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, Colorado Territory, in 1863. They proceeded to Virginia City, Montana Territory, arriving on May 16, 1864. In October, they moved to the Gallatin Valley, Montana Territory, where Blakeley purchased farmland, which he called Farmington Ranch near Old Central City on the West Gallatin River. From 1866 to 1867, he served in the Montana Territorial Legislature. After mining in Deer Lodge County, Montana Territory, in 1870, he returned to the Gallatin Valley and became an undersheriff for John C. Guy, from 1871 to 1872. After running for sheriff unsuccessfully, he returned to his ranch between 1874 and 1878. In 1878, he moved to Bozeman, Montana Territory, where he was undersheriff 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, from 1894 to 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.