_of_
Old Walla Walla County

_Embracing_

Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield
and Asotin Counties

ILLUSTRATED

VOLUME II

CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1918

BIOGRAPHICAL

N. G. BLALOCK, M. D.

No history of Walla Walla and of this section of the northwest would
be complete without extended reference to Dr. N. G. Blalock, who not
only figured as a most successful and progressive physician but, also
recognizing the possibilities for the material development of the
northwest through its natural resources, contributed in marked measure
to the upbuilding of this section of the country and the promotion
of its business activities. His labors were of a character that
contributed to public progress as well as to individual success and in
fact they were of the most farreaching extent and importance.

Dr. Blalock was a native of North Carolina, his birth having occurred
in Mitchell county, that state, in 1836. He spent his youth amid rural
surroundings in his native state, his time largely being devoted
to agricultural pursuits, while later he took up the profession
of teaching but regarded this merely as an initial step to other
professional labor. It became his earnest desire to enter the medical
profession and with that end in view he matriculated in the Jefferson
Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1861.
He first located for practice in Mount Zion, Illinois, and when the
Civil war was in progress he put aside all business, professional and
personal considerations and joined the army as surgeon of an Illinois
regiment, doing active duty at the front in this connection. When
hostilities had ceased he resumed the practice of medicine in Illinois,
where he remained until 1872. He then heard and heeded the call of the
west. He first came in 1872 to spy out the land. Crossing the continent
part of the way with a team, actuated by the purpose of selecting a new
home in the Pacific northwest, he decided upon Walla Walla and then
returned to Illinois for his family. In May, 1873, they left their home
in Macon county, that state, and on the 11th of October reached Walla
Walla, having spent about six months upon the road, as they traveled
by team. There were twenty-seven members in the little immigrant party
and their total financial resources on reaching their destination did
not exceed twenty dollars. Dr. Blalock at once sought employment in
order to replenish his depleted exchequer. He began hauling wheat from
Walla Walla to Wallula and upon the return trip brought groceries and
other merchandise, which had to be laid in before navigation on the
Columbia river closed for the winter. He was thus engaged for a little
over a month, after which he opened his office and began practicing
medicine. His career in that professional field was a most notable
one. His ability was pronounced. He most carefully diagnosed his cases
and his judgment was seldom, if ever, at fault. He did most important
work in the frontier community, his professional career covering a
period of fifty-three years, during which he kept a complete record of
his obstetrical cases, including the names, ages and birthplaces of
parents and the names and sexes of children. He officiated at almost
six thousand obstetrical cases. He was the loved family physician in
many a household. He was most sympathetic by nature, kindly in spirit
and these qualities, added to his professional skill and ability, made
him most efficient in medical practice.

Dr. Blalock also deserves special mention for his contribution to
the development of Walla Walla and the northwest. He organized the
firm of Blalock, Son & Company for the purpose of building a mill
and flume to engage in the manufacture and shipment of lumber, wood,
etc., from what is known as the Blalock Mountain. This undertaking
did not prove profitable, however, and the company failed for two
hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars, with assets of only fifty
thousand dollars. The nature of Dr. Blalock at once was manifest, for
he immediately assumed the liabilities of the company and in less
than eight years paid off every cent, with interest at from fifteen
to twenty-four per cent per annum, acting in this matter contrary to
the advice of his attorneys. No other course was possible to a man of
his straightforward and honorable nature, however. He felt that every
cent of his indebtedness should be met and he resolutely set to work
to achieve this end, which in an incredibly short space of time he
accomplished.