Ephraim Blakeslee

Ephraim Blakeslee was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly.

Biography

Blakeslee was born on May 12, 1838, in Fenner, New York.[1] During the American Civil War, he served with the 12th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the Union Army, achieving the rank of captain. He died in February 1911.

Carte de Visite of Ephraim Blakeslee

This Carte de Visite shows Ephraim Blakeslee , who was born in Fenner, New York, on May 12, 1838, and as a young child moved with his family to Wisconsin, where they settled near Ironton in Sauk County. He grew up tall and strong on the family farm, standing an imposing 6 feet tall with brown hair and brown eyes. At the age of 23, he married Mary Ballard and six months later, in September 1861, volunteered to serve in the Union Army.

He joined Company B, 12th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment as a 1st Sergeant and served in that capacity until accepting a commission as 2nd Lieutenant of Company H in May 1862. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of the company in January 1864 and in August, he was detached to command Company E. A member of that company, Hosea Rood, later wrote about Blakeslee, "We liked him very much- I think all our men who marched to the sea would vote with both hands that Eph. Blakeslee was not only a most excellent company commander, but a royal good fellow, besides." As alluded to by Rood, Blakeslee took part in the Atlanta campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolina campaign with the 12th Wisconsin. In April 1865, he received a promotion to Captain of Company H, and was mustered out with his men in July.

Returning to Sauk County, Blakeslee sold the family farm and moved into Ironton, where he engaged in the mercantile trade. He and his wife Mary had three children before she died in 1871. He married Caroline Swift two years later. Blakeslee died on February 22, 1911, and is buried at Resting Green Cemetery in Ironton.

Assembly career

Blakeslee was a member of the Assembly during the 1880 and 1881 session.[2] He was a Republican.

CPT Ephraim Blakeslee
BIRTH
12 May 1838 New York, USA
DEATH
Feb 1911 (aged 72) Ironton, Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA
BURIAL
Resting Green Cemetery Ironton, Sauk County, Wisconsin, USA
PLOT
Row 1/2
MEMORIAL ID
66197149

References
  1. THE BLUE BOOK OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. David Atwood. 1880. p. 509.
  2. Lawrence S. Barish, ed. (2007). State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2007 - 2008. p. 124.
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