The Payette Independent
Thursday, May 02, 1929
DEATH OF E. W. BLAKESLEY
Ephriam W. Blakesley yielded to the infirmity of years, and departed the life in the flesh last Saturday, April 27, at the Brown hospital. His experience was a verification of the ancient saying: "If by reason of strength one lives to fourscore, yet that extra time is apt to be labor and sorrow." Mr. Blakesley had lived 82 years and almost a quarter of another. Up to the three score and ten period he was a man of remarkable vigor mentally as well as physically. The twelve extra years have brought him much suffering and distress. First, infirmity of the feet, accompanied with great pain, and the last six or seven years failing eyesight, up to complete blindness, has made life a heavy burden.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Landon parlors when the two organizations in which he held membership spoke and acted in expression of esteem and sympathy which were shared by many other friends in attendance.
Mr. Blakesley completed a course of law study and was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois when but 22 years of age. But Iowa was attracting many people at that time, so in 1874 a move was made to Anita, Iowa, where he continued to practice law; he became editor of Anita Times and later turned to farming until 1906 when another move brought him to Idaho for the last 22 years of his life already narrated.
He was inducted into the order of A.F. and A.M. in early manhood and received into membership in the Presbyterian Church of Payette after coming here. Both these organization, as well as many other friends, here already been mentioned as joining to make the funeral service an expression of regard of him who is taken, and of sympathy for those who are left, neighbors and friends among us.
His last years were in high contrast to those of the half century - 1866 to 1915. He was born in Stephens county, Illinois, February 15, 1847. At the age of 16 he went out to explore the world, going as far as to California, but returned before many years, was married in the Illinois home to a noble girl, Marion Gardner, with whom he lived until the time of her death in Payette in 1919. Six children were born to the marriage, but only four lived beyond their infancy period. These four are among us. Well known and esteemed, B. C. Blakesley, of Fruitland; Mrs. C. P. Lattig and Mrs. R. H. Woods, of Payette, and Mrs. Claude L. Shaw (Beatrice) who now lives in Chicago.
Of grandchildren there are six. Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Blakesley have Gladys and Doris; the Lattigs have Dr. Bayard B.; The Woods have Charles R. and Marion G.; and the Shaws have Marian Arabella. Contributed
