“Isaac was a very versatile person. Although he had very little formal education, he was a wise man in many ways. He was a salesman extra-ordinary, raised dogs, and was a coon hunter, manufactured molasses from cane sugar he raised, was a butcher, and a church leader — lay preacher and singer.” Theodore Robert “Ted” Blakey.
In The Ice Harvest: Along The Missouri River
I believe that Isaac enjoyed the great outdoors. Oh, the wonder of what he experienced and encountered while he was out and a-bout in nature. I wonder!
Mr. Isaac “Ike” Blakey was an ice cutter or perhaps an “ice man”. I’m not sure when he started or for how long he worked this job. I have read that in the 1930’s ” marked the twilight years of the natural ice harvesting industry in many parts of the United States.” This occupation was a dangerous job.
In a news clip from the Argus-Leader Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Thursday, January 16, 1930 on page 4; Isaac spoke a little about his work. They were half way into their work and had to stop because the snow. He describes the ice as being fine quality, is clear and clean and 15 inches thick. He said that “it is about the vest ice he has seen taken from the river….was easy to put, free of snow...”
Family Connections
Isaac Blakey was born in Natchez Adams County Mississippi July 1873 or 1877. He was the son of the formerly enslaved parents, Private Isaac Blakey, veteran of the Civil War and Rachel Lephridge / Jackson Blakey. Isaac was from a large family.
Isaac was the husband of Maggie (Williams) Blakey. They were the parents of about 17 children. He passed on Thursday, April 1, 1971 in Yankton, South Dakota at the age of 97 or 98. That would make his year of birth in 1873.
Isaac’s day of birth was either on March 18th, or July 2nd, or 4th. If he was 98 at death, he could have been born on March 18th. And if he was born on July 2nd or 4th, his parents were married on the 3 of July in 1873.
Thanks for reading.
Ike Blakey In The Ice Harvest : Along The Missouri River
How am I related to Ike Blakey?
Isaac’s brother John Blakey Blakley was my Grandfather John.
R.I.P. Great Uncle Ike
God bless
S.A. Blakley
This blog was August 7, 2025
Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Week Challenge in 2025
The theme for Week 32 is “Wide Open Spaces.“Who in your family tree makes you think of the great outdoors? Who took advantage of homesteading? Who kept moving when the neighbors felt a little too close?
