Biography - DAVID L. BLEY

Dr. David L. Bley, of Staunton, who occupies the front rank in his profession in Macoupin, has been a resident of this county ever since his early boyhood and is one of the honored citizens of this section. His father was a physician and, being reared under highly favorable conditions for a professional career, the son has met with a gratifying measure of success. He is of German and English descent and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1853, a son of Dr. George and Elizabeth W. (Lavis) Bley. The grandfather on the paternal side, George Bley, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. Pie was one of the few survivors of Napoleon’s disastrous campaign to Moscow and spent a number of years in educational work in Germany. He emigrated with his family to the United States and died at Indiana, Pennsylvania, at the advanced age of ninety-two years in 1875. He was the father of six children, Conrad, George, John, Philip, Mrs. Sophia Klump and Mrs. Mary Wallace.

Dr. George Bley, the father of our subject, was born at Dettingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1820, and was eleven years of age when he accompanied his parents to the United States. He attended the public schools of Pennsylvania for several years and at the age of thirteen was bound out to learn the drug business. He proved remarkably bright and capable and as a young man took up the study of medicine and was graduated from the old Philadelphia College of Medicine. He engaged in active practice during the remainder of his life, also being connected with the drug business, and made his home in Staunton, from 1861 with the exception of three years, during which time he engaged in farming in Iowa. He was married to Elizabeth W. Lavis, who was born in Philadelphia, August 17, 1823, a daughter of David and Mary (Wilson) Lavis, the former being a native of Bristol, England, and the latter of New Jersey. Dr. Bley died at Staunton in 1886 and his wife passed away June 10, 1911. Politically he gave his support to the republican party and religiously he was a stanch believer in the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. There were six children in the family of Dr. and Mrs. Bley: Ellen, who is the wife of David C. Wurtz, of Joliet; Elizabeth W., the deceased wife of Thomas Blair, passing away in 1901; George, who lives at Beardstown, Illinois; David L., of this review; Robert E., who is a physician and is now engaged in practice at Bunker Hill; and Mary L., the widow of Dr. C. T. Dripps, of Staunton.

David L. Bley came to Staunton with his parents in 1861 and attended the public schools of this city until fourteen years of age. He then entered his father’s drug store and began preparing his medical studies, becoming a student of the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia when he was eighteen years of age. He was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. in 1875 and began the practice of his profession at Staunton, Illinois. Two years later he located at Alhambra, this state, but returned to Staunton in 1879. After the death of his father he entered into' partnership with his brother Robert E., who in 1888 disposed of his interest in the firm to Dr. C. T. Dripps and removed to Edwardsville, where he practiced for a few months, since which time he has, made his home in Bunker Hill. Dr. Bley continued in partnership with Dr. Dripps until the death of the latter in 1902. He was then alone in practice until 1904, when he entered into partnership with Dr. Myron Snell, of Litchfield, Illinois, Dr. Snell remaining with him one year. In 1905 Dr. A. H. Hunter became a member of the firm and together they have since engaged in practice.

Fraternally Dr. Bley is a member of Staunton Lodge, No. 177, A. F. & A. M.; Staunton Chapter, No. 227, R. A. M.; and St. Omar Commandery, No. 30, K. T., of Litchfield. He also holds membership in Staunton Lodge, No. 685, I. O. O. F., and Parnassus Lodge, No. 581, K. P. Politically he adheres to the republican party. He takes the interest of a patriotic citizen in public affairs but his energies are mainly concentrated upon his profession.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 431-432.