JAMES W. BLUE, the present, efficient postmaster at Battle Ground, is a native of Ohio, born in Clarke County, September 6, 1844, his father URIAH BLUE, being a native of the same State, born in Ross County in 1811.  The latter was a son of JAMES BLUE, who was a Virginian by birth, 
and a slave-holder, but being convinced that slavery was wrong, he emancipated his slaves and removed to Ross County, Ohio, where he resided until 1827.  He then made his home in Boone County, Indiana, for several years, improving a farm in that county.  Later he settled in Berrien County, Michigan, where he died in 1847.

URIAH BLUE, the father of our subject, was married in Clarke County, Ohio, to MISS ALMEDA HODER, who was born in that county in 1824, a daughter of JOHN and MARY (BAIRD) HODER.  They reared a family of five children--MRS. MARY HARTMAN, of Battle Ground, this county; MRS. MAGGIE TITUS, of Clarke County, Ohio; JAMES W.; SARAH C., living at Battle Ground, and MRS. ELIZABETH ROBINSON, of White County, Indiana.  In 1861 URIAH BLUE removed with his family to White County, Indiana, where they made their home until 1875.

JAMES W. BLUE, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in Clarke County, to the vocation of a farmer, which he has followed the greater part of his life.  In 1861 he located at Ash Grove, Tippecanoe County, and engaged in farming.  He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, October 18, 1864, in the Sixteenth Indiana Light Artillery, the battery during his term of service being stationed in the fortifications of Washington, D.C.  He remained in the service until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged July 5, 1865, and after his return from the war he resumed farming.  In 1877 he was elected assessor of Tippecanoe Township, and was several times elected to the same office, assessing the township for five years.  He was appointed to his present position of postmaster June 15, 1885, by President Cleveland.  MR. BLUE is a comrade of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, 1888, pg. 825

transcribed by Adina Dyer Jan 2000

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