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1888 – 1961

M.L.A.

Moncton City

Born, Dec 22, 1888, at Moncton, N.B. Of Irish-Loyalist and English ancestry. Son of Sherman C. Blakeny, Contractor, coal and Ice Dealer, and his wife, Alice Warman (D. Apr 14, 1922). (Father of Loyalist and mother of English ancestry.) Sixth in descent from David Blakeny, a South Carolina Loyalist, who served in the Revolutionary War, and came to N.B. with his family in 1783. He was one of the original grantees of St. John, receiving a grant of Lot No. 776. He did not settle there, but moved in 1786 with his family and settled along the Petitcodiac River, near where the town of Petitcodiac now stands. Memoralized the Govt. for a grant of escheated lands, receiving later Lots 1, 3, 5, 7, comprising 795 acres on the North side of the river. Other members of the family received grants along the Petitcodiac and North Rivers. His grand-son, Charles Blakeny, moved to the Elgin district, and obtained a grant of virgin lands along the Pollett River, and established residence there.

Educated at Moncton High School, and Mount Allison University, graduating with the Degree of B.A. in 1915.

Located at Moncton, N.B. and engaged in the business established by his father. Blakeny Cartage, Coal & Ice; Pres. of Blakeny & Son, Ltd; and also Blakeny Hardware Store Ltd.; Blakeny Concrete Products Ltd.

Alderman, City of Moncton, for several years, and Mayor, 1929, and 1931 – 1934. Former Pres. of Maritime Board of Trade. Member of A.F. & A.M.; K. of P.; Rotary Club; Canadian Club. Hon. D.C.L., Univ. of N.B., and Dr. of Education from St. Joseph’s Univ.

Married, Sept 14, 1916, to Miss Lilah E. Lockhart, daughter of Edwin Lockhart, Esq., Moncton, N.B. By this marriage there was a family of two girls.

First elected to the House of Assembly, as member for Moncton City, at the G.E. of June 27, 1935. Re-elected at the G.E.’s of 1939, and 1941, and sat as member until 1948, when he was defeated in the nomination for the G.E. of that year. He unsuccessfully contested Moncton City at the G.E. of Sept 22, 1952.

At the opening of the Session, Feb 16, 1939, he was chosen Speaker of the House of Assembly, vice Hon. H.F.G. Bridges (Q.V.) resigned.

On Jan 10th, 1940, he was sworn in a member of the Executive Council of N.B. and received the appointment of Minister of Education, Federal & Municiapl Affairs in the Adm. of the Hon. J.B. McNair, formed March 13, 1940, and continued in these duties until 1948, when he retired from the House.

He died, May 23, 1961, at Moncton, N.B., aged seventy-two years. survived by his widow, and two daughters. Buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Moncton, N.B.

In Politics: a Liberal.
In Religion: United Church.

MC1156 – Graves Papers