"WILLIAM D BLAKESLEE, farmer and lumberman, P.O. Spartansburg, was born at Sparta, this township, November 30, 1825, son of Reuben and Prudence (Vorce) Blakeslee, natives of Washington County, NY.....Ninth in the family, (he) was obliged to assist his parents on the farm, and therefore had but limited educational advantages, attending school only a few months. He was married at Sparta, December 22, 1844, to Chloe Rasey, a native of Washington County, NY, daughter of James and Adelia (Hatch) Rasey, who were born, reared and married in Washington County, NY, coming here after their marriage. This union has been blessed with eleven children: Marian (wife of Henry Jackson), Mary L (wife of William Murray), Charles, James N, Salome A (wife of Isaac T King), William A, Walter E, Elmer, Curtis W, Clarence (deceased), and Evvie, living at home. Mr. Blakeslee has been a hard worker, accumulating all he has by his industry, integrity and honesty. He bought his present farm, which he has improved and cultivated, of Timothy Smith. It comprises 120 acres of land. He has always engaged in farming until within a year ago, when he turned his attention to lumbering. His mill, located on the farm near his house, has the capacity of turning out 5,000,000 shingles annually, which are shipped to New York, Buffalo and other markets. Mr Blakeslee has served as Pathmaster for several years, refusing all other township offices. He is a Democrat in politics, but looks more to principles than to party."
(History of Crawford County, PA, Beers, 1884, page 1001)

"Reunion Association Is Formed At Party - Pleasant Gathering at the Fifteenth Wedding Anniversary of Mr and Mrs C C Jackson - Mr and Mrs C C Jackson, formerly of Sparta township, celebrated their fifteenth wedding anniversary at their home on West Normal street, Edinboro, on September 20. Twenty-three relatives joined in spending a delightful day with Mr and Mrs Jackson. At 2 pm dinner was served, covers being laid for twenty-four. Miss Elizabeth Jones, a niece of Mr and Mrs Jackson, and Miss Helen Rae served. The bride and groom of fifteen years ago were presented with a wonderful pink and white cake, decorated with rosebuds and a miniature bride and groom. The cake was made by the Coburn Baking company and was a marvel of delicacy, as well as beauty. The guests also presented Mr and Mrs Jackson with a sum of money as a token of their esteem. Those present from a distance included: Mr and Mrs L W Barbour, Mr and Mrs Harry Oviatt and family, Mr and Mrs W J Smith and daughter, Mrs Jennie Blakeslee, Mrs Abbie Skiff, all of Titusville; Mr and Mrs Ralph Bennett and family, Hydetown; Mr and Mrs W L Blakeslee and family, Spartansburg, and Miss Helen Rae, Linesville. The gathering formed a nucleus for an association to be known as the William Blakeslee reunion which should include the descendants of William and (Cloie Rasey) Blakeslee, one of the pioneer families of Sparta township. Officers of the association were named as follows: President, Mrs Eva Barbour; vice president, Ralph Bennett; secretary-treasurer, Mrs Vessa Jackson. The president appointed the following committees: Table, Mrs Bertha Smith, Mrs Ethel Oviatt, Mrs Clara Blakeslee; entertainment, W J Smith, Clarence Jackson, Irene Smith, Lucille Blakeslee. The secretary was instructed to get in touch with all members, if possible, and the president, Mrs Barbour, invited the association to meet at her home in 1932 at a date which she will decide later. In the early evening the guests returned to their homes after wishing Mr and Mrs Jackson many happy returns of the day."
(Ttusville Herald, Sept 23, 1931, p. 3)

