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GUY E. BLACKWELDER
Vol. 3, p. 956

With remarkable efficiency and success has the commission system of
municipal government been tried out in Oklahoma since its
introduction, in 1911, and the admirable results attained have been
due to enlisting the services of citizens of utmost loyalty and
distinctive ability in the official adjustment and control of the
various departments of the city government. Such efficiency has
clearly marked the administration of Guy Elliot BLACKWELDER in is
administration of the important affairs of the office of commissioner
of public works, of which he is the present zealous and valued
incumbent. He has been a resident of Oklahoma from his early youth,
having accompanied his parents to the Territory soon after it was
opened to settlement and having been at the time about sixteen years
of age. Thus he has literally grown up with this vigorous young
commonwealth, and none who know him can doubt that he fully
exemplifies its progressive spirit.

Mr. Blackwelder was born at Haddam, Washington County, Kansas, on
the 10th of November, 1874, and his parents, Martin Luther
Blackwelder and Emma (ELLIOT) Blackwelder, were both born at
Litchfield, Illinois, where they were reared and educated. They were
numbed among the pioneer of Kansas, where they remained until
Oklahoma Territory was thrown open to settlement, when they here
repeated their pioneer experiences, as early settlers of Oklahoma
County.

In public schools of his native state Guy E. Blackwelder acquired
his early education and after the family removal to Oklahoma he
attended the schools of Oklahoma City until his graduation in the
high school, as a member of the class of 1895. In 1897-98 the
ambitious young man traveled through the Territory as a special agent
and adjuster for fire insurance companies, and he then became
associated with his father in the real estate business in Oklahoma
City, the firm of M. L. Blackwelder & Son having been one of the
foremost in its operations and in its reputation for stability and
integrity during the progressive period during which a seemingly
magic city was in process of evolution. Thus it was given to the
subject of this review to aid materially in the development and up
building of the fine city which is still his home and to which his
locality is unflagging, even as is his appreciation of its manifold
advantages and attractions.

In 1911, when the city adopted the commission form of government,
Mr. Blackwelder was elected commissioner of public works, for a term
of two years, and he had the distinction of being the only republican
thus elected to the first board of commissioners and his vigorous and
effective administration bringing about his re-election in 1913, for
a term of four years. In his division of the city government he has
the general supervision of the construction of sewers, viaducts and
bridges, sidewalks and crossings, as well as the engineering
department, which controls the opening of the streets and the
grading, paving, lighting, cleaning, repairing and sprinkling of
streets. It will thus be seen that he has heavy responsibilities in
directing matters of the most vital importance to the community, and
he has proved equal to all demands thus placed upon him, has shown
much initiative and administrative ability and has aided in bringing
Oklahoma City into the front rank of American municipalities in the
matter of public improvements, cleanliness and effective sanitary
conditions.

For a number of years Mr. Blackwelder was a member of the
directorate of the American National Bank of Oklahoma City, one of
the strongest and best of the financial institutions of the state,
but he resigned this position when he assumed his present municipal
office, which he considers worthy of his undivided time and
attention. In politics he accords unswerving allegiance to the
republican party and has given efficient service in the furtherance
of its cause in Oklahoma. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with
the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.
It has been earnestly stated that Mr. Blackwelder is one of the most
capable and popular officials ever elected in Oklahoma City, and his
attitude is shown in the following estimate given by one altogether
familiar with his career: "He knows everybody and everybody knows
him, and no one is ever abashed or disconcerted if called upon to
approach him in his official capacity, for in all of the relations of
life he is considerate, courteous and kindly."

On the 25th of June, 1902, M. Blackwelder wedded Miss Cora Bell
BAUMANN, daughter of James J. and Edna P. Baumann, of Kalamazoo,
Michigan, and the three children of this union are: Phillip E., James
J. and Bettina.

Typed for OKGenWeb by: Vickie Neill Taylor January 5, 1999.