Spirit Lake Beacon (7 Nov 1940)

"Neighborly News Weekly Items," Spirit Lake Beacon (7 Nov 1940). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey and son, Orville, were dinner guests Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. Verland Blakey.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dorschner spent Sunday evening with Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey.

Spirit Lake Beacon (13 Mar 1941)

"Interesting Neighborly News Report," Spirit Lake Beacon (13 Mar 1941). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

About thirty relatives of Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey assembled at the Blakey home Sunday to help Mrs. Blakey observe her birthday anniversary. The guests brought covered dishes. The following were present: Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost, William Kephart, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kephart, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kephart, of Lakefield [sic], Mrs. Jos. Meyers and daughters, Misses Agnes, Irene and Josephine from Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Verland Blakey and children, Gordon, Verla and Overland [sic], Mr. and Mrs. George Meyers, Mr. and Mrs. Milford Trullinger and Vera, Orville Blakey, and Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey.

Spirit Lake Beacon (23 Jul 1942)

"Interesting Neighborly News Report," Spirit Lake Beacon (23 Jul 1942). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Miss Verla Blakey is spending this week with her grandparents Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey.

Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norgrant of Lakefield, Minn. visited Monday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey.

Earl Kephart of Lakefield was a Thursday visitor at the home of George Blakey.

Orville Blakey is recovering from his recent injury but is still carrying his broken arm in a cast.

George and Lottie BLAKEY 50th Wedding Anniversary

"Married Fifty Years Tuesday," Jackson County Pilot (23 Nov 1944). Newspaper courtesy of Verla Williams. Composite image scanned and partially digitally restored by Mark D. Williams.


Detail of Jackson County Pilot (23 Nov 1944).

Married Fifty Years Tuesday
Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey

The comfortable farm home of Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey in Des Moines township, was the scene of a happy gathering of relatives and friends Sunday afternoon at which time Mr. and Mrs. Blakey were privileged to celebrate the anniversary of their golden wedding, surrounded by their relatives and neighbors.

Residents of Jackson county for the entire span of their lives, Mrs. Blakey, a daughter of a pioneer family, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred B. Kephart, and Mr. Blakey, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Blakey, were united in marriage at the Kephart farm home, November 21, 1894, with Rev. H. C. Cheadle of the Jackson Presbyterian church officiating. They immediately set up housekeeping on their present farm where ever since they have been prominent in the Des Moines community and where their two sons, Orville and Verland, were born.

The celebration Sunday, while a quiet one, was greatly enjoyed by all who had a part in the happy affair. Friends and neighbors came early to the Blakey home with well-filled baskets of dainty edibles and a delicious lunch was served. Among the guests that took advantage of the successful occasion were Mr. and Mrs. Blakey's two sons, together with Verland's family of Windom; Mr. and Mrs. Ross Kephart, Wm. Kephart, Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost of Lakefield; Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pearson of Middletown township and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dorschner of Des Moines township.

There are no better known and beloved residents of the Des Moines community than Mr. and Mrs. Blakey who during their long years of residence have won the love and respect of the large list of acquaintances, and the Pilot, along with their many other friends and neighbors wish for them many future years of a life filled with peace and plenty.

George E. Blakey, Pioneer of Jackson County, is Mourned

Obituary. George E. BLAKEY (8 Dec 1945).

George E. Blakey, Pioneer of Jackson County, is Mourned
Was One of the Earliest Residents of This Community and Gentleman Held in High Regard

Jackson friends and those of the Des Moines township community, are mourning the passing last Saturday of George E. Blakey, who passed away quietly at the Blakey residence on North Highway. Mr. Blakey had been a resident of Jackson county for 78 years.

Mr. Blakey, a gentleman of quiet but genial manner, was one of the earliest settlers in Jackson county where during his long years of residence he had proven himself an excellent citizen and kindly neighbor. A gentleman of robust honesty, his council was often sought by friends while his reputation as a husband and father will always remain a pleasing remembrance to his immediate family.

George Edward Blakey was born in Wisconsin, February 17, 1863, and passed peacefully away at 12:50 noon, December 8, 1945, at his home on North Highway in Jackson. Death was due to the infirmities of his advanced age.

Mr. Blakey's health began to fail about two years ago, but he became bedfast just the last two days before his death. He was 82 years, 9 months and 21 days old.

Mr. Blakey came to Jackson county with his parents, Henry and Jemimia Blakey, at the age of four years. He lived with his parents on the homestead in Des Moines township until 1894, when he bought the farm on which he resided until he moved with his family to their home in Jackson, August 30, 1945.

He was married to Lottie Kephart of Middletown township, November 21, 1894. To this union were born two sons, Orville, at home, and Verland of Windom. Surviving him are the deeply bereaved wife, the two sons and three grandchildren, Gordon, Verla and Averland Blakey; also one brother, Will, of California, and many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.

