William Blanksby

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William Blanksby
JP
Born 1820
Died 9 August 1899 (aged 79)[1]
Burwood
Burial place Burwood Cemetery, Burwood[2]
Occupation Preacher
Employer Primitive Methodist Church[1]
Religion Christian (Methodist)
Spouse(s) Millicent Blanksby
Children John Blanksby, James Blanksby MLC (NSW), F. Mace[1]


William Blanksby was an early landowner of Boroondara and one of the longest-serving councillors in the history of Boroondara. He served as a member of the Boroondara District Roads Board and on one of its successor councils, the Shire of Boroondara, for 30 consecutive years.

Life

William Blanksby first settled in Norwood in 1855. He was described as a "loyal supporter" of George Paton Smith, another local landowner and politician. He worked for 50 years as a lay preacher for the Primitive Methodist Church, travelling long distances to spread his message. In 1873, it was calculated that he had travelled over 12,000 kilometres and preached over 1,500 sermons in the course of his work. He also served as superintendent of the local Sunday School in this capacity.[1]

He was made a Justice of the Peace in 1878.[1]

Politics

Blanksby was first elected to the Boroondara District Roads Board in 1857, and served continuously through its various incarnations. He remained a councillor on the Shire of Boroondara Council until he retired in 1888.

Despite being repeatedly put forward for nomination to be elected as a member of the Victorian Parliament, he reportedly refused all attempts.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 The Age. Death of an old resident of Boroondara. 15 August 1899. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202621359, accessed: 13 September 2016
  2. Find A Grave Memorial. William Blanksby. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Blanksby&GSiman=1&GSst=579&GSob=n&GRid=129200911&, accessed: 13 September 2016