Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 364 - 365 

JOHN M. BLAKELY. This model man and citizen is one of whom the biographer delights to write, worthy and upright, held in high esteem by his neighbors, devoted to his family, intelligent and capable as a business man, and who, as a contractor and builder, takes pride in the beauty and correctness of his work and aims at nothing else than the highest excellence therein. He became a resident of Wichita in 1880, and in connection with his business of contracting, has dealt considerably in real estate, from which he derives a comfortable income. 

            The Empire of Germany has contributed to the United States some of its best citizens, who have aided especially in the development of the rich resources of the Western country. Our subject, a native of the little Kingdom of Wurtemberg, was born on the 21st of March, 1829, and is the son of George and Christine (Finkbeiner) Blakely, who were all of German birth and ancestry. The father was a lumber merchant, and both parents spent their entire lives upon their native soil. Their family included eight children, four sons and four daughters. 

            Our subject, in accordance with the laws and customs of his native country, was placed in school at an early age, where he continued until reaching his fourteenth year. He then commenced an apprenticeship at the cabinet trade, and after serving three years, started out to see something of the continent, traveling throughout Germany and Switzerland, at the same time paying his expenses by working at his trade. In 1847, soon after his eighteenth birthday, he embarked on a steamer at Havre, and after a safe voyage landed in the city of New York. There he occupied himself at his trade six months, then proceeded to Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained a resident of the Queen City for a period of six years. 

            Young Blakely, still proceeding westward, next became a resident of Galena, Ill., where he commenced as a contractor, and in due time gave employment to eight or ten men. Two years later we find him in Red Wing, Minn., where he also built up and carried on a large business as contractor. From the North he proceeded southwestward into the western part of Texas, and for a time abandoned the building business and engaged in the purchase and sale of live stock. He in due time had under his supervision a ranch of 640 acres, stocked with 1,500 head of cattle. He was thus employed until 1880, when he left the ranch, and taking up his residence in Wichita, resumed business as a contractor, in which he has since been engaged. 

            The marriage of John M. Blakely and Miss Susan Cogel, of Cincinnati, Ohio, was celebrated at the home of the bride in that city, March 24, 1854. Mrs. B. was born Aug. 26, 1832, in Lancaster, Pa., and is the daughter of Gotlieb and Barbara (Dice) Cogel, also natives of Wurtemberg, who emigrated to America in 1831, and first settled in Lancaster, Pa. In 1833 they removed to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in different occupations. The parents are now deceased. Their household included six children, five of whom are living, and residents of Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois and Minnesota. 

            The marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of nine children, namely: George, who died in infancy; William F., Eleanor M., Charles A., Lydia C., George M., Nellie S., Harry C. and Agnes C. Mr. Blakely has taken especial care to give his children a good education, and his removal to Wichita was solely for this purpose. They are all living and present a very interesting family group, being bright and intelligent, and most justly the objects of pride and affection by their parents. The second son is engaged in the grocery trade, being located at the corner of Third and Main streets. 

            Mr. Blakely, politically, has been an adherent of the Republican party since casting his first Presidential vote, and held the office of School Trustee in his township while living in Texas. He is public spirited and liberal, and gives according to his means to the enterprises which have for their object the social, moral and financial welfare of the city. With his family he is a member in good standing of the German Methodist Church, in which he officiates as Trustee. The Blakely residence is pleasantly located at No. 927 East Central street, and is the resort of the cultivated and intelligent people, who have learned to value its inmates according to their true worth.

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