William Preston Blair 1859-1935

BLAIR, GRAFING, LITTIG

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/2/2017 at 08:35:29

24 January 1935 - The Tipton Advertiser

Preston Blair, Pioneer Resident of Bennett Community, Passes

Preston Blair, who had been a invalid for more than five years, passed away at his home in Bennett, Wednesday afternoon, January 16th, at 4:00 o'clock. Mr. Blair was a native of the Bennett community in Cedar county, and had resided there his entire life, with exception of a few years' residence in Davenport.

Funeral services were held at the family home in Bennett, Saturday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by the Rev. Otis Moore. Interment was made in the Inland cemetery, northeast of Bennett.

William Preston Blair was born April 14, 1859, four miles southwest of Bennett. He was the son of William Morgan and Anna Blair, pioneer settlers, who came from West Virginia to make their home in Iowa. When he was three years old, the family moved to the farm south of Bennett where Mr. Blair grew to manhood and continued to live until his retirement from active farm duties. With the exception of two years spent in Davenport, he lived in the Bennett community all his life and watched the t0wn and community grow from practically a prairie to its present state. He not only watched this growth but had a significant part himself in the development.

He was married to Lena Grafing on June 2, 1890. To this union were born two children, Mrs. Anna Littig of Davenport and Wm. F. Blair of Bennett. Mr. Blair is survived by his widow, Lona Graffing Blair, the son and daughter and by four grandchildren, three nephews and one niece of the immediate family, besides many other relatives and friends.

A native son of Cedar county, Mr. Blair was one of the most respected and beloved citizens of the Bennett community. He was always alert to help in that which he thought would further the upbuilding of the community. He loved to visit with his many old friends, reviewing old days and looking toward the future. A sufferer for five years, he was unfailingly courageous and self forgetful.

So be my passing:
My task accomplished and the long day done
My wages taken and in my heart
Some late lark singing.
Let me be gathered to the quiet west
The sundown splendid and serene.

Transcribers note: the wife's name is as printed in the obituary