Person:Russell Blakely (1)

History of Kent County, Michigan ; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships ... biographies of representative citizens. History of Michigan ..., page 531 Dr. Russel L Blakeley (deceased). This loved and respected Christian man was born in Aurora, Erie Co., N.Y., Aug. 5, 1817. In 1841 he married the estimable Christiana Grover, daughter of Hon. Benona Grover, of Orleans Co., N.Y. He came to Grand Rapids in 1846, in the month of May, and located Government land where Hon. O.F. Hyde now resides, in the Village of Rockford. He also entered the land now occupied by the Rockford Cemetery, in which his body has lately been buried. The Doctor did not remain at Grand Rapids long, but soon moved to his tract of land. At his solicitation the gospel was first preached in Rockford (then Laphamville), in his house. He, assited by Rev. Jas. Ballard, of Grand Rapids, organized the Congregational Church in his house. This was the first church organized in Laphamville. The first Sabbath-school was organized in his house. In that early day there was no other physician between Grand Rapids and Greenville, and the Doctor traveled all the country over for many miles around. At the time he settled here was not a plastered house in Rockford, and the mail eas brought once a week in a mans pocket. The Doctor taught the first school in Laphamville, and attended his patients at night at the same time. He never refused to go, night or day, and always had a kind word for all. His wise councel was much sought for, and highly appreciated by his amny friends. In speaking of his great interest manifested in having the gospel preached, we should do him the honor to state that he tore down the partition in his house to make room sufficient to hold an audience. He was a zealous Christian and the main pillar of the Congregational Church. When in his last illness, which was very short, he called his family around him and exhorted them to live Christian lives, and to meet him in heaven, where they would part no more. He died July 22, 1881, loved and esteemed by all. The Doctor and Mrs. Blakeley had eight children, of whom seven are living, viz.: Hattie (Lester), an old teacher of Kent county; Chas. E., a druggist, of Cooperville, Mich.; Royal C., a farmer near Rockford; Emma D. (Brantner) of Rockford; Celestia (Critchlow), of the vicinity of Rockford; George G., clerck for his brother Chas. E., and H. Elgin, at home. The above named children, except Mrs. Lester, were all born in Rockford.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~mikent/towns/rockford/centennial/congregational.html Rockford Michigan Centennial Celebration Program ~

History of the Rockford Congregational Church

The Congregational Church was organized in Grand Rapids on February 17, 1847 in the home of Dr. and Mrs. C. Blakely which stood where the Prescott home now stands. The Blakeleys came from New England and had planned to settled in Grand Rapids but the need of a doctor in Laphamville caused the family to make their home in this village. The little community had no church but after a conference with Rev. James Ballard, pioneer Congregational missionary, special services were held after which the articles of the church covenant were drawn up and signed by fifteen members including Dr. and Mrs. Blakely, Mr. and Mrs. Stoddard and Mrs. Sears. The names of the other signers are unknown.

History of Rockford Public Schools

When the early pioneers settled in Laphamville, as Rockford was then called the first thing they did after building their homes was to establish a school and church.

Dr. R. L. Blakely, is credited with organizing the first school. He moved to Rockford in the early forties and when he built this home (about 1845) he reserved one upright wing for a school room. Here he taught a private or "select" school for a few children in the village for about three or four months. His other work required so much of is time that he persuaded Miss Amy Ann Lapham to teach.

Name: Blakeley, R. L. (Dr.) Date: 27 July 1881 Paper: Rockford Register Page 2 Published: Rockford, Kent Co. MI

Name: Blakeley, R. L. (Dr.) Date: 3 August 1881 Paper: Rockford Register Page 2 Published: Rockford, Kent Co. MI

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} http:/www.rootsweb.com/~mikent/cemeteries/plainfield/rockford/rkfd-bi-by.html.