Mr. Blakey was a man who had won many friends by his kind manner and was always ready to assist a friend or neighbor when help or sympathy were needed.

Throughout this last fatal illness he was a patient sufferer and appreciated every act of kindness. He had the constant and loving care of his devoted wife and children.

Mr. Blakey was obliged to pass through the hardships that were necessary to build Jackson county, however, one of the happiest epochs in his long Jackson county residence came when Mr. and Mrs. Blakey were priveleged to celebrate their golden anniversary on a happy day, November 21, 1944.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. T. A. Thompson of Windom, at 1:30 at the home and 2:00 from Our Savior's Lutheran church of Jackson, on Tuesday afternoon, December 11.

Burial was held in Riverside cemetery. Pallbearers were Frank Green, Herman Eggimann, R. C. Muir, Albert Eggimann, Frank Dorschner and Mike Kanuch. Music was furnished by Mrs. Harry Graves and James S. Peterson; Mrs. Leonora Mix, organist.

Jackson Man Found Dead In Garage

"Jackson Man Found Dead In Garage," Fairmont Sentinel (7 Dec 1961).

Jackson Man Found Dead In Garage

JACKSON -- A 65 -year-old Jackson man was found dead in his garage Tuesday evening, nearly 12 hours after his family thought he had left for work.

County Coroner W. B. Wells ruled the death accidental by carbon monoxide asphyxiation.

The body of Orville Blakey was found lying on the garage floor at 7:15 p. m. by Melvin Lentz and a neighbor, Jack Backer.

Blakey, who was employed by the Willett Gravel company of Jackson, usually left home about 7:30 every morning for work.

The family said he was in the habit of warming up his car in the garage. It is believed he was going to open the garage door when he collapsed.

When he didn't come home for dinner, the gravel company was called and it was discovered Blakey had not been working. Melvin Lentz was called by his mother, Mrs. Hazel Lentz, who works at the Blakey home. Lentz and Backer then found Blakey in the garage.

Mr. Blakey was born Oct. 25, 1896 in Des Moines township of Jackson county and lived all of his life in this area.

He farmed in Des Moines until moving to Jackson 15 years ago.

Mr. Blakey, who never married, has been living with his mother, Mrs. George (Lottie) Blakey at 202 North Highway.

Surviving are his mother; a brother, Verland Blakey of Windom; three nieces and two nephews.

Funeral services are tentatively set 2 p. m. Saturday at the Sathe funeral home of Jackson.

Carbon Monoxide Gas Rule As Cause of Orville Blakey Death

"Carbon Monoxide Gas Ruled As Cause of Orville Blakey Death."

Carbon Monoxide Gas Ruled As Cause of Orville Blakey Death

The death of Orville Blakey, 65, whose body was found Wednesday evening in his garage, has been pronounced as being due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dr. W. B. Wells, county coroner, who investigated the incident, ruled the death accidental.

Blakey, who has been employed at the Willett Gravel Co. the past 13½ years and had been foreman of the block plant much of that time, was found in his garage Wednesday after the supper hour by Clarence Lentz and Jack Backer.

He had gone to his garage as usual Wednesday morning to get his car ready to drive to work. When he didn't return home for his noon meal, the gravel company was called and word received he had not reported for work.

After Blakey failed to return for supper, Mrs. Hazel Lentz who works at the Blakey home called her son Clarence to look in the garage. When Lentz peered through the garage window and saw two red lights aglow on the dashboard, he asked Backer if he would go into the building with him.

Blakey was found alongside the car and may have suffered a heart attack or stumbled on a pair of rubbers and knocked himself unconscious. The car apparently had been started and then the engine killed. The ignition was on, causing the dashboard lights that Lentz observed.

Blakey had recently decided to retire on social security from his work at the Willett plant but after a week or so of being idle found he would rather be occupied. He had made arrangements to check further into social security before returning to the job L. J. Willett of the gravel company said he could have back. Blakey's appointment with the social security representative was for the following day.

A complete obituary appears elsewhere in this issue.

Funeral Held Dec. 9 For Orville B. Blakey

Obituary. Orville Brunson Blakey (6 Dec 1961).

Funeral Held Dec. 9 For Orville B. Blakey

Orville B. Blakey, a native of Des Moines Twp. who passed his 65th birthday Oct. 25, was found dead at his home about 7 p. m. on Dec. 6.

Funeral services were conducted from Sathe Funeral Home on Dec. 9 with the Rev. Roy C. Thompson of First Methodist Church officiating. Music was provided by the Bergen octet. Interment followed in Riverside Cemetery.

Orville Brunson Blakey, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey, was born Oct. 25, 1896, in Des Moines Twp., where he attended the rural schools. After his father's death in 1945, he and his mother came to this city to make their home. For the past 17 years he had been employed by Willett Gravel Co.

Mr. Blakey is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Lottie Blakey, 91; one brother Verland of Windom; three nieces, and two nephews.

