1870 US Federal Census

Detail from 1870 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, Henry 40 M
Blakey, Jemima 40 F
Blakey, James 13 M
Blakey, George 7 M

Blakey, Edward 65 M

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Des Moines, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll M593_6; Page: 105; Image: 448.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003. Original data: 1870. United States. Ninth Census of the United States, 1870. Washington, D.C. National Archives and Records Administration. M593, RG29, 1,761 rolls. Minnesota. Minnesota Census Schedules for 1870. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. T132, RG29, 13 rolls.

Some of the Men Who Toiled Early and Late to Build Jackson

"Some of the Men Who Toiled Early and Late to Build Jackson," (Newspaper and date unknown). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Update (3 Nov 2009): I received from Linda Doepel a much higher quality scan of this image which I reproduce below. She found it in a book called An Illustrated History of Jackson County.


Pioneers. Illustration from Arthur P. Rose, An Illustrated History of Jackson County, Minnesota (Jackson, MN: Northern History Publishing Co., 1910), p. 147. Image courtesy of Linda Doepel.

Rose (1910, 119) also mentions Henry Blakey and his father Edward as some of the early settlers of Des Moines Township:

Jackson township (renamed Des Moines by act of the board of county commissioners May 16, 1866) had the other townships of the tier attached to it at the time of organization, as well as the tier north of it. It lost the northern tier early in 1867 by the organization of Belmont township, Wisconsin in 1869, and the townships to the west in 1872. Following are the early settlers of Des Moines who received titles from the government and the years the patents were issued:

. . . 1873, Milton Mason (4), Martin L. Bromaghim (12), Alpheus C. Marshall (12), Welch Ashley (12), Hans Chesterson (15), Stanton F. Stone (18), Hiram II. Stone (18), Emmet Miner (20-21), Joseph E. Fields (26-27), Horace L. Trumbull (27), Levi Bennett. Jr. (28), Henry Blakey (28), Edward J. Orr (29), Jesse E. Prescott (30), Orson Cook (30), Michael Smith (30), William R. Maddock (33), Edward Davies (34); 1874, Hans Stall (2), Hans Hanson (2), Erick Christianson (2), Edward Blakey (27-28); . . .

Land Records

Abstract of Title to SW 1/4 of SW 1/4, Section 27, Township 102, Jackson County. Original Grantee Edward BLAKEY (15 Apr 1874). Image courtesy of Verla Williams. Scan and composite by Mark D. Williams.


Continuation of above. Image courtesy of Verla Williams. Scan and composite by Mark D. Williams.


Abstract of Title to NW 1/4 of SW 1/4, Section 27, Township 102, Jackson County. Original Grantee Edward BLAKEY (15 Apr 1874). Image courtesy of Verla Williams. Scan and composite by Mark D. Williams.


Abstract of Title to NE 1/4 of SE 1/4, Section 28, Township 102, Jackson County. Original Grantee Edward BLAKEY (15 Apr 1874). Image courtesy of Verla Williams. Scan and composite by Mark D. Williams.

1875 MN State Census: Edward and Henry BLAKEY's Families

Detail from 1875 MN State Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Edward Blakey 70 M
Martha Blakey 37 F
Martha E. Blakey 2 F
Ernest E. Blakey 0 M

Henry Blakey 46 M
Jemima Blakey 46 F
James Blakey 18 M
George E. Blakey 11 M
Wm H. Blakey 5 M

Source Information: Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.

Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm.

Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA.

1880 US Federal Census: Edward and Henry BLAKEY's Families

Detail from 1880 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, Edward 75 M
Blakey, Martha 42 F
Blakey, Martha E. 7 F
Blakey, Ernest E. 5 M
Blakey, Alma J. 3 F
Blakey, Albert H. 1 M

Blakey, Henry 52 M
Blakey, Jemima 52 F
Blakey, George E. 17 M
Blakey, Wm. H. 9 M

Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Des Moines, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T9_624; Family History Film: 1254624; Page: 511.3000; Enumeration District: 122; Image: 0265.

Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880. T9, 1,454 rolls.

