BLAIR, Charles E.

BLAIR, WESTFALL, BENSON, MINOR

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/20/2014 at 06:35:27

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith, Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. pp. 330-31. Chicago. 1915.

CHARLES E. BLAIR

CHARLES E. BLAIR, manager of the Supply Store at Lamoni, operated by the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, has demonstrated his right to rank with the able and progressive business men of Decatur county. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, in 1851, a son of the late Elder W. W. Blair, further mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work.

Charles E. Blair was reared in Illinois and there received a good education. In 1887 he removed to Lamoni and has since made this city his place of residence, although for years he was a commercial traveler and in that capacity visited many states of the Union. He represented at various times dry-goods, machinery and provision houses and in his thirty years' experience on the road became thoroughly familiar with various lines of merchandise and also gained an insight into the most successful methods of conducting a mercantile business. For the last seven years he has been manager of the Supply Store at Lamoni and the experience which he gained as a traveling salesman has been of great benefit to him in his present position. The store is one of the largest and best equipped in Decatur county and Mr. Blair is constantly seeking to render greater service to his customers and studies carefully their needs, striving to keep in stock all conmiodities for which there is a demand.

Mr. Blair was married in Illinois to Miss Dorothy M. Westfall, a native of Michigan, who, however, was reared in the state of New York and resided in Illinois for two years before her marriage. To this union have been born two children. William S. is engaged in the real-estate business in Dallas, Texas, and is meeting with gratifying success in his chosen occupation. He was a lieutenant in the Forty-fourth United States Volunteers during the Spanish-American war and served in the Philippines for three years. His wife was formerly Miss Vitura Benson, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and they have one child, Virginia. Bessie is now Mrs. Henry Minor, of Leon, and has a son and daughter.

Mr. Blair gives his political allegiance to the rei3ublican party as he believes that its policies are best adapted to secure the permanent welfare of the country. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife hold membership in the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, of which he is a deacon. He is not only held in high esteem because of his unquestioned business ability but is also respected for his integrity and sterling worth as a man.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014