DOB extrapolated from June 1900 census for Neenah, Winnebago, Wisconsin,
USA, which lists David Blakely's age as 86, birth month as Oct, and birth
year as 1813. This is corroborated by the death certificate and the
information from the cemetery.
New York is named as David's birthplace on his son, Josiah's, death
certificate, as well as in the 1860 and 1900 censuses, and further
corroborated by David's death certificate. His parents are indicated
as having been born in Connecticut, per the 1900 census.
David Blakely was a farmer, according to census records, although his
g-granddaughter, Marie Blakely remembers being told that he was a
minister. He married Mary Ann Blackman, from Pennsylvania. After
Mary Ann's death in 1867, he married Sarah M (surname unknown).
Sarah died in 1877. It is not known if he married again. He is
living alone by the 1900 census. His death certificate indicates
Mary Ann as the spouse's name, but the burial record has Sarah listed as
wife.
Mary Ann and David lived on a farm near Otsego, NY until 1855, when they
moved to Neenah WI. The 1860 census for Neenah shows the Blakely family
with five children. Josiah, the eldest, is 14 and the youngest is 5
years of age. All the children are shown as having been born in WI. The
census is not the best quality film, especially the page listing the last
two children. The name "Harriet" is a best guess, though
her age and sex were readable, also place of birth. A letter from Mary
Ann's sister dated 1864, begins "To all the dwellers in the log
cabin, Greeting...". Thus we know that the farm in Neenah had a
log cabin on it. The1860 census names his assets as $1400 real estate and
$200 value of personal property. The 1900 census indicates he owns
his farm, free of any mortgage. It is likely the same farm which is
referred to in the 1860 census.
The 1900 census for Neenah shows David living alone. His son,
Josiah, has returned from missionary work in China and has settled nearby.
David is 86 yrs old in the 1900 census. His date of death is 24 Dec 1902.
Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah WI gives four family members in the Blakely Lot:
Hattie E, daughter
Mary Ann, wife
Sarah M, wife
David Blakely, owner
The lot description is given as W1/2 66, Block #. Oak Hill is a
non-denominational cemetery.
The marriage record for David and Mary Ann (Susquehanna County PA] gives
his name as David Blakely Jr.
David's death certificate gives father's name, David, and his mother's
name, Mary.
1880 census for Winnebago County, Neenah Township:
BLAKELY, David, occ farmer, head of household, widower, white male, age
66, birthplace NY, father and mother's birth place CT
BILLINGTON, Maria, occ Keeping House, white single female, age 24,
birthplace WI
BILLINGTON, Mary, no occ listed, white single female, age 31, birthplace
WI, parents' birthplace WI
PLAYMOS, Wm, occ Farm Laborer, single white male, age 12, birthplace WI,
parents' birthplace Germany
1900 census for Winnebago County, Neenah Township shows David living on
the farm next to his son Josiah and family.
David Blakely was a farmer, according to census records, although his
g-granddaughter, Marie Blakely, remembers being told that he was a
minister. He married Mary Ann Musson Blackman, from Montrose,
Pennsylvania.
Mary Ann and David lived on a farm near Otsego, New York until 1855, when
they moved to Neenah Wisconsin. The 1860 census for Neenah shows the
Blakely family with five children. Josiah, the eldest, is 14 and the
youngest is 5 years of age. All the children are shown as having been born
in New York, except for Hattie, born in Wisconsin. A letter from Mary
Ann=s sister dated 1864, begins ATo all the dwellers in the log cabin,
Greeting...@. Thus we know that the farm in Neenah had a log cabin
on it. The 1860 census names his assets as $1400 real estate and
personal property value of $200.
Mary Ann died Jan 12, 1867 at age 44. Subsequently David remarried.
Second wife, Sarah died in Mar of 1877. The 1900 census for Neenah shows
David living alone, probably on the same farm, as the census indicates
ownership without mortgage. His son, Josiah, has returned from
missionary work in China and has settled nearby. David is 86 yrs old
in the 1900 census.
David's death certificate names Oak Hill Cemetery, Neenah, as place of
interment. The cemetery provided information on all those who are
buried in the Blakely plot. They are: Hattie E, daughter, age 7;
Mary Ann, wife, age 44; Sarah M., wife; David Blakely, owner, 89.
Oak Hill is described as being a non-denominational cemetery. The
Lot is described as W1/2 66, Block #1st, Neenah.
David's Death Certificate names Old Age as cause of death, with secondary
cause as Weak Heart.
The Neenah Daily Times, Wednesday evening, December 24, 1902, printed
David's obituary, which follows: ANOTHER PIONEER - Is Called to His Last
Rest.
"At 9:30 o'clock last night, at the home of his son Josiah Blakely,
in town of Neenah, the spirit of our old, well known and esteemed townsman
David Blakely passed away to the great beyond. His age was
eighty-nine years on Oct. 26, 1902. His disease was of the heart and
general debility. He leaves three children, Josiah, Clarence, and Mrs.
Mary E Frazier, of California.
Was born at Otsego, N.Y. Came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1854,
locating on a farm in town of Neenah, and where he resided till his death,
nearly a half century. Some twenty-five years ago he was chairman of
the Neenah town board of supervisors. He was for over forty-five
years a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, of which he was for
years a deacon. In politics Mr. Blakely was sincere and radical,
a Republican for many years but later of the Greenback party, and
later still a
Populist. and always able to express his reasons for his faith. He
was a man held in high esteem by all, as he was an honest, truehearted
man. The funeral will be from the house on Friday, Dec. 26, at 10:30
a. m., Rev. J. E. Chapin officiating".
Revised 25 Jul 2007
by Donna Bell Cross
gg granddaughter