Martha Haggard and Edward BLAKEY’s family

In the Introduction, Verla Williams writes that:

By 1880, James had married and was listed with his wife; Henry and Jemima were listed with George and Will, their third son. Edward had remarried a Martha Haggard (a relative of James wife?) and had four children. I have found no trace of them anywhere.

I am continually amazed by how much my mother was able to discover about the family history without the use of the internet that we now seem to take so much for granted. Ancestry.com, for example, has millions of records that can be accessed easily. I decided I would try to see if I could discover what had happened to Martha BLAKEY and her children.

As we've already seen, the 1875 MN State Census shows Edward and Martha Blakey (ages 70 and 37) with two children, Martha E. (age 2), and Ernest E. (age 0) living in Delafield Township, Jackson County. Martha’s birthplace is given as Wisconsin. Her father was born in Kentucky and her mother Penn., or possibly Tenn. It is not quite clear.

The 1880 US Federal Census Verla mentions above lists Edward (now 75) and Martha Blakey (42). Their four children are Martha E. (7), Ernest E. (5), Alma J. (3), and Albert H. (1). The family is living in Des Moines Township, Jackson County. Martha’s birthplace is listed as Wisconsin. Her father’s is Kentucky. Her mother’s is clearly Tennessee.

According to his son Henry's Affidavit, Edward left his family in 1882 to return to England. So he would not appear in England’s 1881 Census. Since he also supposedly died in 1889 he would not appear in their 1891 Census either. So until a death record can be found Edward’s final whereabouts need additional confirmation.

A search on Martha BLAKEY turns up interesting results in the 1885 MN State Census. Instead of Martha BLAKEY, there is Martha Blake (44) born in Iowa. She is living in Cherry Grove Township, Goodhue County with Emily (12), Edward (9), and Alma (7) all born in Minnesota. She and her family are also listed next to a R. (62) and Jane Woodward (42, born in IA), but more about that later.


Detail of 1885 MN State Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Information: Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.
Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm.
Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA.

Is this the right Martha? There are some obvious problems besides the surname. In five years she only aged two. The birthplace is Iowa instead of Wisconsin. From 1836-1838 Iowa was part of the Wisconsin Territory ["Iowa Territory," Wikipedia.com.] which may be why there are some discrepancies among the Censuses for Martha's birthplace.

The children’s ages track, but all of their names aren’t right unless Martha E. and Ernest E. are using their middle names. Alma is the right name and age. If this is the right family, however, then it also appears that Albert H. may have died during the last five years. If Martha E.’s middle name is Emily, it wouldn’t be unrealistic to assume that she went by her middle name to avoid confusion with her mother. I have no idea why Ernest E. would be listed as Edward.

There only exist fragments of the 1890 US Federal Census due to a fire in the Commerce Building in 1921. The only part surviving from Minnesota is Rockford in Wright County. No records from Iowa or Wisconsin survived. [“US Federal 1890 Census Records,” FamilyHistory.com.]

In the 1895 MN State Census, there is a Martha Blakey (50, and surname spelled correctly) living in Cherry Grove, Goodhue County with a Jane Woodward (52). Both list their birthplace as Iowa. Martha’s age is still not quite right, she should be about fifty-seven. Right above them are A. J. Hunt (22) and his wife “Amily” (21). They have no children.


Detail of 1895 MN State Census. Image courtesy Ancestry.com. Source Information: Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.
Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm.
Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA.

Did Martha move in with her neighbor Jane from 1885, or perhaps even a relative named Jane? Jane’s husband most likely passed away in the intervening decade and it's possible that daughter Emily married A. J. and is living in what was her mother’s home. Ernest and Alma are both old enough to have left home.

In fact, in 1895 Ernest E. [Edward] BLAKEY reappears in the US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914.


