Blakeslee, George W.

GEORGE W. BLAKESLEE, P.O. Spartansburg, was born in Sparta Township, this county, April 12, 1830, oldest son of Jesse A. and Betsey Blakeslee; the former, when seventeen years old, came to this county with his father, David Blakeslee, brothers and sister, his mother having died in New York State. They remained two years in Meadville, Penn., before coming to Sparta Township, and from there they came through the woods over what is now known as the State road and settled on the farm now owned by their son Hiram. Jesse Blakeslee was twice married, on the first occasion, in 1829, to Betsey McCray, by whom he had seven children, five now living. His wife dying in 1850 he married in 1851, Mrs. Fannie Pierce, who bore him three children, two now living. He died in 1872. His widow is now living with her son Hiram, on the old homestead. Our subject received a common school education and then engaged in agricultural pursuits, purchasing 125 acres of land of A. Huidekoper, which he has cleared and improved and added to until he now has a fine farm of 150 acres. On April 29, 1859, he was married to Francenia, daughter of N. Pierce, an early settler of this county. To this union have been born five children: Ernest, Adell, Arthur, Mark and Victor. Mr. Blakeslee has always been a stanch Democrat. He has filled several of the township offices.