LYMAN'S HISTORY

BIOGRAPHICAL

N. G. BLALOCK, M. D.

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

Dr. Blalock was a native of North Carolina, his birth having occurred inMitchell county, that state, in 1836. He spent his youth amid rural surroundingsin his native state, his time largely being devoted to agricultural pursuits, whilelater he took up the profession of teaching but regarded this merely as an initialstep to other professional labor. It became his earnest desire to enter the medicalprofession and with that end in view he matriculated in the Jefferson MedicalCollege of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1861. He first locatedfor practice in Mount Zion, Illinois, and when the Civil war was in progress heput aside all business, professional and personal considerations and joined thearmy as surgeon of an Illinois regiment, doing active duty at the front in thisconnection. When hostilities had ceased he resumed the practice of medicinein Illinois, where he remained until 1872. He then heard and heeded the call ofthe west. He first came in 1872 to spy out the land. Crossing the continentpart of the way with a team, actuated by the purpose of selecting a new home inthe Pacific northwest, he decided upon Walla Walla and then returned to Illinoisfor 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 monthsupon the road, as they traveled by team. There were twenty-seven members inthe little immigrant party and their total financial resources on reaching theirdestination did not exceed twenty dollars. Dr. Blalock at once sought employmentin order to replenish his depleted exchequer. He began hauling wheat fromWalla Walla to Wallula and upon the return trip brought groceries and othermerchandise, which had to be laid in before navigation on the Columbia riverclosed for the winter. He was thus engaged for a little over a month, afterwhich he opened his office and began practicing medicine. His career in thatprofessional field was a most notable one. His ability was pronounced. Hemost 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...