Detail of US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Ernest enlisted on 5 Jan 1895 in Minneapolis for a period of 3 years. It gives his birthplace as Jackson, MN, and his age as 21 and 1 month which would put his birthday at about late Nov or early Dec 1873. For occupation he lists “farmer.” The record even describes him as having blue eyes, light brown hair, fair complexion, and being 5’10” in height. The remainder is difficult to read. He seems to have been assigned to the 8th Cavalry, Company B, Hospital Corps in Fort Mead, SD. The last part appears to read, “Des. July 12/95. Surr’d Oct 4/95. DEA[?] June 12/97.” As of this writing there are no additional records for Ernest E. BLAKEY after 1895.

The 1900 US Federal Census provides a little more confirmation. It has Jane Woodward (58) as the head of a household in Cherry Grove, Goodhue. Her occupation is given as farmer. Living with her is her aunt Nancy Smith (83) and her sister, Martha Blakey (62). All three ladies are widows. Martha’s age is finally right. I guess we can forgive her for previously exaggerating about it.


Detail of 1900 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Cherry Grove, Goodhue, Minnesota; Roll T623_764; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 40. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

Listed two households below Jane Woodward is the Court and Phoebe Hunt family. Court is also listed as a farmer. According to the 1880 US Federal Census, they are the parents of the A. J. Hunt who later married “Amily.” Below them are Earnest (23) and Mary J. Hunt (21) Earnest is listed as a farmer and is another son of Court and Phoebe. Interestingly on the next page right at the top are Addison Hunt (27) and his wife Emily (26). Addison’s occupation is printer. They have no children.


Detail of 1900 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Cherry Grove, Goodhue, Minnesota; Roll T623_764; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 40. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

According to the 1910 US Federal Census Martha Blakey (73) is living in Minneapolis Ward 12, Hennepin County with her son-in-law and daughter, Addison (37) and Emily (37) Hunt. They have no children. Addison now either owns a printing company or works for one. This Census provides the confirmation that Emily Hunt was Martha BLAKEY's daughter.


Detail of 1910 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry. com. Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Minneapolis Ward 12, Hennepin, Minnesota; Roll T624_705; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 196; Image: 886. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910. T624, 1,178 rolls.

Another family tree at Ancestry.com gives 1919 as the year of Martha Haggard BLAKEY's death. I am still trying to verify that. I haven't been able to find her in the 1920 US Federal Census.

There are, however, further records for Emily and Addison Hunt. Addison Julien Hunt registered for the World War I Draft on 17 Sep 1918.


Addison Julien Hunt. World War I Draft Registration Card. Images courtesy of Ancestry.com.

The card gives his address as 3608 22 Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn., his birthdate as 5 Apr 1873, his occupation as Supt. of Printing, his place of employment as Murphy-Travis Lith. Co., and his nearest relative, his wife Emily M. Hunt. On the reverse side his physical appearance is described as medium height, medium build, brown eyes, and dark brown hair bald.

Two years later the 1920 US Federal Census has Addison J. (47) and Emily M. Hunt (47) living in El Centro, Imperial Co., CA, with Addison's brother Eral G. (42) who is a carpenter. Addison is working as a printer for a newspaper. It appears the couple has not ever been able to have children.


Detail of 1920 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: El Centro, Imperial, California; Roll T625_99; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 15; Image: 939. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Note: Enumeration Districts 819-839 on roll 323 (Chicago City) Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920; (National Archives Microfilm Publication T625, 2076 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

In 1924 they appear in the record of the California Voter Registration Index for the City of Los Angeles living at 5044 Baltimore St. and registered as Republicans.


Detail of California Voter Registrations, 1900-1968 (1924). Roll 15. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

In the California Voter Registration Index for 1930, Addison is listed alone living in Lynwood City at 11214 Modjeska Av. He is still a printer, but he's now registered as a Democrat. I suspect Emily may have passed away, but I have been unable to find any further documentation yet for either Addison or Emily.

Ernest Edward James BLAKEY

Previously I noted that I had been unable to find any records for Ernest E. BLAKEY after his Army Enlistment in 1895. Not long ago I came across Ed Schneider's family tree and in it he had his grandfather, Edward James BLAKEY, as a son of Edward and Martha Haggard BLAKEY. I had never run across any records of an Edward James as a son of Edward and Martha, but I had found in the 1885 MN State Census an Edward "Blake" living in Cherry Grove Township, Goodhue County with his mother, Martha "Blake," and sisters Emily and Alma.

