BLAKELY, GEORGE, a successful farmer of Cotton Hill Township, Sangamon County, is a representative of the thrifty German American citizens who have had a large share in the development and progress of their region. Mr. Blakely was born at Wurtemburg, January 6, 1849, a son of John and Saloma (Shuler) Blakely, both natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a tailor and also worked on a farm. He was a soldier in the German Army for three years. A half sister of his came to Sangamon County in 1859 and located in Ball Township. John Blakely died in 1879 and his wife about 1876 or 1877.

In youth George Blakely was employed herding cattle. He received his education in the public schools and after leaving school engaged in farm work, which occupation he has since followed. He came to America when he was about twenty years of age and landed in Springfield Jun 5, 1869. He located on a farm in Ball Township, where he spent twenty years, then lived one year in Christian County, and in 1890 came to his present farm of eighty-five acres of land in Cotton Hill Township. He is a hardworking and intelligent man and has brought his land to a high state of productiveness. He has a good standing in the community, is a member of the German Lutheran Church and in politics is a Democrat.

Mr. Blakely was married in Springfield, Ill., February 20, 1879, to Miss Elizabeth Lenhart, who was born, May 27, 1861, daughter of Walter and Anna Lenhart, who came to America in 1855 and located in Springfield. Mr. Blakely and wife have no children, but their two nieces Addie and Helen Lenhart, have lived with them for the past eleven years. They have a very pleasant home, well situated on Section 4, Cotton Hill Township. Mr. Blakely is interested in whatever affects the general welfare of the community and is ready to perform his full duty as a citizen.