Abraham H. Blakesley
Jan. 31, 1898; Oregonian, p 2
"A Pioneer's Death"
St. Helens, Or., Jan. 29

   Abraham H. Blakesley, one of Oregon's pioneer sons, died in this city today at 3 P.M., at the age of 66 years, of paralysis.  In the early part of last August the deceased received a partial stroke of paralysis, and Monday, January 17, the second and fatal stroke was received.  All  was done that medical science could do for him, and life was prolonged several days.  The deceased was born in Vermilion county, Ind., December 31, 1831, and came to Oregon 44 years ago.  He soon went to California and engaged in mining and farming for a time, when he returned to Oregon and located in Jackson county, where he helped to organize the republican party in 1858, and aided in electing Lincoln president in 1860.  He then lived for a few years in Siskiyou county, Cal., and for three years n Benton county, this state.  Twenty-five years ago Mr. Blakesley came to this city, where he engaged in the hotel business, in which he has continued at the time of his death being owner and manager of the Oriental hotel, during which time he has catered to the wishes of thousands of people.  The deceased was prominently identified with the growth of St. Helens and the development of Columbia county, and amassed a comfortable amount of property in and around this city.  He was a member of the common council three terms, and at the time of his death was a member of that body.  He held the office of justice of the peace in this precinct for nine successive years.  He leaves a family of four sons and two daughters, all grown, to mourn his untimely death.  His wife died 15 years ago.  He leaves one brother in Oregon, O. R. Blakesley, at Harlow, Curry county, three brothers and one sister in Iowa, and a sister in Nebraska.  The brother in this state and the deceased came to the coast together, walking all the way from Iowa.  His remains will be laid to rest in Odd Fellows' cemetery February 1 by the members of that order, of which he was a past noble grand.