Charles O. Blake, one of the best known real estate men of New Haven, who in recent years has done much for the development of the city, displays in his life record those qualities which should serve as an inspiration and encouragement to others, for he is in the truest and best sense of the word a self-made man and has been both the architect and builder of his own fortunes. He was born at Norfolk, Virginia, February 26, 1868, and in his infancy was left an orphan, after which he was taken to the home of a relative who cared for him for a time, he was reared at Raleigh, North Carolina, and as soon as old enough entered school there, but the period of his educational training was of short duration. He had just enough schooling, however, to whet his appetite for more and he availed himself of every opportunity to add to his knowledge. He bought all of the books which his meager earnings would permit and studied at night. In the daytime he worked as a farm hand on a plantation in North Carolina and afterward decided to learn the blacksmith's trade.
     Making his way northward to Connecticut, Mr. Blake took up his abode in New Britain and became an apprentice with the firm of Russell & Erwin, manufacturing blacksmiths. He completed his apprenticeship when a youth of nineteen but continued to work at his trade in New Britain, remaining there in all for seven years. On the expiration of that period he came to New Haven and secured a position in the shops of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. That he was capable and faithful is indicated in the fact that he there remained for a decade, at the end of which time he resigned to accept a position with the Bigelow Manufacturing Company of New Haven. He also remained there for ten years, during which period he carefully saved his earnings until he felt the sum was sufficient to justify his starting out in the real estate business on his own account. He began operations on a small scale, purchasing and handling property as the opportunity presented. At length his real estate business had reached such proportions that he felt he should devote his entire time thereto and he decided to give up his position with the Bigelow Company, which, however, was very reluctant to accept his resignation, not caring to lose so valuable an employe. From the beginning his business has grown to large proportions and he is today one of the representative real estate men of his city. He has made judicious investments as opportunity has arisen and is today the owner of much valuable property in West Haven.
     On the 24th of May, 1893, Mr. Blake was married to Miss Etta Scheuy, of New Britain, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Scheuy. They now have one son, Walter H., who was born in New Haven in 1895 and is a graduate of the West Haven high school and of the Stebbing Commercial School of New Haven. At the present time he is employed in the executive offices of the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
     Mr. Blake is a member of the Real Estate Board of New Haven, of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Bigelow Social Association and of the Order of United American Mechanics of New Britain. Since coming to New Haven he has been tendered political preferment. He is a stalwart republican but has always declined to become a candidate for office, yet he is not neglectful of the duties of citizenship and loyally supports any plan or measure which he believes will prove of benefit to his city or state. He stands high in public regard, for in his life record he has displayed those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and respect. The most envious cannot grudge him his success, so honorably has it been won and so worthily used. He today occupies a fine home in West Haven and is one of the valued residents and business men of the city.