Detail of 1885 MN State Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Information: Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164. Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm. Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA. 

Censustakers were not always known for their careful spelling, so I suspected that it was the same family (but with Martha E. and Ernest E. using their middle names) especially since they were listed adjacent to R. and Jane Woodward. I later had found out the latter was Martha's sister. I contacted Ed Schneider with my questions, and on Nov. 2 he replied in an email:

I have very spotty records to go on and most of my family are long gone. I may have assumed his name was Edward James because I remember (He died when I was 9 years old) some people calling him "EJ." However I also remember him being referred to as "Ernest." [Emphasis added.]

I sent Ed a copy of Ernest's 1895 enlistment record [See below.] and also did a search for Edward James BLAKEY. It turned up several later Army enlistment records, census records, and death records, but curiously nothing before 1905. Ed responded with the following:

. . . I know my grandfather (that I knew as EJ Blakey) was in the army. He was what was referred to as a warrant officer. I know he fought in the Phillipines during the Spanish American War. Sounds like he was reinstated if in fact he deserted. As I know he retired with honors and was buried in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio Texas. He was in the US Army when he met my grandmother Mary Friel, because I remember the stories about how she squandered the first pay packet he got after they were married. She had never seen so much money! She was born in Ireland and immigrated to the US. I found a number of possible landing records for her but there were at least five women with the same name and the same age who landed at Ellis about the same time. Anyway, back to EJ. It had always been rumored in hushed tones something about him changing his name. [Emphasis added.] That could have been done to obscure the record. Interesting that it appears he took his father's name. As a serious Army family the desertion thing would have been a blight. He had three sons who served honorably in WWII one of whom died but not as a result of the war. . . .

Edward James BLAKEY enlisted in the US Army on 6 Jan 1905, 6 Jan 1908, and 6 Jan 1911. A comparison of his enlistment records with that of Ernest E. BLAKEY from 6 Jan 1895 may prove fruitful.

Detail of US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Name: Blakey, Ernest E. Enlisted When: 5 Jan 1895 Enlisted Where: Minneapolis, Minn. Enlisted By Whom: Capt. Pierce Enlisted Period: 3 years Where Born: Jackson, Minn. Age: 21 1/12 Occupation: Farmer Eyes: Blue Hair: Lt. Brown Complexion: Fair Height: 5' 10"

Detail of US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Name: Blakey, Edward J. Enlisted When: 6 Jan 1905 Enlisted Where: Minneapolis, Minn. Enlisted By Whom: Maj. Taylor Enlisted Period: 3 years Where Born: Jackson, Minn. Age: 30 1/12 Occupation: Printer Eyes: Blue Hair: Lt. Brown Complexion: Fair Height: 5' 9 1/2"

Detail of US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Name: Blakey, Edward J. Enlisted When: 6 Jan 1908 Enlisted Where: Ft. Adams, RI Enlisted By Whom: Cap. Cooke Enlisted Period: 3 years Where Born: Jackson Co., Minn. Age: 33 1/12 Occupation: Soldier Eyes: Blue Hair: Dark Brown Complexion: Fair Height: 5' 9 1/2"

Detail of US Army Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Name: Blakey, Edward J. Enlisted When: 6 Jan 1911 Enlisted Where: Ft. Adams, RI Enlisted By Whom: Cap. L [illegible] Enlisted Period: 3 years Where Born: Jackson Co., Minn. Age: 36 1/12 Occupation: Painter [Printer?] Eyes: Blue Hair: Dark Brown Complexion: Fair Height: 5' 9 1/2"

Source Information: Ancestry.com. U.S. Army, Register of Enlistments, 1798-1914 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

In all of the records, the birthplace is Jackson or Jackson Co., Minn. Ernest and Edward's ages are off by a year, but the month is correct. The occupations are interesting but probably not relevant. Eyes and complexion are all the same. In the latter two records the hair has gone from light brown to dark brown. The height for Ernest is only 1/2 inch different than EJ--all in all a fairly strong correlation. According to Ed Schneider's tree, Edward James married Mary Friel on 12 Nov 1908. Edward (33) and Mary (23) are listed in the 1910 US Federal Census living at Newport Ward 5, Newport, Rhode Island, with a daughter, Esther (1 month).

