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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ASA P. BLAKSLEE, general freight agent of the Montrose Railroad Company, with headquarters at Mauch Chunk, was born in the year 1854, in Carbon County, and is a son of James I. and Caroline Blakslee. His father is one of the oldest citizens of Mauch Chunk, is a leader in business circles, and for many years has been a Director in the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. He is also President of the Linderman National Bank, one of the solid financial institutions of Mauch Chunk. He is connected with a number of other important business enterprises which have added materially to the growth and prosperity of the city. He is straightforward and honorable in all his dealings, and his careful attention to details, his well directed efforts, and his systematic methods have brought him a success of which he is well deserving.

Mr. Blakslee, whose name heads this record, was reared in the county of his nativity, and during his youth attended its public schools. His education was completed in the schools of Philadelphia, after which he returned to his home in Mauch Chunk, and in order to make his own way in the world, entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company, serving in the capacity of clerk in the office of the passenger department. He was afterward in the freight department, and in 1873 was made general agent of the freight and passenger departments of the Montrose Railway, with headquarters in this city. In that position he has proven a most trusted and efficient officer, his long continued service well indicating his fidelity to duty.

In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Blakslee and Miss Louisa F. Sayre, a daughter of Francis R. Sayre, of Mauch Chunk. Their union has been blessed with two children: Louisa F., who is still with her parents, and Harriet, who is deceased. They are well known people of this community, and their friends in Mauch Chunk are many.

Mr. Blakslee takes considerable interest in civic societies. Socially he belongs to Carbon Lodge No. 242, F. & A. M., to Lilly Chapter No. 181, R. A. M., and to Packer Commandery No. 23. He also holds membership with the Knights of Pythias Lodge and the Royal Arcanum. Since 1879 he has been a member of the Marion Hose Company No. 1, and at this writing, in the summer of 1894, is Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, and President of the organization. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian, and is a communicant of St. Mark’s Church, in which he is now serving as Treasurer; he has been Vestryman for several years, and is one of the active workers in the interests of the society.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Carbon County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Carbon County, Pennsylvania Biographies

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