In the early 1900’s a few Blakeys in Missouri mind up their minds to move northward to South Dakota. They were seeking freedom like they have never seen anywhere. What drove them from Missouri?
According to Theodore “Ted Blakey, son of Henry Blakey Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Fristoe) Blakey, his father and Uncle Isaac Blakey moved to South Dakota to seek freedom. They were encouraged by a man by the name of Tom Douglass.
In 1904 Henry Blakey was fed up with racial abuse in Missouri. So, he took the next step to better himself by moving northward. This lead the way for other family members followed afterward.
The article was published on page 14 on Monday, January 17, 1994 in the Argus-Leader Sioux Falls, South Dakota . This was some of what Ted Blakey shared in that article.
When Henry and his brother Isaac arrived in Yankton, Tom Douglass had promised them “shacks” and that they could live there free of rent until they got on their feet. He line them up with jobs. Six months went by and Tom didn’t accept a dime from them.
The Blakey brothers experienced freedom like never before. They worked and received the same pay as the white workers. They sat together and ate together at the same table with white workers. Each Saturday they were paid 1 1/2 cent for each bushel they picked.
Henry worked at state cement plant until 1911. And by in 1915 Blakey saved up money to purchased 40 acres of land. It was 2 miles East of Yankton. The Blakeys found friends along with their found freedom. The Henry Blakey farm was in the family from 1915 – 1978.
The photo was from the Argus-Leader Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It was published on Monday January 15, 2001 on page. Here’s some more of what Ted Blakey shared…
Isaac Blakey Jr. and Henry Blakey paved the way for others family members to experience this freedom. And there came 14 other siblings that made the journey to South Dakota. There were 13 children of Private Isaac Blakey Sr. and Rachel (Lephridge / Jackson) Blakey.
Isaac Blakey Jr. in 1905. And later came his wife Maggie with their two children.
Henry Blakey Sr. with his fiancé, Mary Fristoe in 1905
Spencer Turner Blakey in 1906. And he later married L. Mary Kinney.
Jordan Blakey in 1911.
He later moved to Ann Harbor Michigan with wife Rubenia (Holt) Blakey around 1930’s.
Mary with her husband, Rev Ollie Green in 1912
Martha “Dot” with her husband Ernest Hayes in 1913
Lillie “Susie” with her husband Edward Hayes in 1913
Ernest and Edward Hayes were brothers.
Edna Mae (Blakey) Jackson came around 1916.
She and her husband Richard Bentley moved to Sacramento.
Ollie “Dek” Blakey with his wife Margaret around 1920.
And later moved to Sacramento CA.
Archie Blakey came with Ollie and Margaret around 1920.
And later moved to Sacramento CA. around 1927.
Lawhorn “Doc” Blakey came around 1924.
And later moved to Sacramento CA.
As for the others siblings their years isn’t known
Beecher Blakey passed before 1915 in South Dakota.
Annie Mae Blakey
She was mentioned in the Slavery Descendants article in 1971, one who came to Yankton.
Isaac Blakey Sr. had a son named John Blakey Blakley; he made the journey to Yankton.
He was preparing a place for his wife, Jennie and family to come but, he passed in Yankton in 1918. His mother was Martha (Scott ) Blakey. And John was my grandfather.
Thanks for reading.
Blakey Siblings Sought Freedom In South Dakota.
They found freedom like they had never seen anywhere, before.
May 15, 2024 The In Remembrance was added to this blog.
Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections: In Memory For June
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley
Week 20 ~ Amy Johnson Crows’ #42Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge for 2024
The theme for Week 20 is “Taking Care of Business.” Many of our ancestors ran businesses, either as their full-time occupation or on the side. “Taking care of business” can also be a euphemism for getting things done. Who does the phrase remind you of?
