Biographies

Judge William C. Blair, Police Judge of Mt. Vernon, and one of the able lawyers at the Bar of Jefferson County, claims Illinois as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Nashville, Washington County, on the 24th of May, 1861. His father, William Blair, was born near Cape Girardeau, Mo., December 21, 1820, and the grandfather, Francis Blair, was a native of Georgia. The latter went to Missouri in 1805 with his parents, being at that time only five years old. There were only fourteen families between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, so he was one of the earliest settlers. He helped to build the first church west of the Mississippi River and there spent his entire life, lie married Jennie Massey, who was born in Lincoln County, N. C., and was a daughter of Drury and Jennie (Pack) Massey, of Virginia. Her death also occurred in Missouri. Their family numbered seven children, including John, who died at the age of fourteen; Franklin and James, who went to California during the gold excitement, and there died; Drury, who was a Lieutenant during the Civil War, and is now deceased, and Isaac N., who died just after the battle of Perryville, while serving in the Union army.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Mary Grain. She was born in Tennessee and was a daughter of Ezekiel and Nancy (Haw) Grain, both natives of Sumner County, Tenn. She had six brothers, Louis, who served for four years and nine months in the late war, and died in Kansas; John, who died at the age of twenty-four; Isaac, who died at the age of thirty; Alfred, who died at the age of thirty-two; William, who served in the late war for three years and is now living in Oakdale, 111., and Jack, who makes his home in California.

The parents of our subject were married February 1, 1844, in Missouri, and in 1845 came to Illinois, locating in Nashville, where the father was employed as a brick and stone mason. In 1872, he came to Mt. Vernon, where he carried on his trade until a short time since, when he retired to private life. In 1894, he and his estimable wife celebrated their golden wedding. Their five sons and four daughters, with one exception, were all present. Although the parents are now well advanced in years, they still enjoy good health, and each day Mr. Blair calls at the office of his son, where he reads with much interest the daily papers, thus keeping well informed on general topics.

The children of the family are, Nancy J., now the wife of B. Parker, of Hutchinson, Kan.; Lina, wife of W. D. Maxey, a farmer of Jefferson County; James R., who is trainmaster on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad in Kansas City; Thomas L., who is connected with the elevated railroad in St. Louis; Sallie E., wife of Joseph Lowe, of Mt. Vernon; Frank G., Superintendent of schools in LeRoy, ILL.; G. W., Principal of the West Side schools of Mt. Vernon, and Minnie M., wife of C. R. Phillips, a farmer of Jefferson County.

The Judge was only eleven years old when the family came to Mt. Vernon. He attended school until twelve years of age, when his father lost all of his property and his son had to aid in the support of the family, but his leisure hours he devoted to his books, thus becoming well informed. At the age of eighteen he began reading law, spent one year in the office of an attorney of Mt. Vernon, and then, passing a rigid examination, was admitted to the Bar. He has built up a very extensive practice, and has associated with him Colonel Jones, a noted criminal lawyer, and Capt. J. R. Moss in the real-estate business.

In 1886, Judge Blair was united in marriage with Miss Laura E. Johnson, daughter of L. C. Johnson, a veteran of the late war. They now have five children, Ethel M., Mary J., Willie L., Katie L. and a babe unnamed. The parents are both members of the Methodist Church, have many warm friends throughout the community and rank high in social circles.

The Judge has taken quite a prominent part in politics, and aided in establishing the Progressive Farmer of Mt. Vernou, the paper of the People's party. In May, 1892, he made the race for County Judge on the People's ticket, but was defeated. He is now serving as Police Magistrate, and was appointed by Governor Fifer as Public Administrator for Jefferson County. He is a prominent member and officer in the Knights of Pythias lodge, belongs to the Modern Woodman fraternity, and was one of the original members of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association in Jefferson County.

Note from Sandy: the 1886 marriage date above conflicts with the following:

Illinois Statewide Marriage Index

BLAIR, WILLIAM C JOHNSON, LAURA E 1884-12-06 006 0010 00000196 JEFFERSON