Detail of 1910 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Newport Ward 5, Newport, Rhode Island; Roll T624_1437; Page: 6B; Enumeration District: 51; Image: 460. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910. T624, 1,178 rolls. 

His father's birthplace is listed as England and his mother's as Kentucky. Edward BLAKEY was indeed from England, but Martha HAGGARD was born in Iowa which was part of the Wisconsin Territory at the time. Her father was from Kentucky. Also his age is off by a few years, EJ should be 35. In the 1920 US Federal Census, Edward J. (45) and Mary (33) are living at Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island with their children: Esther M. (9), Emily J. (8), Edward G. (7), George E. (5), and Mary A. Blakey (4 months). 

Detail of 1920 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island; Roll T625_1670; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 62; Image: 1169. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Note: Enumeration Districts 819-839 on roll 323 (Chicago City) Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920; (National Archives Microfilm Publication T625, 2076 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

By 1930 the BLAKEY family had moved to San Antonio in Bexar Co., Texas. They are listed in the 1930 US Federal Census as follows: Edward J. (55), Mary F. (43), Esth M. (20), Emily J. (19), Edward J. Jr. (17), George A. (16), John E. (8), Eleanore J. (5).

Detail of 1930 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com. Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: San Antonio, Bexar, Texas; Roll 2296; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 103; Image: 322.0. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

Other than some discrepancies between the middle initials, everything seems to track nicely. It appears, however, that daughter Mary A. may have passed away in the interim and they have added two more children to their household. EJ's death on 10 Jun 1959 in Bexar County is recorded in the Texas Death Index, 1903-2000, Certificate 30599 at Ancestry.com. More interesting is the record from the U. S. Veterans Gravesites, ca. 1775-2006. It lists the following:

Name: Edward James Blakey Service Info.: 2 LT US ARMY WORLD WAR I Birth Date: 30 Nov 1874 Death Date: 10 Jun 1959 Interment Date: 12 Jun 1959 Cemetery: Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery Cemetery Address: 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road San Antonio, TX 78209 Buried At: Section Ah Site 551

A birthdate of 30 Nov 1874 would be consistent with the data we have for Ernest E. BLAKEY as well. Recently Linda Doepel posted a photo and some obituaries for Edward James on her family tree and has graciously allowed me to reproduce them here. 

 

Detail from Franklin F. Holbrook, Minnesota in the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection (St. Paul, MN: Minnesota War Records Commission, 1923), p. 239. Image courtesy of Linda Doepel.

Notable in the listing of the roster from the Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry is that it not only gives his birth in Jackson, but also his residence in Goodhue Co., which agrees with the 1885 MN State Census that has the first recorded instance of Ernest E.'s use of the name Edward.

"Warrant Officer Makes Home Here" (1936). Image courtesy of Linda Doepel.

This article gives his first enlistment as occurring in 1898. While we don't have a record for that at this time, it is interesting to note that the 1895 enlistment as Ernest E. BLAKEY is not mentioned perhaps for reasons Ed Schneider mentions above. It also fills in some additional details of EJ's life.

"San Antonio Is Tops" (1941). Image courtesy of Linda Doepel. 

 It was fun to actually see a photo of EJ. He is obviously proud of his son George pictured in his WWII flying gear.

Certificate of Death. Edward James BLAKEY. State of Texas (10 Jun 1959). Image courtesy of Linda Doepel.

This document provides confirmation for birth, death, and burial dates and places. Unfortunate though is that the father's name and mother's name were left blank.

 

Obituary. Lt. Edward J. BLAKEY (10 Jun 1959). Image courtesy of Linda Doepel.