"Blakeslee Reunion Is Held At Spartansburg - Annual Gathering Yesterday Declared One of Most Pleasant For All Attending - Spartansburg, Aug 21 - The William and Cloie Blakeslee reunion was held at the home of Mr and Mrs Clarence Jackson here today. At 1 pm a bounteous dinner was served on the lawn under the spreading branches of a large pine tree which was planted by Mr Jackson's grandfather in 1875. Owing to the absence of both president and vice-president, the secretary conducted the business meeting and the following officers were elected: President, Mrs Eva Barbour; vice-president, Mrs W J Smith; secretary-treasurer, Mrs Vessa Jackson. The following committees were appointed by the vice-president, Mrs Smith: Table, Ethel Oviatt, Beulah Bennett, Lizzie Bennett. Entertainment, William Bennett, Harry Oviatt, Lucille Blakeslee and Irene Smith. One birth and one death was reported during the past year. It was voted to meet next year on the second Sunday in August at the home of Mrs Eva Barbour in Titusville. There were relatives present from Hernell, Salamanca, New York city, Saegertown, Titusville, Edinboro and Spartansburg. The oldest person present was Abbie Skiff, aged 80 years, of Titusville. The oldest member of the Blakeslee family was Mrs Jennie Blakeslee, also of Titusville, widow of W A Blakeslee, who was a son of William and Cloie Blakeslee. The youngest relative present was Mary Adelia Phillips, seven-months-old daughter of Mr and Mrs David Phillips of Titusville. After a buffet supper, the visitors began leaving for their homes, all declaring the 1932 gathering to have been one of the most pleasant they had ever attended."
(Titusville Herald, Aug 22, 1932, p.10)

"Reunions - Blakeslee Family - The third annual reunion of the Wm and (Cloie Rasey) Blakeslee family will be held at the farm home of Mr and Mrs C C Jackson near Spartansburg on Sunday, August 13."
(Titusville Herald, Aug 7, 1933, p.12)

"Blakeslee Family Holds Reunion at Youngsville - The fourth annual reunion of the William and (Cloie) Rasey Blakeslee family was held at the home of Mr and Mrs Henry Ward near Youngsville yesterday. At noon, a delicious dinner was served on the lawn. Ninety-two relatives were present, the oldest being Mrs Mary Blakeslee of Youngsville and the youngest, Dana L Reese, aged six weeks, son of Mr and Mrs Asa Reese of Smethport. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs Eva Barbour; vice president, Bertha Smith; secretary-treasurer, Vessa Jackson. Two deaths, two births and one marriage during the year were reported. The president appointed the following committees: Table, Lydia Phillips, Beulah Bennett, Eva Blakeslee, Irma Blakeslee, Eathel Oviatt, Lois Scouten, Cloie Ward and William Bennett; sports, David Phillips, Ralph Bennett, Paul Blakeslee, William Bennett and Harry Oviatt. It was decided to hold the next reunion at Fieldmore Park, Titusville, the second Sunday in August. Relatives were present from Buffalo, Lackawanna, Hornell, Salamanca, Smethport, Titusville, Spartansburg, Guys Mills, Saegertown, Edinboro and Youngsville."
(Titusville Herald, Aug 13, 1934, p.2)

"Blakeslee Family Has Reunion at Youngsville - The seventh annual reunion of the William and Cloie Blakeslee family was held at Island Park, Youngsville, on Sunday. Fifty-five persons sat down to a bountiful meal. Visitors coming later increased the number present to 61, and the president called the company to order in a business meeting. It was decided to retain the officers for the ensuing year: President, Mrs Eva Barbour, Titusville; vice-president, Mrs Bertha Smith, Titusville; and secretary-treasurer, Mrs Vessa Jackson, Edinboro. The president appointed Elizabeth Jones, Irene Smith and Lucille Blakeslee and Minnie Myers as table committee. Harry Oviatt, Clarence Jackson and Cleon Blakeslee, Bertha Smith, Cloie Ward and Ethel Oviatt were named to the sports committee. A vote of thanks was given Mrs Cloie Ward for the offer of her home for the next reunion. The oldest person present was Mrs Mary Blakeslee of Youngsville, and the youngest was Dora May Blakeslee of Lackawanna, NY. The oldest grandchild was Norris Jackson of Spartansburg, and the youngest was Walter Blakeslee of Youngsville. Two deaths, three births and one marriage were reported by the secretary. Relatives were present from Lackawanna, NY, Ashtabula, O, Kilbuck, NY, and Erie, Smethport, Edinboro and Titusville."
(Titusville Herald, Aug 9, 1937, p.2)

