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.

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.

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.

1895 MN State Census: BLAKEY Sons

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

Blakey, James 40 M
Blakey, George 33 M
Blakey, Willie 23 M
Blakey, Lottie 22 F
Blakey, Newton 13 M
Blakey, Mabel 10 F
Blakey, Walter 6 M
Blakey, Henry 5 M
Blakey, Robert 3 M
Blakey, Edward 2 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.

George Edward and Lottie (Kephart) BLAKEY

Wedding Photo of George Edward and Lottie (Kephart) BLAKEY (21 Nov 1894). A. C. Roberts, Jackson, Minn.

Marriage Certificate: George E. BLAKEY and Lottie KEPHART (21 Nov 1894)

Marriage Certificate. George E. BLAKEY and Lottie KEPHART (21 Nov 1894). Original document courtesy of Verla Williams. Scan, composite and partially digitally restored by Mark D. Williams.

What therefore GOD has joined TOGETHER
LET NOT MAN PUT ASUNDER

This Certifies
That Mr. George E. Blakey of Jackson Co., State of Minnesota AND
Miss Lottie Kephart of Jackson Co., State of Minnesota

WERE UNITED IN
HOLY MATRIMONY

By me according to the ordinance of GOD
and the LAWS of the STATE of Minnesota
at the home of the bride on the twenty first day
of November in the year of OUR LORD,
One Thousand Eight Hundred and ninety four

Witnesses [illegible] Bertha Kephart
H. C. Cheadle, Minister

Published by Crider & Bro., Publishers of the Celebrated Photograph Marriage Certificates, York, PA.

1900 US Federal Census: George BLAKEY's Family

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

Blakey, George 37 M

Blakey, Lottie 29 F
Blakey, Orville B. 3 M
Blakey, William H. 29 M
Norman, Claude 23 M

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Des Moines, Jackson, Minnesota; Roll T623_771; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 105.

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.

George E. BLAKEY Family

George Edward BLAKEY Family (Jackson, MN: Anderson, c. 1910). From left: George, Verland Edward, Orville Brunson, and Lottie (Kephart) BLAKEY. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

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.

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.

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.