1910 US Federal Census: George BLAKEY's Family

Detail of 1910 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, George 47 M
Blakey, Lottie 39 F
Blakey, Orville 13 M

Blakey, Verland 7 M

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Des Moines, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T624_696; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 96; Image: 1081.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. 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.

Orville Brunson and Verland Edward BLAKEY

Verland Edward and Orville Brunson BLAKEY (ca. 1903). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Verland Edward and Orville Brunson BLAKEY (c. 1907). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


Verland Edward and Orville Brunson Blakey (Jackson, MN: Kral Studio, Date unknown). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

World War I Draft Registration Card: Orville Brunson BLAKEY

World War I Draft Registration Card. Orville Brunson BLAKEY (5 Jun 1918). Source Citation: Registration Location: Jackson County, Minnesota; Roll 1675511; Draft Board: 0. Source Information: Ancestry.com. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.

1920 US Federal Census: George BLAKEY and Albert ROE's Families

Detail of 1920 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, George 55 M
Blakey, Lottie 48 F
Blakey, Orville 23 M
Blakey, Verland 17 M

Interestingly listed two families below the BLAKEYs are the ROEs. Seven years from now Agnes M. Roe will marry Verland BLAKEY.

Roe, Albert 43 M
Roe, Mina 39 F
Roe, Ella L. 17 F
Roe, Sherman A. 12 M
Roe, Agnes M. 10 F

Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Des Moines, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T625_841; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 97; Image: 75.

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.

Spirit Lake Beacon (5 Aug 1920)

"Neighborly News," Spirit Lake Beacon (5 Aug 1920). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Meyers and daughter, Miss Hazel, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Blakey, and sons Orville and Verland, and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pearson spent last Sunday near Lakefield at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost. Other relatives and friends to the number of over thirty enjoyed the day together.

Spirit Lake Beacon (4 Sep 1924)

"Neighborly News," Spirit Lake Beacon (4 Sep 1924). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey and sons Orville and Verland were visitors last Sunday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Meyers.

Mr. [sic] Mary Kephart and family from Lakefield, Minnesota were visitors last Saturday afternoon at the home of Mr. [sic] Kephart's sister, Mrs. George Blakey.

Master Leslie and Merlin Rost from Lakefield, Minnesota spent a very pleasant week last week at the home of their aunt, Mrs. George Blakey.

Mrs. R. C. Kephart and children, Della, Gladys and Seth, from Lakefield, Minnesota, were visitors on Tuesday of last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey.

The BLAKEY Farm

BLAKEY farmhouse (c. 1925). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.


BLAKEY farmhouse detail. From left: Lottie, Orville, Verland, and George.


"Hitch up the horses!" BLAKEY farm (c. 1925). From left: Verland, Orville, George, and Lottie.


BLAKEY farmhouse (c. 1935). From left: Verland, Lottie, Orville, and George. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Spirit Lake Beacon (6 Jun 1929)

"Neighborly News," Spirit Lake Beacon (6 Jun 1929). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

One of the most enjoyable social events of the season was held last Sunday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost at Lakefield. The occasion was the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the birthday of Mrs. Rost's mother, Mrs. Mary Kephart of Lakefield. The following relatives were present and enjoyed a very happy day together. Mrs. Mary Kephart and son William, Mrs. Rost, Sr., Mrs. Ernest Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey and son Orville, Mr. and Mrs. George Meyers, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Meyers, and daughters, Sarah, Helen and Josephine, Mr. and Mrs. James Rost, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Kephart and children, Gladys and Seth, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kephart and children, Alfred and Lorraine, Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Kephart, daughters Ruth and Fern, and son Maynard, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norgrant and daughter, and Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost and sons, Leslie, Merlin and Eldon. At noon a bountiful dinner was served which was truly a veritable feast. The centerpiece for the table was a beautiful birthday cake. This was a two story angelfood cake and it was ornamented by 80 red and white candles and it was a beautiful thing. The company were invited for the entire day and before leaving for home they were again seated at tables and served with the most delectable refreshments. Taken altogether the day was greatly enjoyed and will long be remembered by everyone present. The birthday cake tasted even better than it looked and that is saying a good deal. At evening the happy company broke up and dispersed to their homes after wishing Mrs. Kephart many more happy returns of the day.