EJ's obituary lists his survivors as: wife, Mrs. Mary Blakey, [illegible]; sons, Col. George Blakey, USAF, Africa, and John E. Blakey, Alaska; daughters, Miss Esther Blakey, Mrs. Eleanor Halfmann and Mrs. Emily Schneider, all of San Antonio; [and] 10 grandchildren. The last bit of circumstantial evidence involves the names of EJ's children. Many of them have connections to his family:

• Esther Marie 
• Emily (EJ's older sister) Josephine
• Edward (EJ's father and his own original middle name) James (EJ's half-nephew) Jr. 
• George (EJ's half-nephew) Addison (EJ's older sister's husband)
• Mary Anne
• John (EJ's maternal grandfather's name) Ernest (EJ's original first name)
• Eleanor Jane (EJ's maternal aunt)

UPDATE (23 Sep 2021): A while ago on Facebook I met a granddaughter of EJ Blakey by the name of Mary Yatti. She is a cousin of Ed Schneider (mentioned above) and a daughter of Eleanor (Blakey) Halfmann. Mary shared some pictures she had of EJ as a younger man and graciously allowed me permission to post them here. Sadly according to Mary, EJ's daughter Mary Anne died of typhoid fever at about the age of 10.  

Ernest Edward James "EJ" BLAKEY (date unknown). Image courtesy of Mary Yatti.

EJ BLAKEY with his daughter Mary Anne (c. 1920). Image courtesy of Mary Yatti.

1885 MN State Census: Henry BLAKEY's Family

Detail of 1885 MN State Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Henry Blakey 54 M
Jemima Blakey 53 F
George Blakey 22 M
Willie H. Blakey 14 M

Source Information: Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.

Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm.

Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA.

Death of Edward BLAKEY (14 Nov 1886)

After returning to England around 1882, Edward BLAKEY was living at 20 Weston Street in Manningham, Bradford, Yorkshire. This was in the vicinity of where his daughter, Eliza, and her husband William Hanson were living. Both the 1891 and 1901 Censuses show the Hanson family at 41 Weston Street.

On 14 Nov 1886 Edward passed away from old age. He actually was 82 years old since he was born in 1804. His death was witnessed by his granddaughter, Harriet (Hanson) Littleson who was the informant on his death certificate. At this time we do not know where he was buried.


Death Certificate. Edward BLAKEY (14 Nov 1886). Image courtesy of Williams Family Pages.

Des Moines Township, Jackson County (1887)

Des Moines Township, Jackson County. MGS Index to 1887 Jackson County Plat Book (1887), p. 32. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

The BLAKEY farm in 1887 was in Jemima Blakey's name and was in Section 28 of Des Moines Township, Jackson County, MN. It is highlighted in yellow above. The pink area appears to still be in Edward BLAKEY's name though he had left five years previously.

1895 MN State Census: Henry and Jemima BLAKEY

Detail of 1895 MN State Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, Henry 64 M
Blakey, Jemima 65 F

Source Information: Ancestry.com. Minnesota Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota State Population Census Schedules, 1865-1905. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 1977. Microfilm. Reels 1-47 and 107-164.

Minnesota. Minnesota Territorial Census Schedules, 1849-1855. St. Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Historical Society, 2000. Microfilm.

Minnesota. Minnesota 1857 Territorial Census. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN, USA.

1900 US Federal Census: Henry and Jemima BLAKEY

Detail of 1900 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, Henry 71 M
Blakey, Jemima 72 F

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Jackson, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T623_771; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 111.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

Affidavit of Henry and "Sarah" BLAKEY (22 Oct 1904)

Affidavit of Henry and "Sarah" BLAKEY (Jackson Co., MN: 22 Oct 1904). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

State of Minnesota
SS.
County of Jackson

Before me, A. W. Quinn, a notary public in and for the County of Jackson, State of Minnesota, personally appeared Henry Blakey and Sarah Blakey, both of Jackson County, Minnesota, who, being by me duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that they and each of them are personally acquainted, and have been for the past thirty years, with Martha Blakey; that they and each of them were during his life time personally acquainted with Edward Blakey and that the said Edward Blakey and Martha Blakey were husband and wife and that they were married in 1874 and lived together as husband and wife for seven years thereafter, and that they then parted and have never lived together since; that the said Edward blakey [sic] went to England in 1882 and lived there until 1889 when he died and that the said Martha Blakey is still living.

