son of David Blue & Zilpha Bohrer
He married Isabella Baylor 15 July 1867 Kosciusko Co., IN

Philip Blue, obituary, Rensselaer Republican
Philip Blue, whose life stood in such clear relief as an example of worthiness and simplicity and a member of the fast diminishing ranks of the once vast army of survivors of the War
of the Rebellion, died last night as he sat in a chair on the
porch of his home where he had lived a life 0f semi-inactivity for
many years. Death came quietly to the war veteran and venerable
resident who answered the last roll call at five-thirty o'olock
only a few minutes after he had performed some minor tasks in his
well kept flower and vegetable gardens which always drew attention
to his home and in which he was wont to spend so much of his time
during his fading years of life.
A stroke of heart trouble, believed to have been induced by
a sudden attack of indigestion, was the agency which brought death.
Life was already extinct when Mrs. Blue reached his side after
being attracted by a slight noise from the porch as she was pre-
paring the evening meal.
Apparently in his usual health Wednesday Mr. Blue as usual
performed the minor tasks about his home in which he took so much
delight. During the day he had twice gone down town on errands and
in the morning when he met his son, Philip R. Blue, he remarked to
him that he was feeling unusually well. He devoted part of the
afternoon to working in the garden and early in the evening he
planted some flowers after which he went to the porch to sit down
while awaiting the evening meal.
Mr. Blue occupied a prominent position in the county as a
public officer and for years was identified with the city's
business life. As a veteran of the war of 1861-65 he was active
in perpetuating the memories of the soldiers of that war and
proved genuinely helpful in promoting all phases of community life.
His active life extended well beyond that of the average individual
and even at his advanced age he was able to carry on work that proved bene1icinl to his 1ellowmen. In his death the community
marks the passing of a gentleman who did much to aid its progress.
Mr. Blue was born on December 13, 1846, near Warsaw in
Kosciusko County, a son of Jacob and Zilpha Bohrer Blue. His
father, a W. Virginian, years before had joined the westward tide
of humanity seeking the promising benefits the then far west held
out. His mother was member of a Pennsylvania family which drifted
westward with this same rolling tide to locate in Ohio and eventual-
ly in Indiana. Mr. Blue was member of a family of nine children,
and incidentally was the last surviving member of that family.
Philip was reared in the atmosphere of the farm. His educa-
tion was gleaned from the county schools of that early period. He
remained at farm work until the year 1863, when he voluntarily
enlisted as a Civil War soldier. Too young at the outset of the
war to gain recognition from recruiting officers, he had reached
a stage of maturity in the third year of the war which permitted
him to take up arms in defense of his nation. His enlistment was
under the six months' provision but he served seven or eight months.
Enlisting at Warsaw, he was sent to camp Morton, Indianapolis, at
which place he was assigned to Co. G, 118th Indiana Volunteers.
His army career did not embrace any of the important battles of
the war, but he rendered beneficial service as a picket and as a
member of wagon trains operating in Kentucky, Tennessee and
Alabama. Mr. Blue saw service at Beech Grove Creek and Crab
Orchard on the Kentucky-Tennessee line. He also spent several
weeks at Cumberland Gap and Nicholasville. From the wagon train
duty of Kentucky and Tennessee he was moved into Alabama where he
joined a wagon train and eventually was assigned to patrol-duty. The Johnny Rebs often were only a few hundred feet distance &8
this young soldier patrolled the lines at night and gained the
experience of the veteran soldiers. In 1864 he was mustered out
of the service at Cincinnati, Ohio, a short time after having been
furloughed home because of sickness.
Returning to his parental home at the close of his career as
a soldier, Mr. Blue resumed farming with his father. Two years
later he was united in marriage with Miss Belle Baylor, member of
a Kosciusko County family living near Mentone, the marriage being
performed on July 13, 1866.
It was not until March 1, 1876, that Mr. Blue came to this
county to make his home. He followed farming from that date until
1882 in Marion and Barkley townships. On March 15, 1883, he be-
came the proprietor of the Hotel Makeever and conducted that
business until November 21, 1888, when he retired to take up the
duties of sheriff of Jasper County, a position to which he was
elected under the republican standard. He served two successive
terms, four years in all. Prior to becoming sheriff he served two
terms as county coroner. In 1902 he was appointed superintendent
of the county farm by the commissioners and served two and one-half
years. Mr. Blue was a staunch republican throughout his lifetime
and always faithfully discharged the duties of trust that were
reposed in him.
After serving as county farm superintendent, Mr. Blue moved
to Rensselaer, locating on S. Weston street, where he remained a-
short time before moving into his home where his death took place.
He was since a continuous resident of that home with the exception
of the year, 1914. In the year 1914 he resided near Corono in
Sakatchewan, Canada, being engaged in managing a large wheat ranch.
Hovever, the call for the old home scenes overcame him And he
returned to Rensselaer to spend the balance of his lifetime.
Mr. Blue occupied the position of jury bailiff for many
years, a position which he held at the time of his demise.
The deceased was long time member of the Knights of Pythias
and of the G. A. R. He took an active interest in both organiza-
tions and was a faithful and regular attendant of the Methodist
church, with which he became affiliated when a young man.
His life was marked by amiability, generosity and sacrifice.
He was one of Rensselaer's most substantial residents and a man
who life was marked by sacrifice for his fellowmen.
Surviving are his wife, four children, Mrs. Louella Brown of
Deerfield, Ill., Mrs. Pearl Patterson of East Dubuque, Ill.,
Charles of this city and P. R. Blue of Wheatfield, and ten grand-
children.
The funeral services will be held from the Methodist Church
at three o'clock Friday afternoon, with Rev. Young in charge.
Burial will be made at Weston cemetery.

Philip Blue, proprietor of the McKeever House, Rensselaer, Ind., was born in Koscuisko County, Ind., December 13, 1846, and is the son of David and Sarah (Bohrer) Blue, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Virginia, and of English and German extraction. Mr. Blue enlisted July 20, 1863, in Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. H. A. White and Col. George W. Jackson. Was located in East Tennessee; kept on detached duty, and hence withheld from engagements. He was discharged March 1, 1864, and came to Jasper County in 1876. Philip Blue was married, July 13, 1867, to Belle Baylor, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Stacker) Baylor, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Four children have crowned this union - Luella J., born November 29, 1868; Charles M., born May 17, 1870; Leroy, born May 21 1876; Pearlie, born January 11, 1880. Mrs. Belle Blue was born February 18, 1847. Mr. Blue is a member of the Masonic fraternity, an active Republican, a wide-awake and genial gentleman. He is man in the right place - proprietor of a first-class hotel in Rensselaer.
Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper & Newton Indiana - Historical and Biographical
F. A. Bettey & Co., Publishers. Chicago: 1883