----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas" <tkracke1@msn.com> Sent: Tuesday, March 06, 2001 11:57 AM ===================================================================== > Source: BLAKESLEY-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Will John Blakesley > > > 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.