John B. Blair (1840-1912)

BLAIR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/26/2022 at 11:29:02

John Burns Blair
(October 8, 1840 – August 22, 1912)

The life of John B. Blair proves conclusively that success is not a matter of genius, but is the outcome of clear judgment and unfaltering diligence. Mr. Blair has acquired a comfortable competence entirely through his own efforts and is today the owner of a very valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres, pleasantly and conveniently located within a mile of Yetter. Since March,
1874, he has resided in Calhoun County, and is therefore numbered among its early settlers. Pennsylvania is the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Crawford County, on the 8th of October, 1840. His father, James Blair, was a native of the Keystone state, and Moses Blair, the grand-father, was one of the pioneers there. Having arrived at years of maturity, James Blair wooed and won Miss Nancy MacElhaney and upon a farm in the Keystone state they began their domestic life. Five children were born unto them in that locality, and in 1849 James Blair, with his family, removed to
Wisconsin, settling in Lafayette County. There he purchased from the government two hundred and forty acres of land which was covered with timber. Clearing away the trees and preparing the land for cultivation he transformed it into richly cultivated fields and continued to operate that farm until his death. His first wife died in Wisconsin and he was afterward married again. In the family were four sons and three daughters who reached years of maturity.
It is of the old Wisconsin homestead that John B. Blair has a vivid recollection, for it was on that place that he was reared, working in the fields and enjoying the pleasures in which boys of that period usually indulged. The district schools furnished him his educational privileges, and when the Civil war was inaugurated he responded to his country's call, enlisting on the 30th of May, 1861. He had watched with interest the progress of events and resolved that if the south attempted to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its behalf. Accordingly when a military organization was formed in his neighborhood, he joined it, and as a member of Company H, Third Wisconsin Infantry, went to the front, his regiment being attached to the army of the Potomac. In many important battles he faced the enemy's fire, taking part in the engagements at Harpers Ferry, Winchester. the second battle of Bull Run, and the battle of Cedar Mountain. At the last named place his brother, Robert Blair, was wounded, part of his right hand being torn away, thus permanently disabling him. He was also in the battles of Beverly Ford, Amtietam and Gettysburg, and after the last named he went to New York and aided in enforcing the draft. When the disturbance was quelled in the metropolis, Mr. Blair returned to Rappahannock and thence was sent to Chattanooga under General Hooker, taking part in the Tennessee campaign. He was in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Dallas and Pumpkin Vine Creek. He was also in the Atlanta campaign and the battle of Snake Creek Gap, and aided in the capture of the city of Atlanta, after which he went with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea, taking part in numerous skirmishes on the way. He was also at Raleigh when Johnston surrendered, and later marched through Richmond and on to Washington, participating in the grand review which terminated the war, the victorious army marching by the reviewing stand on which stood the president. It was the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. Mr. Blair was then sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was honorably discharged June 18, 1865. He was never ill or wounded and always escaped capture. He remained faithfully at his post of duty and received but one furlough, being at home for thirty days in the winter of 1863. He was at home on the last of January, 1864, a day which was so bitterly cold that it is memorable in the history of the state. After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Blair returned to his home in Wisconsin and resumed work on the farm where he was reared. He was married in Green County, Wisconsin, on the i8th of April, 1867, to Miss Sylvia A. Allen, a native of Ohio, born in Sandusky County, — a daughter of J. B. Allen. who was likewise born in the Buckeye state. He was graduated in Zanesville, Ohio, and was a successful and popular teacher for many years. In 1857 he removed to Green County, Wisconsin and there again engaged in teaching. He spent his remaining days in that county, passing away in 1874.
Mr. and Mrs. Blair began their domestic life in Wisconsin and became the parents of nine sons and two daughters. William, who is married and follows carpentering in Woonsocket. South Dakota ; Louis J., a clerk in the store of H. C. Reman, of Yetter, Iowa; Frank C, who is engaged in the restaurant business in Yetter; Fred L., who is a student in the medical college at Iowa
City; Edwin J., at home; Ralph and Harry, who are in school ; Minnie J., the wife of George Yepson, a farmer near Yetter ; and Lizzie, the wife of Jasper Yepson, a merchant of Yetter. Mr. and Mrs. Blair also lost two children in infancy, Thomas B. and Lawrence G.
After residing for some time in Wisconsin, Mr. Blair came with his family to Iowa in 1874, purchasing land upon which he built a little house. He at once began to break his farm, and in the course of years made it a very valuable tract. His first home has long since been replaced by a more modern and commodious residence. He has also built a barn, put up a windmill, planted fruit and shade trees, and added all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm of the twentieth century. He is raising a high grade of stock and from this branch of his business derives a good income. On questions of national importance he votes with the Republican party, but at local elections,
where no issue is involved, he considers only the capability of the candidate and votes independently. His first presidential ballot supported Abraham Lincoln and was cast while he was a member of the army in 1864. He has never been an office-seeker, but has served as road supervisor for seventeen years in the township and five years in his district. He is now township trustee, and he has been a delegate to various county conventions. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge of Yetter, having been made a member of the organization in Auburn. He likewise belongs to the Grand Army Post at Lake City and finds pleasure in recalling the incidents that occurred when he was upon the tented field or in the midst of battle. He is today as true to his duties of citizenship as when the country needed his aid and he followed the stars and stripes through the south. He gives his support to all measures that tend to advance the material, intellectual and moral welfare of the community, and as a representative of the farming interests of the county is very widely and favorably known. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.257]