Partners A. W. Quinn Henry Blakey
H. H. Berge Sarah her x mark Blakey

Subscribed and sworn to before me this the 22nd day October, 1904.

A. W. Quinn
Notary public
Jackson County, Minnesota

Death of Henry BLAKEY (18 Dec 1904)

Obituary. Henry BLAKEY (18 Dec 1904). Jackson Republic, Jackson, MN.

Death of Henry Blakey

Henry Blakey, one of the early pioneers of Jackson county, died at his home in this city last Sunday morning at four o'clock, after an illness of several weeks. The funeral was held from the residence on Monday, Rev. Wilkinson, pastor of the M. E. church, conducting the services.

Henry Blakey was born at Bradford, England, April 15, 1829, and at the time of his death was 75 years, 8 months and 4 days old. He came to this country in 1856, settling in Wisconsin where he remained for a year, when he moved to Jackson county where he has resided ever since.

He leaves a wife and three sons, James the eldest, of Hayward, Wisconsin, and George and William of this city.

Mr. Blakey was a quiet, unassuming gentleman, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. On the 24th of September, three months ago, Mr. and Mrs. Blakey were tendered a public reception at the Presbyterian church parlors, the occasion being their golden wedding, the fiftieth anniversary of their married life.

Mr. Blakey was a continuous subscriber of the JACKSON REPUBLIC from its first issue, over thirty-five years ago to the day of his death. Upon looking up his account on the subscription books it was discovered that his subscription was paid to Dec. 18th, 1904, the very day upon which he died.

Henry BLAKEY Pall

Pall. Henry BLAKEY (Jackson, MN: Anderson, c. 1904). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Death of Jemima Thorpe BLAKEY (27 Jul 1905)

Obituary. Jemima Thorpe BLAKEY (27 Jul 1905).

Death of Mrs. Blakey

The sudden death of Mrs. Henry Blakey occurred after only a few hours sickness at her home in the west part of the city on last Thursday morning. Mrs. Blakey has not been in the best of health since the death of her husband last fall, but that her end would come as soon was not entertained by any of her friends or family.

Jemimia Thorpe was born in Bradford, England, May 9, 1829 and came to America forty-seven years ago with her husband to Wisconsin where they remained about ten years when they came to Jackson county where they have since made their home. They homesteaded a fine quarter section west of Jackson where they lived until they came to this city to reside in 1894.

Mrs. Blakey was a woman who had won many friends by her kind manner and was always ready to assist a friend or neighbor when help or sympathy was needed. She was the mother of three sons, James, of Hayward, Wis., George and William here at home, Emily, the only daughter having died during their residence in Wisconsin.

The funeral was held from the home on Saturday, the Rev. Wilkinson preaching the farewell sermon. The body was laid to rest in Riverside cemetery beside those of her husband amid a large offering of floral tributes.

Jemima (Thorp) BLAKEY Pall

Pall. Jemima (Thorp) BLAKEY (Jackson, MN: Anderson, c. 1905). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

BLAKEY Gravestones

BLAKEY Gravestones, Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, MN (Date unknown). Photo by Verla Williams.

BLAKEY Gravestones. Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, MN (24 May 2008). Photo by Verla Williams. Notice the larger stone has had some inscriptions added.

Closeup of large BLAKEY Gravestone. Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, MN (24 May 2009). Photo by Verla Williams. Henry 1829-1904, Jemimia (Thorp) 1829-1905, James E. 1856-1928, Roseanna (Haggard) 1861-1894.

Birth Certificate: James Edward BLAKEY (20 Sep 1856)

Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth. James Edward BLAKEY (20 Sep 1856).

