FAIR, James H.

FAIR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/30/2021 at 20:34:22

James H. Fair

James H. Fair, a prosperous and highly respected farmer and stock-raiser of Silver Creek Township, Ida County, Iowa, post office, Ida Grove, was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1853. He was the oldest of four children of Thomas and Mary Fair, also natives of Ireland, but who trace their ancestry back to Scotland. His father and mother died in Ireland a number of years ago.
The subject of this sketch received his early education and training in the common schools of Ireland and spent his youth on a farm. He came to America in 1873, when twenty years old, and settled in Delaware county, Iowa. April 12, 1877, he was married to Miss Lindsay, also a native of Ireland, and a daughter of James and Sarah Lindsay, likewise natives of the Emerald Isle, where they still reside. In 1878 Mr. Fair and his family removed to Ida Grove, Ida county, settling on section 18, in Silver Creek Township, where they remained three years. They then removed to section 32, where they settled on a farm of 160 acres of raw land, which Mr. Fair fenced and cultivated. Wild game was then abundant, few houses dotting the hillsides, and but slight obstruction existing to a straight course across the prairies to Ida Grove. By industry and frugality Mr. Fair has added to his first purchase of land until he now owns 293 acres, all well cultivated and improved, with a good farm residence, convenient barn, an excellent granary and outbuildings. The farm has a good spring for watering purposes, an orchard, ornamental trees, etc., the whole place wearing an air of honest thrift and contentment. Mr. and Mrs. Fair have nine children: Thomas Edward, Sarah Annie, Lillie Jane, Marguerette Maud, James Graham, William Andrew, Mary Eliza, Theressa Martha, and an infant. Politically, Mr. Fair is a Republican and an active worker for their cause. He has held the office of School Director of his township, and at the present time is Justice of the Peace. He is also Secretary of the county organization of the F. A. & I. U., and also of the local lodge. He and his worthy wife are useful members of the Silver Creek Methodist Episcopal Church. Such universal indorsement by his constituents is sufficient guarantee of Mr. Fair’s ability and upright character, to which he adds the charm of a genial personality, so marked a feature of his nationality.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.433