Blythe's Store

 Dudley Rouse Blythe, though still a young man, has been in Burlington for twenty-one years, and is one of the most influential men of his community and county.  He was born on September 28, 1887, the son of George and Laura Huey Blythe, both of whom are natives of Kentucky, and descendents of old families.  In his younger days, "Dud," as he is called by his friends attended local schools under good teachers, and was interested in farming up until the time he was twenty-two years of age.

 On October 26, 1909 he was untied in marriage with Floss Botts, who was born at Petersburg on February 17, 1892, the daughter of John and Carrie Smith Botts.  Mr. Botts is a carpenter by trade and both he and his wife are natives of Kentucky and descendents of old families here.  Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Blythe have two children, Arthur Edison, born June 20, 1910, who is now married to Hazel Clore.  They have one little daughter, Marcella Blythe, aged six months.

 The other child is Martha, who was born October 27, 1914.  She is a very attractive girl and very popular with the young and the old.  She is in her second year of high school and one of the best students at the Burlington institution.  She enjoys basketball, and was one of the valued players on her team last year.

 In January 1910, following his marriage, Mr. Blythe started working for E. E. Kelly in his general store at Burlington.  Here he showed unusual efficiency and made many friends, so that when he bought out Mr. Kelly on June 10, 1919, his own business was soon quickly established.  At that time, only about one-half of the amount of stock was carried in his store that is found today at this modern mercantile establishment.  On January 13, 1921, "Dud" moved his store across the street into the old Rouse store building once owned by his uncle, after whom he was named, though owned by his father, George Blythe, at the time.

 On June 7, 1921, this old store building burned to the ground with a loss to Mr. Blythe of $3,000 being only partly covered by insurance.  A disaster of this kind to a young business man would be most disheartening at the best, and many would have given up in despair.  Instead of admitting failure, Mr. Blythe bought the lots on which the old building stood and promptly built a beautiful new two story brick structure that was a decided asset to the town as well as to its owner, and a great improvement to the appearance of that corner.  By mighty hard work and personal supervision he erected this building in a little over two months and opened for business in his new store on August 20, 1921.  He and his family reside in an attractive and pleasant apartment of six rooms on the second floor of this building.  

Mr. Blythe carries a complete line of general merchandise, including shoes, hardware, notions, dry goods, groceries, paints, meats, cold drinks, ice cream, cigars and cigarettes - in fact, most anything necessary for a man and his family.  Claude Greenup is a valued clerk where for the past three years his capabilities and friendly manner have won him additional friends to the store.

 Mr. Blythe is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Burlington, the Scottish Rite at Covington, and the Okeika Shrine at Lexington.  Mrs. Blythe is a member of the Eastern Star.  There is no more ardent baseball fan than "Dud" Blythe and he has done much to make this wholesome sport possible in this section.  He is public spirited in every way, greatly interested in his county and ready to contribute and cooperate toward any movement for its betterment.

Dudley Rouse Blythe, proprietor.   From the 1930 Historical Edition of the Boone County Recorder