Posted on: BLAKESLEY Biographies Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/surnames/b/l/BLAKESLEY/biographies/10007 Surname: Blakesley, Keim, Westcott ------------------------- Will John Blakesley, son of Willard and Jessie (Westcott) Blakesley was born on April 9, 1893 in Douglas County, Minnesota, near Alexandria. Will spent his early years helping out at Blakesley's Resort that his parents owned and operated on Lake Andrew. It was his job to operate the livery business. Will met his future wife, Lovena Keim, in Alexandria, where he worked at various housekeeping jobs. The Keim family had moved to Crow Wing County, Minnesota to farm. In March of 1917, Will traveled by train to Aikin to take Miss Keim for his bride. They were married at the United Methodist Church parsonage in Aitkin on March 29, 1917, returning the same day by train to Alexandria. In the fall of 1917, Will and his wife, Lovena traveled to Calgary, Canada to work on the grain harvesting crew. Will worked at peeling potatoes and running water to the steam engine that pulled the thrasher. Lovena was the camp cook. After harvesting was finished the Blakesley's returned to Alexandria to rent a farm from Dave Randson. Their first two sons, leo and Lloyd were born on this farm in 1918 and 1919. Will's father helped him to purchase a farm beyond and west of the Blakesley's Resort. Will and Lovena's next two sons, Lester and John were born on this farm in 1920 and 1921. However due to drought and depression their farm was foreclosed on them during the 1920's. Lovena's brother, Frank Keim, who lived in Dean Lake Township of Crow Wing County, had knowkedge that the Louis A. Fuhere farm in Ross Lake Township was for sale. Will traveled to the new farm with their possessions by train. He then returned to Alexandria for his wife and two sons, Lester and John. The family traveled to the Ross Lake Township in the spring of 1925 by Model T Ford. The Blakesley's other two sons, Leo and Lloyd remained with their grandparents to finish the school term. They arrived during the summer with their Aunt Reo Blakesley. Will and Lovena's last two children Bobby and Jessie were born at the farm in Ross Lake Township. Hard times followed Will and Lovena to Ross lake, where Mr. Fuhere threatened to foreclose on them. Fortunately Will was able to obtain a loan through the Federal Land Bank to purchase the mortgage on the farm. Will farmed until 1941, then went to work at McGowans Garage in Aitkin, where he replaced his son, Leo who was drafted into the Army. Will and Lovena sold their farm in Ross Lake Township to their son, Lloyd in 1948 and moved into the town of Aitkin. Will and Lovena were both able to acquire jobs in Aitkin. He worked at McGowan Garage and later at the Standard Oil Station and she at the Aitkin Laundry Service. After retiring, Will and Lovena moved to a lake home on Stark Lake in Ross Lake Township and later moved to a trailor home near Blind Lake in Aitkin County. Lovena passed away on July 1, 1972 while they were vacationing at Grand Marais, Minnesota. Will passed away on September 1, 1976 in Aitkin, Minnesota after a lingering illiness.