James K. Blakely, b. 5 May 1821

WILSON, KING, MUNELL, HUNNELL, MCDAUGHY, MCKEAN, MCKAY, VIRTUE, BONER, BUCHANAN, BEGGS, EVANS, HALOCK

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 14:33:57

Among the solid and substantial men of Fairfield Township may be properly numbered the subject of this notice, who was the owner of a good farm property, comprising 240 acres of improved land on section 20. He purchased this in 1863, and since that time has given his time and attention to its development and improvement. Industrious, enterprising and frugal, he is now in the enjoyment of a competence acquired by his years of honest toil, and by following the rule at all times of living within his income. In 1888 he sold his farm to his son and is now living in retirement.

A native of Adams County, Pa., our subject was born May 5, 1821, and lived there until reaching man's estate. His education was confined to the common schools, but his natural capabilities resulted in his becoming well acquainted with the best methods of transacting business, while at the same time he obtained a thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits. Upon leaving his native State and coming to this county he commenced working for his uncle as a farm laborer, and was thus employed until his marriage. After this event he began operating a rented farm, that which his son now owns. He is a fair type of the self-made man, having begun at the foot of the ladder in life and worked his way up to a good position, socially and financially. The friend of morality and education, he has uniformly contributed his influence and means, as he was able, for the furtherance of those enterprises calculated to be of the most service to the people around him. Politically, he votes the straight Democratic ticket, and has held the various local offices.

James Blakely, the father of our subject, and also a native of Adams County, Pa., was born in 1795, and departed this life in Somerset County, that State, Sept. 3, 1823. He was married, in early manhood, to Miss Jane Wilson, daughter of Joseph and Susannah (King) Wilson, and who, like her husband, was of Scotch-Irish descent, her forefathers emigrating to the United States at an early day. She died May 5, 1837. The household circle included three children only: a daughter, Martha Mary was born in Adams County, Pa., Oct. 3, 1822, and died in Gettysburg, Pa., June 17, 1887. Susan Jane became the wife of John Munell, of Washington County, Pa., and died in Waynesburg, Green County, Jan. 15, 1866. She was born April 8, 1924. She was the mother of eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Nancy Jane, Mary E., Annabell, Robert W. and John W.; the second daughter, Mary E., became the wife of Samuel Hunnell, of Waynesburg, Pa. The others are still unmarried. Mr. Munell died Jan. 12, 1889.

The subject of this sketch was married Jan. 18, 1855, to Miss Ann (McKean) McGaughy, who was born in Adams County, Sept. 18, 1824. She was one of a family of nine children - Alexander S., Mary Jane, James, Thomas, Margaret, Hugh, Robert, Ann and William. Mary Jane became the wife of John McKay, of Morrow County, Ohio, and is the mother of three children - Nancy J., Samuel A. and James G.; Thomas married Miss Sarah J. Virtue, of Morrow County, and has two children - George E. and Ida E.; Hugh married Miss Hannah Boner, of Morrow County, Ohio, and has five children - James, William, Clara, Lotta and Frank; he is a carpenter. Robert married Miss Amanda Buchanan, and is the father of one child, a daughter, Mary. The balance of the family are in Morrow County, Ohio.

To Mr. and Mrs. Blakely there have been born five children, all of whom are living. The eldest, William M., married Miss Sarah P. Beggs, of this county, and is carrying on farming and stock-raising in Shelby County. They have three children - Frank R., Henry R., and Clara May; Martha J. is the wife of George R. Evans, a farmer and stock-raiser in Shelby County, and they have five children - Anna M., James, G., Maude, Mary and George M.; James W. married Miss Hannah Halock, of this country, is farming in Adair County, and is the father of twin boys, Ralph C. and Rolla; Alexander S. and Anna M. remain with their parents.

The buildings of the Blakely homestead are especially worthy of mention. The dwelling is a commodious two -story structure, the main part 28x18 feet in dimensions, with an L 24x20 feet. There is a substantial barn 48x40 feet with a solid stone basement, which has a capacity of sheltering a large number of cattle and horses. Everything about the premises bears that comfortable and substantial appearance, which is so grateful to the eye, and indicates in such a forcible manner the thrift and enterprise of the proprietor. Mr. Blakely meddles very little with public affairs, preferring to give his time and attention to his family.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)