Nelson Gales BLALOCK

                   Source:
1.  Dictionary of American Biography Vol II pg 349.

Dr. Nelson G. Blalock was born in North Carolina, graduated from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Penn.  He was one of the first physcians of Macon Co., Illinois.  He and several other families drove a 4-mule team from Macon County to Walla Walla, Washington in 1872, leaving in May and arriving 11 Oct 1875.  Seventeen members in the party.

He installed the first telephone in the State, was first wheat grower, and started the first fruit orchards.  Dug first artesian wells in valley.  Worked unceasingly on opening navigation on the Columbia River.  Promoted Blalock Island of 4,000 acreas in Columbia River.  Started a large lumber mill there with an outlay of $200,000 and failed in the venture; he had only $50,00 but would not take bankruptcy, and eventually paid off all the indebtedness, with interest of 15-24 percent.  He has a record of 5,000 births to his credit.  He was a democrat, and made and lost several fortunes in  his lifetime.  This information was in a Walla Walla, Washington newpaper at the time of the death of his son Yancy Blalock.

At the time of his death was recognized as the foremost citizen of the State of Washington.  Worked way through the Academy and College in Mitchell Co., NC, the pace where he was born.  Young Blalock moved to Philadelphia and secured his medical education graduating in March 1861.  He went into practice in Decatur, IL but soon joined the 115th Illinois Volunteers as a surgeon and served with abiliity during the Civil War.  Returned to Decatur and practiced for 12 years until 1873.  The went West with a wagon train and settled in Walla Walla Washington.  In Washington he practiced performing on an average of a surgical operation each day.  Delivered thousands of babies.  Seldon kept books, had over $40,000 in outstanding monies owed him.  First to establish modern electric equipment in his office including X-ray.