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.

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.

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.

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.