soldier who served in the American Civil War, Indian Wars, and the Spanish-American War.-Early life:Miles was born in Westminster, Massachusetts, on his family's farm...
during the Apache wars
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
. Resigning from the military in 1889, John Y. F. Blake moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan to become a businessman, as his wife and family wanted him to settle down. After about 5 years he soon found out that "'the tricks of the trade', were too deep for me" and giving into his desire for adventure, he headed to South Africa as gold prospector.
While in South Africa he became deeply involved in the Second Boer War as a Colonel of the Irish Brigade force of foreign born volunteers who assisted the Boers in their resistance to British annexation of the South African Republic (Trasvaal) and the Orange Free State.
He returned to the United States after the war to a hero's welcome and the lecture circuit. He subsequently published a memoir of his African experience, A West Pointer With The Boers. Blake's memoir is conceived as a highly critical expose of the motives and actions of the British government, particularly in its support of Cecil J. Rhodes and betrayal of leaders of nations with whom it had treated. He also lingers on the savage actions of British nationals, particularly English, towards native Africans and Boer Africans alike, and the honor and decency of Boer Africans in defending their liberty and families.
Family
John's mother Sinclair T. Chitty married his father Thomas Kincaid Blake Jr. at the age of 15.In 1885 John married Katherine Euphrasia Aldrich in Grand Rapids while still in the service. Together they lived in the officers' quarters at Fort Leavenworth, where John's first son Aldrich Blake was born on November 6, 1885. In 1888 Katherine, being pregnant with John's second son, persuaded him to resign from the military and return to Grand Rapids. He agreed, and on September 19, 1889 Ledyard Blake was born.
Death
He was found dead in his home in Harlem, New York City of gas asphyxiation on January 24, 1907. He had previously been tending a sick friend for 3 days. Some sources said the death was accidental, while others called it suicide.He is buried at West Point, New YorkExternal links
- http://www.roguery.com/safrica/giorno5.htm