MAJOR T. J. BLAKENEY 

Major T. J. Blakeney, Superintendent of the Life-saving Service, Twelfth United States Life-saving District, embracing the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington—from the boundary line of Mexico on the south to British Columbia on the north. 

This gentleman is a native of the State of New York, having been born at Peekskill, Westchester county, November 3, 1835. His education and early training was received at the Peekskill Academy, of which seminary his father, Thomas Blakeney, was one of the founders and patrons. 

Young Blakeney subsequently removed to the city of New York and entered the office of Doctor John Howe as a student of dentistry, and in December, 1855, sailed for California via Nicaragua, reaching San Francisco on the steamer Uncle Sam in January, 1856. 

He at once proceeded to Sacramento and entered upon the practice of dentistry, being among the earliest and most successful dentists in the capital city. Dr. Blakeney assisted at the first organization of the Republican party on the Pacific coast, March 8, 1856, and at once became an ardent advocate of its principles. During the Lincoln campaign in 1860 he was chairman of the Sacramento County Republican Central Committee, and through his direction the vote of that county was changed from about 3,000 Democratic to about 1,500 Republican. This great gain gave the State to the Republicans by a plurality of 741 votes, and perhaps may have so strengthened the Union cause as to discourage any contemplated attempt at secession on the Pacific coast. 

Dr. Blakeney was present in Washington at the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, March 4, 1861. Among other Californians he volunteered, and as accepted by General Winfield Scott to stand in the crowd during the ceremonies of the inauguration for the purpose of quelling any outbreak of violence by secessionists which was feared at the time. 

Immediately after the proclamation of the President was issued calling for 75,000 volunteers, Dr. Blakeney had an interview with Senator E. B. Baker, in New York, on the subject of raising a regiment in response to the call, to be composed as largely as possible of men who had been on the Pacific coast. After consulting the President by telegraph, Senator Baker authorized Blakeney, Frank Lemon and Rod. Mathewson to recruit a regiment to be known as the “First United States Volunteers of California.” Under this authority over 1,000 men were enlisted and quartered in Fort Schuyler, New York harbor. 

The plan of Baker was that the officers of this regiment should be commissioned by the President of the United States, and that the regiment should be designated as the “First Regiment United States Volunteers of California.” After several days spend in drilling these raw men at Fort Schuyler, Chester A. Arthur, the Adjutant-General of the State of New York, called upon Baker and notified him, by the authority of Governor Morgan, that the men enlisted in the State must be accredited to its quota, and that the Governor would insist upon his right to commission the officers. Upon this announcement Senator Baker threw up the regiment and its was subsequently organized as the Thirty-second New York, with Rod. Mathewson as Colonel and Frank Lemon, Major. 

After this Senator Baker proceeded to Philadelphia, and within a short time raised 1,500 men and organized the troops then known as the “First California Regiment.” 

The subject of this sketch joined the regiment at Suffolk Park, May, 1861 as Second Lieutenant, Company K, was afterward promoted to be First Lieutenant, Company C, and finally as Captain, Company C. He served with the regiment, either on the staff of the general commanding the brigade or with his company, until after Burnside’s battle at Fredericksburg, when he received appointment as Major of the First Cavalry, California Volunteers, and reported for duty to General Carlton, commanding the Department of New Mexico. While in this command Major Blakeney made several successful campaigns against the Navajo and Apache Indians, both of which tribes were the hostile and exceedingly troublesome. 

At the close of the war he returned to Sacramento, arriving at his old home during the political strife which was disgraced by what was called a “spittoon convention,” at which the delegates representing the opposing factions in the Republican party assailed each other at the State capital with spittoons. What was known as the “Long Hair” wing of the party, after withdrawing from the association with the “Short Hair” wing, proceeded to nominate a ticket to be voted for legislative and county offices. Major B. was by this party nominated for the office of County Clerk. The split in the party caused his defeat. 

He was subsequently appointed by the President, Assessor of the Fourth Internal Revenue District, which office he filled with satisfaction to the Government four years, when he resigned to enter into mercantile business in San Francisco. 

On taking up his residence at San Francisco, Major Blakeney found the city swarming with ex-soldiers and sailors, many of whom were without either means or work to support themselves. In order to do something to improve the condition of such, he inaugurated steps to organize all honorable discharged soldiers and sailors and secure their recognition and employment. The organization was known as the “Veteran Corps,” and its President was Major T. J. Blakeney. About 1,500 names were enrolled in the organization, which held regular meetings, and accomplished much good for its members. Finally dissension arose within the society, and having fulfilled the objects for which it was formed it disbanded. 

In the spring of 1867 Major Blakeney organized the Grand Army of the Republic on this coast, under authority from the Grand Commander of the order. The first initiations into the society were made by him within sound of the roar of the surf on the ocean beach south of the Cliff House, and under the light of a beautiful full moon. The command of the department was subsequently transferred by Major Blakeney to General John F. Miller. 

Major Blakeney has been in charge of the Life-saving Service on the Pacific Coast since 1882. Several efforts to effect his removal from office have been made by political opponents, but without avail. His administration of the important duties assigned to him has been approved by the department under which the service is conducted, and the probability is that he will be in harness yet many years as a faithful and efficient officer. 

Transcribed by Donna L. Becker 

Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 1, pages 524-526 , Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.