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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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GEORGE FINLEY BLAKESLEE is the manager and principal stockholder of the Du Quoin Iron Works Company, one of the leading industries of Perry County. He was born in Metamora, Woodford County, Ill., December 30, 1855, and is a son of Halidon Finley Blakeslee, a native of New York, who was given the name of Halidon by an old aunt, Minerva Judd, who was reading an old French book when she heard of his birth, and her eyes fell upon the word Halidon. Nothing would satisfy her but that this name be given to the child, which was done.

Like his family through past generations, Mr. Blakeslee was a machinist. He married Hannah Caroline Kingsbury, a native of Francestown, N. H., and a daughter of George Kingsbury, who was born in the same place, February 1, 1795. His grandfather removed to New Hampshire about 1794, and there spent his last days. The family was of English origin, and was founded in Dedham, Mass. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Blakeslee were, Harriet Newell, who was born July 9, 1824, and was educated in South Hadley, Mass.; George, who was born January 8, 1827, and educated in Francestown, N. H.; Sarah, who was born February 5, 1829, and educated in South Hadley, Mass.; Hannah Frances, who was born in November, 1831, and died in childhood; and Mark Justin, who was born November 12, 1837, and died in New London, Conn. The grandmother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sallie Everett, and is still living in the Granite State, at the advanced age of ninety-three. Her daughter, Mrs. Blakeslee, was educated in Mt. Holyoke Female Seminary, and came to Illinois with her eldest sister, Sarah, who was to become the wife of Julius Clark Blakeslee, but his death occurred ere their marriage was celebrated. Mr. Blakeslee, father of our subject, died in Du Quoin in 1878.

Our subject is the eldest of four children. His sister, Mary B., was born July 2, 1860, and is the wife of John L. Holmes, who is in the employ of the South Side Elevated Railroad of Chicago. She is a graduate of the musical department of the Rockford (Ill.) Female Seminary. They have three children: James Halidon, born September 12, 1882; Frank Everett, March 27, 1888; and Albert Lewis, April 21, 1891. Frank Arthur, a brother of our subject, was born in Du Quoin, May 17, 1864. He was educated in the State University at Champaign, and resides at Leadville, Colo., where he is master mechanic for the Arkansas Valley Smelting Company. He married Anna, daughter of ex-Judge Parks, of Du Quoin, and they have one child, Walter. Will Everett, another brother of our subject, was born in Du Quoin, May 19, 1868. He spent some years in Colorado, but is now in the employ of the Du Quoin Iron Works Company. He married September 14, 1893, Miss Minnie Alice, daughter of George Hyde, a mechanic of North Chelmsford, Mass. She is highly educated in music, and was a leading singer in one of the principal churches of Lowell, Mass.

G. F. Blakeslee acquired his early education in the schools of Du Quoin, and in 1876 entered the Illinois State University at Champaign, but the following year was compelled to leave college to take his father’s place in the firm of Blakeslee & Brother, for the latter’s health had failed. In 1878 he succeeded to his father’s interest in the business, with which he was connected until 1879, when he retired from the company. Like all of the family for generations, he had learned the machinist’s trade. Embarking in the hardware business in Du Quoin, he continued operations along that line until 1882, when he established the Du Quoin Iron Works Company, of which he is the principal owner. An extensive iron business is done, this being one of the leading industries of Du Quoin. He is also interested in the Excelsior Coal Mines, is a stockholder in the First National Bank, and a Director in the Perry County Coal Mines.

On the 5th of September, 1878, Mr. Blakeslee was united in marriage with Miss Mary R. Holt, in Portage, N. Y. Unto them were born six children: Harry Justin, born August 9, 1879; Bessie Bellaire, June 30, 1881; George Halidon, May 20, 1883; Clara Batelle, August 17, 1885; Carl Julius, Mary 25, 1887; and Mary Emily, January 23, 1889. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding an enviable position in social circles. The parents are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which Mr. Blakeslee served as Elder. In politics, he is inclined to be independent, and is now serving as a member of the City Council. He is regarded as one of the foremost business men of Du Quoin.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Perry County, Illinois family biographies here: Perry County, Illinois Biographies

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