Spirit Lake Beacon (13 Mar 1930)

"Neighborly News," Spirit Lake Beacon (13 Mar 1930). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Kephart and son Maynard drove down from their home at Revere, Minnesota, last Sunday morning and spent the day at the home of Mr. Kephart's sister, Mrs. George Blakey. They returned home on Sunday evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Verland Blakey are now driving a brand new Whippet car. It is a dandy.


A 1930 Whippet. Image courtesy of Flickr.

Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey entertained about thirty of their relatives at dinner last Sunday. The occasion was the celebration of the birthday anniversary of Mrs. Blakey. A sumptuous dinner was enjoyed, and the afternoon was spent in a special way and passed all too quickly. Mrs. Blakey received several beautiful and useful gifts. Those who enjoyed the afternoon together were: Mrs. Mary Kephart and son William, Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost and three sons, Leslie, Merlin and Eldon, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Kephart and son Seth, and daughter Miss Gladys, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kephart, son Alfred and daughter Miss Lorraine, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norgrant and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Verland Blakey and son, Mr. and Mrs. L. N. Kephart and son Maynard, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Pearson and Miss Lila Zimmerle, Mr. and Mrs. George Meyers and Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey and son Orville.

1930 US Federal Census: George E. BLAKEY's Family

Detail of 1930 US Federal Census. Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Blakey, George E. 66 M
Blakey, Lottie 59 M
Blakey, Orville 33 M

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Des Moines, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll 1103; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 6; Image: 62.0.

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.

Spirit Lake Beacon (17 Jul 1930)

"Neighborly News," Spirit Lake Beacon (17 Jul 1930). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Mrs. Mary Kephart and son William, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Kephart, daughter Gladys, and son Seth, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Kephart, son Alfred, and daughter, Lorraine, Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rost and sons, Leslie, Merlin and Eldon, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Norgrant and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey and son Orville, Mr. and Mrs. Verland Blakey and son Gordon, and Mrs. Ernest Pearson drove to Revere, Minnesota last Sunday morning and spent the day visiting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Kephart. Twenty-eight relatives were present and enjoyed this family reunion. The happy day will be long remembered by all who were present.

Spirit Lake Beacon (28 May 1931)

"Neighborly News," Spirit Lake Beacon (28 May 1931). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey and son, Orville, were visitors last Sunday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Meyers.

Orville Blakey purchased a brand new Chevrolet sedan last week. It is a beauty and up to the minute in style.


A 1931 Chevrolet sedan. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Spirit Lake Beacon (18 Oct 1934)

"Neighborly News," Spirit Lake Beacon: Arnolds Park News (18 Oct 1934). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

The following relatives were dinner guests on Monday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Meyers of Dubuque, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Meyers of Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. George Meyers, and Mrs. Mary Kephart, and son, William, of Lakefield.

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Meyers and family entertained at dinner last Friday for the following relatives: Mrs. Mary Kephart and son William of Lakefield, Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Meyers of Dubuque, Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey and son, Orville, and Mr. and Mrs. George Meyers and Mrs. R. R. Rost of Lakefield.

Spirit Lake Beacon (6 Jul 1939)

"Neighborly News Weekly Items," Spirit Lake Beacon (6 Jul 1939). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey and son, Orville, and Mr. and Mrs. Verland Blakey and children drove to Redwood Falls, Minn., and spent the day with Mrs. Blakey's brother and family, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Kephart. They report that a destructive hail storm visited that section recently and destroyed about 50 per cent of all crops.

George and Lottie (Kephart) BLAKEY: Later years

George and Lottie (Kephart) BLAKEY. Later years.

Spirit Lake Beacon (19 Jun 1940)

"Neighborly News Weekly Items," Spirit Lake Beacon (19 Jun 1940). Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.

Mr. and Mrs. George Meyers and Milford Trullinger and daughter, Vera, and sister, Mabel Trullinger, were callers Sunday afternoon at the George Blakey home.

Mr. and Mrs. Verland Blakey and family spent Friday evening at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Blakey.

Orville Blakey, Oscar Tiegan, and Albert Roe returned home Saturday after a delightful trip through the west. They visited the Black Hills, Yellowstone, and many interesting places.