William Blades (September 27, 1798 – March 14, 1877) was a Michigan politician and preacher.
William Blades | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Genesee County district | |
| In office January 3, 1848 – April 3, 1848 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 27, 1798 Worcester County, Maryland |
| Died | March 14, 1877 (aged 78) Flint, Michigan |
| Political party | Whig Republican |
Early life
editBlades was born in Worcester County, Maryland, on September 27, 1798. Blades learned hattery. In 1828, Blades moved away Maryland because of his aversion to slavery. Blades first moved to Newark, New Jersey, then East Avon, New York, until finally moving to Genesee County, Michigan, in 1835. He lived in Grand Blanc until around 1845, where he then moved to Flint.[1]
Career
editFrom around 1852 until his death, Blades served as an active Methodist Episcopal preacher, and was said to have "married and buried" more people than anyone else in the county. Blades served as justice of the peace from 1835 to 1845. Blades served as Genesee County sheriff from 1844 to 1846. On November 1, 1847, Blades was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where he represented the Genesee County district from January 3, 1848, to April 3, 1848.[2] During his time in the legislature, Blades was a member of the Whig Party. Later, he was a Republican. In his later years, Blades served as a superintendent of the poor.[1]
Personal life
editWilliams Blades had a son named Francis Asbury Blades, who also served as a preacher.[3]
Death
editBlades died on March 14, 1877, in Flint.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Bingham, Stephen D. (1888). Early History of Michigan: With Biographies of State Officers, Members of Congress, Judges and Legislators. Thorp & Godfrey, state printers – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Legislator Details - William Blades". Library of Michigan. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Ellis, Franklin (1879). History of Genesee County, Michigan: with illustrations and biographical ... Everts & Abbott – via Internet Archive.