CERTIFIED COPY OF AN ENTRY OF BIRTH GIVEN AT THE GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE, LONDON
Application Number 5426

REGISTRATION DISTRICT Halifax
1856. BIRTH in the Sub-district of Rastrick in the County of York

No. 11
When and where born: Twentieth September 1856, Little Woodhouse, Rastrick
Name, if any: James Edward
Sex: Boy
Name and surname of father: Henry Blakey
Name, surname and maiden surname of mother: Jemima Blakey formerly Thorp
Occupation of father: Silk dresser
Signature, description and residence of informant: Henry Blakey, Father, Little Woodhouse, Rastrick
When registered: Eighteenth October 1856
Signature of registrar: Jack Shaw, Registrar

CERTIFIED to be a true copy of an entry in the certified copy of a Register of Births in the District above mentioned. Given at the GENERAL REGISTER OFFICE, LONDON, under the Seal of the said Office, the 1 day of July, 1985.

BXB 075731 This certificate is issued in pursuance of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953. Section 34 provides that any certified copy of an entry purporting to be sealed or stamped with the seal of the General Register Office shall be received as evidence of the birth or death to which it relates without any further or other proof of the entry, and no certified copy purporting to have been given in the said Office shall be of any force or effect unless it is sealed or stamped as aforesaid.

Caution: It is an offence to falsify a certificate or to make or knowingly use a false certificate or a copy of a false certificate intending it to be accepted as genuine to the prejudice of any person, or to possess a certificate knowing it to be false without lawful authority.

Form A502M Dd 8349770 100M 8/84 Mcr(304799)

Marriage Certificate: James BLAKEY and Rosanna HAGGARD (24 Mar 1878)

Marriage Certificate. James BLAKEY and Rosanna HAGGARD (24 Mar 1878).

This Certifies

That on the Twenty-Fourth day of
March

IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD

1878

James Blakey

and Rosanna Haggard

were by me united in

Marriage

at Indian Lake, Nobles Co., Minnesota

according to the Laws of the State of

[blank]

[signed] [illegible] Peterson

[illegible] of the gospel

Family Group Sheet for James Edward BLAKEY (1856-1928)

Husband: James Edward BLAKEY

Born: 20 Sep 1856
Place: Rastrick, Yorkshire, England
Married: 24 Mar 1878
Place: Indian Lake, Nobles Co., MN
Died: 28 Mar 1928
Place: Duluth, MN
Husband's Father: Henry BLAKEY
Husband's Mother: Jemima THORP

Wife: Rosanna HAGGARD

Born: 26 Jul 1861
Place: Clayton, Clayton Co., IA
Died: 9 Nov 1893
Place: Worthington, Nobles Co., MN
Wife's Father: John HAGGARD
Wife’s Mother: Irena SHAW

---

Children

1. Newton BLAKEY

Born: 6 Jan 1881
Place: Worthington, Nobles Co., MN
Spouse: Jeanette SLAYTON
Married: Unknown
Died: 1949

2. Mary BLAKEY

Born: Abt 1883
Place: Prob. Worthington, Nobles Co.,
Died: Bef 1892

3. Jessie Mabel BLAKEY

Born: 25 Aug 1884
Place: Worthington, Nobles Co., MN
Spouse: Wilson Carey HULBERT
Married: 1901
Died: 2 Apr 1980

4. Walter BLAKEY

Born: 12 Apr 1887
Place: Worthington, Nobles Co., MN
Spouse: Anna HAGARMAN
Married: Unknown
Died: 25 Oct 1957

5. Henry BLAKEY II

Born: Apr 1889
Place: Unknown
Spouse: Elsie SIEBERT
Married: Unknown
Died: 5 Jun 1962

6. Robert BLAKEY

Born: Nov 1890
Place: Worthington, Nobles Co., MN
Spouse: Lillian MEYERS
Married: Apr 1920
Died: Unknown

7. Edward BLAKEY II

Born: Nov 1892
Place: Unknown
Spouse: Margaret?
Married: Unknown
Died: Unknown

1880 US Federal Census: James and Roseanna BLAKEY

Detail from 1880 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, James 25 M
Blakey, Rosanna 19 F

Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Des Moines, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T9_624; Family History Film: 1254624; Page: 511.4000; Enumeration District: 122; Image: 0266.

Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1880. T9, 1,454 rolls.