GEORGE BLAKEMAN |
The venerable George Blakeman, shoemaker, merchant, investor, businessman and politician, was a prominent fixture for a century in East Derby. He is instantly recognizable in turn-of-the-century photographs captured near East Derby landmarks.
He was an incorporator of the Derby Savings Bank, on the Board of Officers of the Manufacturers Bank (reorganized as the Birmingham National Bank), Secretary and Treasurer of the Shelton Tack Company, member of the Connecticut State Legislature and local selectman.
He owned a grocery and dry goods business in East Derby and
by 1893 was the oldest member of the King Hiram Lodge No. 12 of Derby (Order
of Masons). He built the residence that would later become the Sawyer
Mansion.
When Mr. Blakeman reached his 100th birthday on October 10, 1899 the town had a massive celebration as detailed in his New York Times obituary, he passed away only several months later. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in New Haven.
