Edward Blaine, a veteran of the civil war, who served for nine consecutive years as recorder of deeds in this county, and is widely known as among the most substantial representative citizens of Chester, is the only son of Joseph and Margaret Jane (Sanders) Blaine, and was born in the city of Philadelphia, April 13, 1839. His father was of German descent, and the name was originally spelled Blainz, but the present spelling has been in use for several generations. Joseph Blaine (father) was a native of Philadelphia and in early life adopted a seafaring life, which he followed for many years, being captain of a ship and engaged in transporting merchandise to and from many foreign ports. He died in the city of Philadelphia in 1842, when the subject of this sketch was only three years of age. His wife, also a native of Philadelphia, whose maiden name was Margaret Jane Sanders, survived him only a short time, dying when their son was still quite young.
Immediately after his father”s death, Edward Blaine was brought to Delaware county, and reared on a farm in Middletown township until he had attained his fourteenth year. His education was obtained in the public schools of that township, and at the age of fourteen he left the farm to work in a cotton factory at Middletown, where he remained for nearly three years and then started in to learn the plaster”s trade, finishing his apprenticeship in this city. He worked at his trade until 1861, at which time he was in charge of the plastering on the Pennsylvania Training school for feeble minded children, near Elwin, this county. When Fort Sumpter was fired upon and the trifarious wave of mingled consternation, indignation and patriotism swept over the north, kindling into blazing enthusiasm that love of country which forms one of the corner stones of character among our people, young Blaine laid down his trowel, as Putnam left the plow, and without waiting to see what others would do, at once enlisted under the Federal standard, becoming a member of the first company in the first regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves. For three years he led the hard and hazardous life of a soldier, exposed to the privations incident to camp and campaign, and participating in all the principal battles of his regiment. At the battle of Antietam, Maryland, he was seriously injured by a minnie ball which passed through his left leg, inflicting a wound that compelled him to remain in the military hospital for three months. At the close of his term of service he was mustered out in the city of Philadelphia, and returning to Delaware county, Mr. Blaine located in the city of Chester and engaged in plastering and building, which business he successfully conducted until 1880. In that year he was elected on the republican ticket to the office of recorder of deeds for Delaware county, and entering upon the discharge of his official duties January 1, 1881, he served acceptably in that position for a period of nine years, being three time reelected to succeed himself. Retiring from the office in 1890, with the well earned reputation of having been one of the most efficient and capable recorders the county has ever had, Mr. Blaine had since devoted his attention mainly to building a number of houses on his own lots in this city, which he rents, and in dealing in real estate. He is also director in the Excelsior Saving and Loan association of this city.
On April 11, 1863, Mr. Blaine was united in marriage with Lizzie Duncan, youngest daughter of Samuel and Jeanette V. Duncan, of Middletown, this county. To their union was born a family of four daughters; Nettie, Mae, Roselyn and Bessie, all excepting the eldest, who is married, living at home with their parents in their handsome residence on West Fourth Street, this city.
Cyclopedia of Biographies of Delaware County; Samuel Wiley, 1894 Pg. 194-195As has been intimated, Mr. Blaine is a stanch republican, and he has taken an active interest in political affairs ever since the war. He has served as a delegate to the State and county conventions many times, and exerts considerable influence in the local councils of his party, being now a member of the Republican executive committee of Delaware county, and highly esteemed by all his party associates. On May 25, 1893, he received the republican nomination for county commissioner from the southern district of Delaware county. Mr. Blaine regularly attends the liberally contributes to the Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member. He is a member of Chester Lodge, No. 236, Free and Accepted Masons; Wilde Post, No. 25, Grand Army of the Republic, which he represented in the National encampment at Columbus, Ohio, in 1888; Larkin Lodge, No. 78, Knights of Pythias; and of the Improved Order of Red Men. Left an orphan in tender years and reared among strangers, the subject of this sketch began life with nothing, and by his own industry, integrity of character and indomitable energy, has fairly conquered fate and accumulated a handsome competency. Better than this, he has won the esteem and confidence of the community, and ranks with the foremost men of his adopted city.
Currently a resident of Burke, Virginia - I'm originally from the City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I have been a student of the Pennsylvania Reserves since 1997 and thoroughly enjoy telling their story. By trade I'm a former IT Professional but presently working as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service.
