How the Blakleys Came to Sangamon County

The Blakleys did not always reside in Sangamon County, Illinois. Here is an account of how they came to call Springfield and the surrounding areas home.

We begin the story all the way back in Germany in 1851. Matthias Blakley is born December 19, 1851, to parents John George Bloechle and Saloma Shuler. For reasons unknown, Matthias boards a ship bound for "North Amerika" in 1873. He arrives the same year in the United States.

We lose track of him for the next 27 years, but during this time, he has made his way from the port of arrival to the heart of the Midwest. The 1900 United States Census finds Matthias and his large family of seven children living in Rochester Township, Sangamon County, Illinois. Matthias (48) and Kate (36) live with children: George J. (18), William J. (15), Charley (12), Freddie A. (10), Clara S. (8), Lucas D. (5), and Emma (3). Matthias is a farmer who owns a home (with a mortgage) on a farm. Sons George and William are listed as farm laborers. Kate had had a total of eight children, all of whom are still living (one has obviously moved out by 1900). Also, Matthias and Kate have been married for 19 years. It's interesting to note, too, that Kate's father was born in France.

1900 United States Census, Rochester Township, Sangamon County, Illinois

Son William Jacob appears to have remained in Sangamon County. We do not have much information on exactly where he lived, but during World War II, his registration cards still show him as living in Sangamon County, although he has moved from Rochester Township to the city (or country) of Springfield. He lists his occupation as a farmer, the practice he knew as a child.

William Jacob Blakley's Registration Card, World War II

William Jacob Blakley married Edna Lula Kirby and has the following children: Charles, Fanny, Claude, Ralph, Anna, Arthur, Paul, Don, Glenn, and Richard. We pick up the story with the eldest Charles. Charles Garold Blakley was born April 7, 1907, in Illinois. He married Mary Carmen Horn on October 1, 1929. In 1931, the Springfield, Illinois, City Directory lists him as a sub-rural carrier.

1931 Springfield, Illinois, City Directory

In 1940, we find Garold and Mary living in Woodside Township in Sangamon County. Garold (33) and Mary (35) are living with children Phylis (5) and James (2). Garold is listed as a proprietor for retail farm equipment. He shows that he worked 72 hours in the previous week and worked 52 weeks out of the year. His income is not shown, however. The couple owns a home worth $2000. Both completed high school.

1940 United States Census, Woodside Township, Sangamon County, Illinois

Garold's son James Garold grows up and marries Margaret Gilson, and they have a son named James Arthur Blakley. James Arthur Blakley gives birth to Casey Blakley, and he has two daughters named Micaiah Rian and Kiayla Aiden. The Blakleys still call Sangamon County home.