James Blakely, dairyman, Jackson, was born in Delaware County, N.Y., Feb. 10, 1833, where he was reared on a farm. His parents, James and Margaret (McNaughton) Blakely, were natives of the same State. In 1852 he took a trip to California, via the Isthmus, and was four weeks in making the voyage; he landed in San Francisco, where he remained a short time, and then went to the mining regions, where he remained six years in mining and two years worked at farming. In the meantime he took a trip to the Frazier River in the British Possessions, making the trip in three months. In I860 he came back to his home in New York, and married Miss Helm Leal, who was born July 20, 1838. Their 2 children are Clarence L., born Dec. 29, 1862, and Helen L., born Jan. 1, 1872. Mr. B. remained in New York State about two years, and in 1863, taking his family with him, went to California, where he remained only one year. In 1865 he returned again to California, and remained about three months, thus making three trips to the Golden State. He remained in New York about two years, then came to Jackson County, where he has followed farming and dairying; has one of the finest dairies in the county. In 1872 his barn was burnt and he lost 39 cows, besides hay and grain.

The History of Jackson County, Michigan