"Blakeslees Hold Annual Reunion At Youngsville - Decide to Erect Marker At Spartansburg for Revolutionary Ancestor - The eighth annual reunion of the descendants of William and Cloie Blakeslee was held at Island Park, Youngsville, on Sunday. Sixty-seven partook of a bounteous dinner, followed by a treat of ice cream. The business meeting was called to order by the president, Eva Barbour of Titusville. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The following officers were elected: President, Eva Barbour; vice president, Clarence Jackson; secretary-treasurer, Vessa B Jackson. The president appointed the following committees: Table, Mary Blakeslee, Bertha Smith, Clara Blakeslee and Elizabeth Jones; sports, Wave Blakeslee, Harry Oviatt, Lawrence Blakeslee, they to choose three ladies as helpers; location for the next reunion, Dave Phillips, Wave Blakeslee, Harry Oviatt, Robert Logan. The secretary reported one birth, two marriages and two deaths. A communication was read by W L Blakeslee, postmaster at Spartansburg, from Carroll K Michener of Minneapolis, Minn, concerning the relation of this branch of the Blakeslee family to Captain David Blakeslee, a soldier of the Revolutionary war. After some research it was found that Captain David Blakeslee was the grandfather of William Blakeslee, in whose memory the present association was formed. Mr Blakeslee has a photostatic copy of the commission issued by the state of New York to David Blakeslee in 1782. The association took steps to get in touch with the Minnesota branch of the family to make plans to have a permanent marker placed in Spartansburg cemetery in memory of the distinguished ancestor. The president appointed Wave Blakeslee as a committee of one to take charge of this important matter. After the business meeting, the afternoon was spent in visiting, games and other diversions. The oldest member present was Mrs Mary Blakeslee, Youngsville; the youngest, Cleon David Blakeslee of Erie; the oldest grandchild, Mrs Vessa B Jackson of Edinboro, and the youngest grandchild, Walter Blakeslee of Youngsville. There were members present from Lackawanna, Fort Niagara, Hornell, Salamanca and Cuba, NY, and from Erie, Edinboro, Smethport, Bradford, Titusville, Spartansburg and Youngsville. At the close of a happy and interesting day the company parted to meet on the second Sunday in August, 1939."
(Titusville Herald, Aug 18, 1938, p.8)

"Blakeslee Family Has Its Tenth Reunion - About fifty members of the William and Cloie Blakeslee family met in the tenth reunion at Snyder's Grove near Grand Valley on Sunday, August 11. Shortly after noon a bounteous picnic dinner was served, after which the president called the business session to order. W L Blakeslee read a letter from C K Michener of the Minnesota branch of the family, which was interesting and informative. The following officers were re-elected: President, Eva Barbour, Titusville; vice-president, Mary Blakeslee, Youngsville; secretary-treasurer, Vessa Jackson, Edinboro. The president named the following committees: Table, Cloie Ward, Bertha Smith, Ethel Oviatt, Clara Blakeslee and Harry Oviatt; sports, Ralph Bennett, Dave Phillips and Clarence Jackson. One marriage was reported, six births and no deaths during the year. The oldest person present was Mary Blakeslee of Youngsville, and the youngest was Raymond Leon Blakeslee, aged one month, of Lackawanna, NY. People came from Lackawanna, NY, Youngsville, Spartansburg, Smethport, Edinboro and Titusville. The next reunion will be held on the second Sunday in August, 1941, the place to be decided later."
(Titusville Herald, Aug 16, 1940, p.3)