A. S. Blakely (1855-1919)

BLAKELY, KENNEDY, EVANS, SEYFERT

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 2/19/2009 at 16:29:52

Jackson Sentinel
June 27, 1919

A. S. Blakely Dead

Although it was known by many of our people that A. S. Blakely, one of the prominent and highly respected residents of our city, was quite ill, it was not generally realized that his condition was serious until Thursday forenoon when the news came from the home that he had passed away. Mr. Blakely had not been feeling well since last Friday but felt able to attend church on Sunday morning, but that evening he was taken worse and continued to fail until the end came at 10:30 o’clock Thursday morning. Deceased was born in Fairfield township and spent his early manhood on the old home farm near Spragueville, moving to this city about fifteen years ago. He was for a time associated with Dr. A. M. Avery in the drug and grocery business, retiring a few years ago from active business life. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Helen Bentley of Ames and Miss Myrtle at home. Also one brother, William of Harlan, Ia., and two sisters, Mrs. R. Kennedy of Springville and Mrs. Geo. Evans of near Harlan. No arrangements for the funeral had been made at the time of our going to press.

Jackson Sentinel
July 1, 1919

Obituary
A. Scott Blakely

A. Scott Blakely, son of Mr. and Mrs. James K. Blakely, pioneer residents of Jackson county, Iowa, was born on the farm where his parents located in 1855, on Nov. 11, 1883. He grew to an exemplary young manhood on the farm, having only the meager advantages of an education that the schools afforded at the time.

On February 19, 1890, he was happily married to Miss Hannah Seyfert and this union was blessed with two daughters, Mrs. Helen Bentley of Ames and Miss Myrtle at home. In the spring of 1899 Mr. Blakely and family came to Maquoketa and located on Matteson avenue, where he purchased property and later built their fine modern home where they have since resided. He never lost interest in the old homestead which he still owned, and superintended the farming of it to the present time. He was too active, ambitious and industrious to live a retired life, so for a number of years he was engaged in business in partnership with Dr. Avery in drugs and groceries, and later he took charge of the grocery business alone. The store proved to be too confining for his health and he sold out and devoted his recent years to odd jobs of work to occupy his time and help out friends and neighbors in overly busy seasons.

Mr. Blakely was a skilled workman and whatever he did he did it well and acceptably to the one he worked for.

In 1909 he made a profession of religion and became an active and loyal member of the Reformed church and an efficient church officer since 1911.

Recently he became a member of the K. of P. fraternity of Maquoketa and enjoyed the fellowship very much.

He was taken ill on Saturday, June 21, with pains in neck and shoulder, and medical aid was called and he seemed improved. On Monday, June 23 his condition grew worse until the end came on Thursday, June 26; at 10:15 a.m., aged 55 years, 7 months and 15 days.

Mr. Blakely was one of God’s noblemen, a true man wherever you saw him, or came in contact with him; a painstaking, successful farmer, a business man who took care of details and held his customers; a churchman that was conscientious and true to his profession; a husband and father that only those who knew him best appreciated him most; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed and approved of God.

In the unexpected passing of Mr. Blakely the whole community received a shock and a loss that will be felt for a long time to come. Besides the sorrowing and bereft wife and daughters, one granddaughter, Vera Bernice, a brother, William Blakely of Harlan, Ia., and two sisters, Mrs. Geo, Evans of Shelby county, Iowa, and Mrs. Robt. Kennedy of Springville, Ia., and a large circle of friends and relatives survive to mourn his departure. He has entered into rest and gone to his eternal reward.

Funeral services were held from the home on Matteson avenue on Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., where a large company assembled to pay last earthly tribute to a good man and friend. Rev. D. F. Boomershine, his pastor, officiated, and burial was made in Mt. Hope, the K. P. Lodge having charge of the services at the grave.