Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Blakely, U S G 
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Author: Past and Present of Will County, IL; 1907

U. S. G. BLAKELY. Many measures and movements for the development and 
improvement of Plainfield owe their inception, adoption and successful 
execution to Ulysses S. G. Blakely, who for four successive terms has filled 
the office of president of the village. He is also postmaster and is the 
editor of the Plainfield Enterprise. In these connections also he has done 
effective service for the city and without invidious distinction he may well 
be termed one of its foremost residents. He was born May 9, 1868, in Elmore, 
Vermont. His father, Caleb Blakely, was of English parentage and became a 
coachmaker by trade. He was also an expert gunsmith, locksmith and general 
mechanic in iron and wood, being able to successfully accomplish almost any 
task in a mechanical line which he undertook. He, too, was a native of 
Vermont, and there married Katharine Deyo, who was of Irish lineage. They 
became the parents of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters, of 
whom Ulysses was the thirteenth in order of birth. Of the children Freddie and 
Eddie died in infancy and Frank at the age of twelve years, while Henry passed 
away at the age of thirty years. Ten of the number are still living: W. A. 
Blakely, of Petoskey, Michigan; Hartland Blakely, of Morrisville, Vermont, and 
seven sisters, three of whom are living in Vermont, three in Wisconsin and one 
in Illinois. Ulysses S. G. Blakely was only four years of age at the time of 
his mother's death and was left an orphan by his father's death when he was 
fourteen years of age. His education was acquired in the little district 
schools of Harrisville, Wisconsin, and in night schools elsewhere. From the 
age of twelve years he made his own way in the world and at the age of 
nineteen years found him married and half owner of the Plainfield Enterprise. 
In the succeeding year he became sole owner of the paper, which he has since 
conducted and which has now almost completed its twentieth year, enjoying the 
most lucrative patronage of any country weekly in the state. In 1901 the young 
editor, then only thirty-four years of age but with a record of fourteen years 
consecutive business success in Plainfield, was elected mayor of his town and 
a month later was appointed postmaster. He has since been three times returned 
as mayor and twice reappointed postmaster, the first appointment being a short 
term on account of the vacation of the senate at the time it was made. His 
administration in both the postoffice and village affairs has been aggressive 
and progressive. Three new rural routes have been established under his 
management of the government business here, giving Plainfield six rural 
routes, covering nearly one hundred and fifty miles a day and serving about 
six hundred families outside the village. Both local telephone systems are 
connected with the office, which thus reaches out to nearly every patron. In 
village affairs a new lighting system, an interurban street car system, 
increased capacity of the pumping station, extension of the water mains, 
increased facilities for fighting fire, five miles of cement sidewalk, beside 
new macadam streets and other minor improvements, stand to the credit of six 
years under the present municipal body, of which Mr. Blakely is president, and 
the work is still being pushed. His financial interests are represented by a 
large residence occupying a quarter of a block in Plainfield, equipped with 
gas, city water, bath, steam heat and all modern conveniences. He also has his 
printing plant and other business interests and land interests in Kansas. On 
the 23d of September, 1887, Mr. Blakely was married to Miss Linnwood 
Bartholomew, at Reading, Michigan, a daughter of Amos and Abbie Bartholomew. 
They have an adopted daughter six years old, who came to them when but six 
months old. Mrs. Blackley’s mother belonged to the Van Buren family and was a 
relative of President Van Buren. In politics Mr. Blakely is a stalwart 
republican and has done effective service as a county central committeeman, 
while his official service has already been indicated. He is a most 
enthusiastic worker for the party and keeps thoroughly informed on all the 
questions and issues of the day. Far six terms he has been venerable consul of 
the Woodmen lodge, which grew from one hundred members to one hundred and 
sixty-one, with one thousand dollars surplus under his administration. He is 
also a Mason and has held the offices of senior deacon and junior warden, 
acting in the latter capacity for four years. He is likewise a member of 
Joliet lodge, No. 296, B. P. O. E. He attends various churches and is a firm 
believer in the cause of religion. In fact, his aid and cooperation are given 
to every movement which tends to promote general development and improvements 
along social, material, political, intellectual and moral lines. 

Additional Comments:
PAST AND PRESENT OF WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS By W. W. Stevens President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association; Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907

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