Martha Ellen (Jacobson) Blakely

Funeral services are held in Ticonic Church with burial in Grant Center, Iowa. Funeral services for Mrs. (Jacobson) Blakely, 77 years old, who passed away in her home at Grant Center, March 24, 1941 were held Wednesday afternoon of last week in the Ticonic Methodist Church. Rev. J.E. Lombard of Smithland officiated. Interment was in Grant Cemetery near Rodney, IA under the direction of Mcvay Funeral Home of Whiting, IA. A mixed quartet composed of Mrs. Lavina McMaster, Mrs. Sadie Nagel, Orlo Johnson and Paul Nagel sang Rock of Ages, and In the Garden and Abide with Me. They were accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Abner Persinger. Jay Pritchard, William Cox. Walter Madsen, Abner Persinger, Neal Sherman and Russell Woodward served as Pallbearers.

Martha Ellen Butcher, daughter of William and Amelia Phelps Butcher was born near Schoolcraft, MIchigan, on July 15, 1863. Her mother passed away when she was 4 years old. She came with her father to Iowa and settled near Onawa. They made the trip to Iowa in a covered wagon. She married John Jacobson in 1880. He passed away in 1885 leaving her with two small children. She married Wilber A. Blakely in January 29, 1887. Mrs. Blakely was a member of the Methodist Church. When the Grant Center Ladies Aid was organized she was elected President and served in that capacity for 10 years. She had been confined to her bed for several months, following a fracture hip.

She is survived by her husband, one daughter, Mrs. Pearl McKenney of Kennedy, MN, four sons, Ira J. Jacobson of Mapleton, Albert H. Blakely of Ticonic, Clarence E. Blakely of Onawa and William Ivan Blakely of Grant Center and a foster daughter, Mrs. Ella Nagel of Grant Center. She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Cene Hiesrodt of Levenworth, Kansas, and Mrs. Emma Ingram of Onawa, IA, 22 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. One son John Lewis preceded her in death.

Ella Cheeney Nagel was the niece of Martha Ellen Blakely. Ella's mother, Adeline, died shortly after she was born and she was brought back to Iowa and raised by Wilber and Martha.