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,w as 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. Mrs. Blank is a daughter of John G. Ferris, deceased, who came to this city from Meaford, canada, and was engaged int he butcher business; was a successful and prominent man and died in February 1893, aged 63 years. His wife's maiden name was Jane Boucher, and their children are; William, Willett, Wallace H., Charles, Mrs. David Bell, Mrs. William Kuehle, 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 of Sault Ste. Marie. He was made a Mason in Bethel Lodge, No. 358, Saulte 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.

Northern Peninsula of Michigan 1895