Out-of-town relatives who attended the services were Mrs. Vincent Williams, Mark and Dawn, of Decorah, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost and Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Kephart of Lakefield, and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norgrant of Spirit Lake.

Gravestone of Orville B. BLAKEY

Gravestone of Orville B. BLAKEY. Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, MN. Photo by Verla Williams (Jul 1993).

Mrs. George Blakey Dies at Windom

Obituary. Lottie (Kephart) BLAKEY (27 May 1964). Jackson Pilot, Jackson, MN (4 Jun 1964).

Mrs. George Blakey Dies at Windom;
Last Rites Here Friday

Mrs. George (Lottie) Blakey, 93, a resident of the Jackson area for over 75 years, died May 27 at Sogge Memorial Home in Windom from the complications accompanying advanced age. She had been in the home since 1962.

Funeral services were conducted Friday afternoon at Sathe Funeral Home with the Rev. Roy C. Thompson of First Methodist Church officiating. Interment took place beside her husband in Riverside Cemetery.

Lottie Kephart, daughter of Alfred and Mary Kephart, was born March 9, 1871, in Dubuque County, Ia. She attended rural schools in Dubuque County and also in Jackson County, where she accompanied her parents as a young girl.

On Nov. 21, 1894, her marriage to George Blakey was solemnized in Jackson. To this marriage, two sons, Verland and Orville, were born.

* * *
Mr. Blakey passed away Dec. 8 [1945] and a son Orville, who made his home with her, died Dec. 6, 1961. Failing health eventually took Mrs. Blakey to the Sogge Home in Windom, where she was near her son Verland and family.

Other survivors besides her son are Gordon Blakey of Bingham Lake, Mrs. Vincent (Verla) Williams of Decorah, Ia., Averland Blakey of Boise, Ida., Sharon and Pamela Blakey of Windom, grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Ernest Pierson of Jackson and Mrs. R. R. Rost of Lakefield; and two brothers, R. C. Kephart of Aitkin and Levi Kephart of Sanborn.

Coming from a distance for the services were Dr. and Mrs. Vincent Williams of Decorah, Ia., Mrs. Leslie Rost of Albert Lea, Mr. and Mrs. George Freeman and daughter of Walnut Grove, Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost of Lakefield, and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norgrant of Spirit Lake.

Gravestone of George and Lottie BLAKEY

Gravestone of George and Lottie BLAKEY. Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, MN. Photo by Verla Williams (Jul 1993).

Descendants of George Edward BLAKEY (1863-1945)

Descendants of George Edward BLAKEY (1863-1945).

William H. and Cora (Ridgeway) BLAKEY

William H. BLAKEY and Cora Ridgeway BLAKEY (Jackson, MN: G. A. Anderson, ca. 1901). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Death of Cora (Ridgeway) BLAKEY (22 Jan 1904)

Obituary. Cora Ridgeway BLAKEY (22 Jan 1904).

Death of Mrs. Blakey

Last Friday morning occured the death of Mrs. Wm. H. Blakey. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the Presbyterian church, Rev. Weaver conducting the services. Interment was had in Riverside cemetery.

Cora Avanell Ridgeway, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ridgeway, was born in Jackson county, Sept. 9, 1881, being at the time of her death, 22 years, 4 months and 13 days old. She has grown to womanhood here, and all who knew her esteemed her for her virtue and amiable nature. Her friends were all who knew her. On Christmas day, 1900, she was united in marriage with Will Blakey, and since then the young people have enjoyed a happy domestic life in the upstairs rooms of the senior Mr. Blakey's home.

A little babe was born to them two weeks ago, but the young mother failed, and when the little one was but a week old its mother passed away. It is a severe blow for the father, but in the little one he has a precious legacy from her who has gone.

The following verses, written by Mrs. [?] S. Barrett and lovingly dedicated to the memory of her who has gone, tell the regard of all who knew Mrs. Blakey for her sincere Christian character and their love for her:

God has called a loved one from us, called her to her heavenly home.
She is waiting there to welcome all her dear ones when they come.
Just to know here was to love her for her many ways so kind,
A more faithful wife and mother or friend you'll never find.

Yes, she's waiting at the gateway of that city bright and fair,
For her loved ones all to join her, that they, too, her joy may share.
And when o'er life's rugged pathway strong temptations to us come,
May her beckoning hands rebuke us and ever keep us from the wrong.

And may she intercede for us that our sins may be forgiven,
Be a messenger of love between our hears and heaven.
To know that she is happy gives our aching hearts relief,
But we morn that one so dear should have a life so brief.

Cora BLAKEY Gravestone

Detail of Cora BLAKEY Gravestone. Born Sep. 3,1881. Died Jan. 22, 1904. Riverside Cemetery, Jackson, MN. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

1905 MN State Census: William BLAKEY

Detail of 1905 MN State Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, William 34 M Carpenter

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.