The name of Blakeslee has for years held an honored place in the business world of New Haven, and the family of that name have had prominent representative citizens in each generation since the early days of Connecticut. Those of whom we write are the son and grandsons of Matthew Gilbert and Rhoda (Dorman) Blakeslee, the former of New Haven and the latter of Hamden.

Charles Wells Blakeslee, son of Matthew, was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, August 11, 1824. At the age of ten years he was brought to Connecticut and for a time resided in Hamden with his brother, Matthew. He attended school during the winters and engaged in farm work in the summers for several seasons, but while yet a mere boy he began teaming and shortly after began taking small contracts in the city of New Haven. In 1844 he bought his home property of the English family. George street was then but a cow path, and most of the neighboring land was used for pasture, and Mr. Blakeslee engaged in fanning on the land now occupied by Grace Hospital. In 1872 he began taking contracts for street paving and the building of street railways. This he continued to follow, and his business assumed mammoth proportions. His sons became associated with him in the business under the firm name of C. W. Blakeslee & Sons and in later years took the greater part of the responsibility from the father's shoulders.

Mr. Blakeslee was married in New Haven to Miss Eliza Clark, a native of Milford, who died in New Haven, the mother of seven children, of whom two died in infancy, and one, Albert, died when three and a half years old. The others were Charles W. Jr.; Jeannette; Isabella and Mary.  For his second wife, Mr. Blakeslee married Mrs. Martha Jane Blair, of New Haven. By her first marriage she had two children: William H. Blair, a superintendent with the Charles W. Blakeslee & Company; and Jane, who became Mrs. Copley and died in 1900. By his second marriage Mr. Blakeslee became the father of six children: Dennis A.; Dwight W.; Phebe; Clarence; Martha, who married Lyman Law; and Theodore R.

In his political views in early life, Mr. Blakeslee was a whig, but from 1857 he was a firm supporter of republican principles. He was a Methodist in his religious belief and a member of the church of that denomination on George street in New Haven. Mr. Blakeslee passed away in January, 1916.