CHARLES F. BLOOD
pp. 66-67

Charles F. Blood was born in Bath, Steuben county, N.Y., January 12, 1826. In June, 1838, he came to Ithaca, taking advantage of the educational facilities offered by the county seat of Tompkins County until he reached the age of nineteen, when he entered the mercantile business in the store adjoining the Culver Block on East State street, in which location he continued business until the year 1872. In the spring of 1872 he erected the store No. 9 North Tioga street, being a part of the Masonic Block, where he continued in the mercantile business for ten years longer, disposing of his business in 1882, after an almost uninterrupted business career of forty years. About the year 1883 he engaged in the manufacture of window glass, and was one of the promoters of , a stockholder in, and treasurer of the Ithaca Glass Works during its existence and until it merged into The United Glass Company.

For years he took an active interest in the militia of the State, was a charter member of Company A, 50th Regiment, N.G.S.N.Y., known as the Dewitt Guards, which was organized in January, 1852. On May 28, 1856, he was elected second lieutenant, and on August 25, 1862, its captain. His company was not mustered into special service during the war until August 25, 1864, when under special orders promulgated from general headquarters of the State of New York , he as commander of Company A proceeded with his command to Elmira, N. Y., and reported to the acting assistant provost marshal, by whom they were mustered into the service of the United States for one hundred days. Owing to the intelligence of the men composing the company, comprising as they did representative business men of the city, nearly the entire command were detailed on special and important duties during practically the entire period of service, until having served the period of enlistment, they were mustered out of the service December 2, 1864.

In December, 1864, Mr. Blood was elected lieutenant colonel of the 50th Regiment, on December 11, 1866, was elected colonel, and on September 20, 1875, was elected to the position of brigadier-general of the 28th Brigade, N.G.S.N.Y., serving in that capacity until his retirement from the service, after a military service of fully twenty-five years.

He served for a like period as a fireman, being for many years a member of tornado Hook and Ladder Company No. 8, and afterwards a member of and for several years captain of the Protective Police. He was a member of the Grand Army of Replica, a member of the Masonic Fraternity and twice its eminent commander, a director of the Ithaca Savings Bank, a stockholder and director of the Ithaca Trust Company, and for many years an elder and trustee in the First Presbyterian church of Ithaca. A member of the first Paving Commission of the city, appointed by Mayor St. John and re-appointed by Mayor Bouton, his various real estate and building enterprises have always evidenced his interest in the growth and material prosperity of the city of Ithaca.