Andrew_Blank

ANDREW BLANK is one of the most familiar figures of Sault de Ste. Marie, having made his home in this city since its pioneer days. He was born in Mainstokheim, Bavaria, October 20, 1831, and is a son of George Blank, a cooper. In the family were twelve children, but only two are now living, –Andrew and Mrs. Newcomb, both of this city. At the age of twenty-two the former left the fatherland and came to the United States, embarking at Liverpool on a sailing vessel, which after forty-two days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, on the 6th of July, 1853. On the 12th of that month he reached Cleveland, Ohio, and secured employment in a brick-yard, where were seventeen rough Irishmen, who abused and bullied him in their usually style for two and a half months. He then secured a situation in a brewery among his own countrymen, and there was associated with Charles Gehring and Leonard Schlathler, now wisely known as millionaire brewers in that city.

After remaining in Cleveland for a few months, Mr. Blank started by boat for the copper mines of the Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior, and reached Sault de Ste. Marie about ten o’clock on the morning of May 28, 1854. He obtained his dinner in a house which now he now owns, and in the afternoon secured work on the canal then building, where he was employed until its completion in 1855. With the savings of these years of toil he purchased five cows and began selling milk and butter, extending his business as the trade and income warranted, until it yielded him a most handsome profit. He carried on the business for a number of years with excellent success, and as time passed invested his surplus capital in suburban real-estate and city property. During the great activity in the real-estate marked in 1888 he sold his suburban property at a profit of near $50,000, which he at once put into the bank. Thus was he enabled to retire from active business life and enjoy the rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. After thirty-three years’ connection with the milk business he sold out, in 1888.

August 2, 1855, Mr. Blank married Miss Margaret, daughter of Paul Likum, of Saginaw, Michigan, who has proved to him a faithful companion and helpmeet, and their married life has been a happy and prosperous one. Their union was blessed with the following children: Sophia, wife of Charles Eaton, of this city; Jennie, wife of John Donaldson, of Winnipeg, Manitoba; George, who is living in Sault de Ste. Marie; Katie, wife of Charles Thompson, of the same place; Minnie, wife of Joseph Wirt; and Freddie.

Mr. Blank’s home was the first brick residence erected in Chippewa county. From an early day he has been identified with the best interests of this community, taking an active part in all that pertains to its advancement and progress, and giving his support to all worth enterprises. As an official he has done effective service for the city. He served as a member of the City Council, was Treasurer of the Board of Education, and for fifteen years was Road Commissioner. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, having supported that party since casting his first presidential vote for Fremont. Socially he is an Odd Fellow and a K. of P. He was on of the founders of the Soo National Bank, of which he is still a director.

GEORGE BLANK, one of the most popular and upright business men in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, a man whose private and public life is spotless and without tarnish, was born in this city, June 24, 1861. He is the eldest son of that esteemed townsman and pioneer, Andrew Blank, who, aided by his noble wife, brought up their children in the path of rectitude and with a love for industry.

George was given a liberal amount of schooling and at the proper age assisted his father in his large milk and ice business. When this business was disposed of in 1888, George engaged in the ice business on his own account. This he maintained until 1891, at which date he purchased the interest of Mr. Williams in the insurance firm of Johnston & Williams, and the popular firm of Johnston & Blank was brought into existence.

Mr. Blank was elected to the first City Council, an important and historic body, and acquitted himself with credit. He was nominated unanimously by the Republicans in March, 1895, for Mayor of his city, and after the hardest-fought campaign in its history–a campaign into which local matters were interjected to the utter submersion of party fealty or individual merit of the heads of the two tickets–he was defeated.

Mr. Blank was married in Sault Sainte Marie, December 8, 1886, to Lottie G. Ferris, and they have two children, George Early and Mary Margaret, aged five and three years respectively. Mrs. Blank is a daughter of John G. Ferris, deceased, who came to this city from Meaford, Canada, and was engaged in the butcher business; was a successful and prominent man and died in February, 1893, aged sixty-three years. His wife’s maiden name was Jane Boucher, and their children are: William, Willet, Wallace H., Charles, Mrs. David Bell, Mrs. William Keuhle, and Mrs. Gerard Warrick.

Fraternally, Mr. Blank is identified with the Masonic order. He is Past Master of the blue lodge and High Priest of the chapter at Sault Ste. Marie. He was made a Mason in Bethel Lodge, No. 358, Sault Ste. Marie, in 1883, was made Master of the lodge in 1891-2, and he is a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Commandery, No. 45.