The
subject of this sketch, W. W. Blakslee, was born in 1821, at Springville,
Susquehanna Co., Pa. He had the
advantages of the common schools of that day, namely, about three months of the
year, and that in winter. In those days
the pedagogue was not required to hold a degree of qualification from a normal
school, and county superintendents were an unknown quantity. If an applicant possessed a muscular frame, had plenty of grit, was an adept in
the use of the birch, reasonably familiar with the common branches, willing to
board around, and take ten dollars a month, he was employed, the directors
satisfied, and the children, of course, enlightened. This was fifty years ago, and yet in those days were sown seed that
germinated, producing some of the brightest intellects of this century. Our subject remained under the parental roof
until about twelve years of age, when he determined to do for himself. Mauch Chunk was then becoming a wonderful
place, the finding and developing of coal was attracting attention. Asa Packer, the sagacious and energetic
pioneer, was pushing with indomitable will those plans which were eventually to
result in making the Lehigh Valley famous, and the bold pioneer's name a
household word throughout the anthracite coal region. In the fall of 1833 an opportunity was afforded. Charles Ashley was preparing to move to the
coal region in search of fortune. The
journey was to be made by turnpike. All
the household effects were loaded on a wagon, to which three horses were
attached. Mr. and Mrs. Ashley took
passage on the wagon, and young Blakslee rode the lead-horse. Thus the entire journey to Mauch Chunk was
made. Upon arrival he was welcomed in
the family of Asa Packer, where he found a home. Their kindness will ever be remembered by him. While in their family Judge Packer sent him
to school, under the instructions of that famous teacher, James Nolan, one of the
best instructors of that day, to whom Robert H. Sayre and many others of the Lehigh
Valley are indebted for that knowledge which prepared them for the work they
have performed.
During the
boating season, young Blakslee was a towpath boy, driving for different
individuals who were boating coal for Packer & Co. He gives a vivid description of the great
meteoric shower of Nov. 13, 1833. It
occurred about two o'clock in the morning.
He was then driving on the towpath, on the return trip. All around was a vast shower, falling as
thick as snowflakes and as noiselessly, disappearing immediately upon reaching
the ground. It created great
consternation among the superstitious, who imagined the world was to be
consumed. In 1836, Mr. Blakslee, having
by strict attention won the confidence of Mr. Packer, was placed in his store
at Rockport, then known as Grog Hollow.
In 1839 he was sent to the store at White Haven, and after a short
service there he was transferred to the principal store in Mauch Chunk, the
famous corner store. After a service of
four years, having given evidence of ability, and being entirely trustworthy,
he was given charge of the store at Nesquehoning, where he remained about
six-teen years. Judge Packer then
decided to retire from the mercantile business, and devote his energies to the
development of his railroad interests.
Mr. Blakslee, in 1857, came to Weatherly, having bought out the
mercantile business of R. D. Stiles, who moved to Morrison, Ill. Mr. Blakslee was married to Miss S. Beadle,
an English lady. The fruit of their
union was nine children, three boys and three girls of whom are living. In politics he is a Democrat. During his
twenty-seven years in Weatherly he has prospered. He is a shrewd merchant, possessed of ample competence. His home is pleasant, yet no display. In his union he was blest with one of the
best of women. Mrs. Blakslee is of a
retiring disposition, yet keenly alive to the wants of the distressed, her many
kind and charitable acts having endeared her to many.
*****************************
From
The History of the Counties of Lehigh & Carbon, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
By
Alfred Mathews & Austin N. Hungerford
Published in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1884
Transcribed from the original in July, 2002 by
Vincent
E Summers
[3X-great-grandson of David Weatherly Sr., namesake of the town of Weatherly]
Web
page by
August
2002