Charles P. Blakeley Papers, 1858-1912

Charles P. Blakeley was born in Missouri on June 6, 1834. He married Elizabeth Downing in 1856 in Kansas. When the Civil War broke out, Blakeley enlisted in the Missouri State Guard and served under General Sterling Price in the first six months of the conflict. Blakeley attempted to quit the war and return home, but was arrested by the Union Army as a former Confederate soldier. He escaped confinement in St. Joseph, Missouri and with his family moved west, arriving in Denver in 1863. They proceeded to Virginia City, Montana, arriving on May 16, 1964. In October, they moved to the Gallatin Valley where Blakeley purchased farmland, which he called Farmington Ranch near Old Central City on the West Gallatin River. From 1866-67, he served in the Montana Territorial Legislature. After mining in Deer Lodge County, Montana in 1870, he returned to the Gallatin Valley and became an undersheriff for John C. Guy, 1871-72. After running for sheriff unsuccessfully, he returned to his ranch between 1874-1878. In 1878 he moved to Bozeman, where he was under sheriff for William S. McKinzie and the deputy assessor for four years. In 1882 he was elected Sheriff of Gallatin County. Charles P. Blakeley served as a legislator and the Speaker of the 1st State Legislature in 1888. He was appointed as the Register of the US Land Office in Bozeman, 1894-1898. In 1908 he was elected Sergeant at Arms of the Montana Legislature. Charles P. Blakeley died February 24, 1912 at the age of 77.