 In addition to being a successful manufacturer, Blatchford was well known for his religious activities.He served for forty years as the president of the Chicago Theological Seminary, and also contributed his time and money to several mission organizations such as the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and the Chicago Missionary Society.As longtime chairman of the Newberry Library's board of trustees, Blatchford oversaw the hiring of the Newberry's first librarians and did much to shape the institution, including developing its commitment to genealogy.