BLAKELEY, Joseph - 1890 Bio (1824-1901)

BLAKELEY, MCCALLISTER, NEARIS, HARVEY, HARRIS, EVANS, MCKINNEY, TURNHAM, REED

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/28/2007 at 18:14:16

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 516-517

Joseph BLAKELEY, who resides on section 31, Buchanan Township, is an extensive landowner of Jefferson County, having six hundred and fifty acres of land lying in three townships, which pay to him a golden tribute for his care and cultivation, and his prosperity is all the more deserved when we know that he has made his own way in the world, steadily pushing forward from a humble position to one of wealth and affluence. He was born in Butler County, Pa., December 27, 1824, and is a son of Lewis and Jane (McCALLISTER) BLAKELEY. The family is of German origin and the progenitor in America was Lewis BLAKELEY, the great-grandfather of our subject, who at an early day in American history braved the dangers of an ocean voyage to make a home in the New World and settled in Chester County, Pa. He married Jane NEARIS, who was of Irish birth. Her father died in the old country, after which her mother was again married. The step-father came to America and later sent for the mother and Jane to join him in his new home, but his wife died on the ocean. The daughter continued on her way to Pennsylvania, but never found any trace of her step-father. She was sold to a man to pay for her passage, and in the employ of the same gentleman was Lewis BLAKELEY, who fell in love with the young Irish lass and married her. Unto them, on the 21st of September, 1767, in Pennsylvania, was born a son, Joseph BLAKELEY, who became an expert weaver. Having attained to mature years, he married Sarah HARVEY, a Scotch (sic) lady, born May 15, 1768. He was one of the first tavern-keepers of Washington, Pa., and was there living at the time of the Whisky Insurrection, which arose largely from the heavy taxation which was placed upon that commodity, which was about the only article they could pack over the mountains and get money for. Afterwards Mr. BLAKELEY removed with his family to Butler County, Pa., where his wife died in 1830, and he in 1841.

Their third child in a family of eight children, Lewis BLAKELEY, was born on the 28th of May, 1794, in the Keystone State, and in his youth was inured to hard labor. On the 31st of August, 1815, he married Miss McCALLISTER, who was born in Pennsylvania March 7, 1796. Her father, Archibald McCALLISTER, who was born in 1759, in Ireland, was a well-educated man who engaged in the profession of teaching for a livelihood. He married Hannah BLAKELEY, who was born on the 24th of February, 1770. His death occurred February 24, 1825, and she was called to her final rest January 19, 1847. Upon the marriage of the parents of our subject they settled upon a farm in Butler County, Pa., where they spent the remainder of their lives engaged in the useful and honorable pursuit of tilling the soil. They reared a family of twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter, nine of whom are yet living. Both were members of the Covenanter Church and in the community where they lived they ranked among the highly respected citizens. The death of Mr. BLAKELEY occurred September 3, 1845, but it was not until many years later that his widow passed away, her death occurring June 15, 1882.

The subject of this sketch was the fifth child in his father's family and is the only one now a resident of Iowa. He received a common-school education, and on reaching manhood began life for himself by working in a sawmill. Later he turned his attention to farming, which has been his chief occupation in later years and which now engrosses his attention. He chose as a companion on life's journey Miss Margaret HARRIS, who was born in Butler County, Pa., March 30, 1830, and is a daughter of William and Margaret (EVANS) HARRIS. When a young man her father removed from Virginia to Pennsylvania, where he married Miss EVANS, a lady of Welsh descent. Ten children wer born unto them, six sons and four daughters, but the wife of our subject is the only one whose home is in Iowa. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. BLAKELEY was celebrated on the 28th of June, 1848, in Butler County, Pa., where they at once began their domestic life, remaining in the neighborhood for some two years. It was the desire of the husband to try his fortune in the new State of Iowa and to this end he spent the winter of 1850-51 in Arkansas, engaged in chopping wood, whereby he procured the money to bring himself and family to Fairfield. The 10th of May, 1851, saw the realization of his hopes. A struggle with poverty then began but triumph awaited him in the end. On his arrival in Iowa he had not a chair or a table with which to furnish his house and in addition he was not free from indebtedness. When company came the door was taken from its hinges and used as a table, and for other necessaries like conveniences were resorted to. Truly necessity is the mother of invention, and what their limited store could not supply their fertile brains provided. To supply the wants of his family, Mr. BLAKELEY began work in a brickyard. He also aided in the erection of a second steam sawmill in the county, which turned out much of the lumber used in the construction of the first houses. Subsequently he purchased an interest in a wagon shop, picked up the trade and for seven years did a good business in that line, after which, having accumulated some capital he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and began the development of a farm. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made but clearing away the brush he plowed the land and soon abundant harvests were gathered as the result of his persistent efforts. In 1861, Mr. BLAKELEY returned to the East, locating in Oil City, Pa., where he carried on his trade of wagon-making for a year, returning to his Iowa farm in 1862.

The Civil War was then in progress and, although he himself did not enter the service, his family was well represented, five of his brothers entering the ranks. Archibald served as Colonel of the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry; William was Colonel of the fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Thomas was Post Hospital Steward of the Seventy-eight Pennsylvania Infantry. The other two brothers were privates and did as effective service for their country as the three mentioned, although in a less conspicuous way -- Harvey dying at Atlanta, Ga., while en route with Gen. Sherman while making his famous march, and the other four were all spared to get home.

The sun of prosperity has shone upon the pathway of Joseph BLAKELEY and crowned his efforts with success, yet at times his sky has been darkened by clouds of adversity. The reward of industry, perseverance and good management has, however, made him a comparatively wealthy man. He is a Republican in politics and as a citizen is true to every trust reposed in him.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. BLAKELEY eight children were born, but the eldest, William H., died when about two years of age; Margaret Jane is now the wife of Henry McKINNEY, of Clark County, Mo.; Elizabeth E. is at home; Oscar C. married Clara TURNHAM and is engaged in farming in Jefferson County, as is also his brother -- John E., who married Oregon M. REED; Josie H. is at home; James M. is a resident farmer of Jefferson County; George W. is still under the parental roof.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.