JOHN W. BLAKEY, post office, Pawnee, was born December 30, 1841; his parents were John M. and Frances Blakey, natives of Culpepper county, Virginia; they were married and moved to Missouri about 1839; they had seven children, four sons and three daughters, all living, one of whom was a physician, two merchants, and one farmer. John W. was the sixth child, and was born in Howard county, Missouri; he remained there until July, 1864, then went to St. Louis to attend Commercial College; he graduated in October, 1864, having previously attended Central College, and was within six months of graduating when the war broke up the college. In 1865, he came to this county and settled at Pawnee, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits; this he has continued to the present time. May 7, 1867, he married Amanda E., daughter of Philip W. and Amanda E. Weber, who was born in this county March 3, 1846, and was educated at Pawnee. They have had three children, Annie May, born April 22, 1868, and died September 5, 1868; Edgar L., born April 16, 1871, and Charles L., born May 4, 1875. Mr. B. was elected town clerk in 1870, and at each succeeding election since.