William Edwin Blair (1911)

BLAIR, CARTER, MISNER, MATTHEWS

Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 2/27/2007 at 15:57:21

Atlantic Evening News
Atlantic, Iowa
Wednesday, June 28, 1911
Page 1, Column 3

DEATH WAS SUDDEN

W. E. BLAIR, WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED CITIZEN IS FOUND DEAD IN BED THIS MORNING

Heart Trouble the Cause of Death – Was Nearly Seventy-five Years Of Age

Death came suddenly, without warning, to William Edward Blair, a well-known and respected resident of this city and county for thirty-six years, at his home, 600 Spruce street, early this morning. Heart trouble was the cause of his demise and he was found by his wife about 6 o’clock this morning with life extinct.

Deceased had been troubled for the past year or more with a bad leakage of the heart and his physician had warned him that death might come any time. He had not been feeling badly, however, and yesterday and last evening seemed in good health. He read till about ten o’clock last night and went to bed on the cot and one of the living rooms, where he sleeps in the summer time.

This morning Mrs. Blair arose at six o’clock and looking in at her husband thought he was still sleeping. Speaking to him she received no response, but even then she did not suspect the truth. Finally raising the curtain a trifle more she marked the quietness of her husband and she laid her hands on his space and discovered that he was dead. Mrs. Blair was badly overcome by the discovery for a few moments, but later some of the neighbors and Mrs. Misner, her daughter, were summoned. A physician was sent for, but he could do no good as Mr. Blair was passed human aid. The opinion is that he died about 5:30 as he was not yet cold when his wife discovered that he was dead.

The news of Mr. Blair’s death came as a shock and a surprise to the many who knew him. He was down town yesterday and last evening sat for a time on his porch, waving at passing acquaintances, and seemed in excellent spirits.

Mr. Blair was born in Adair county, Kentucky, on 22 July, 1836, and on the 21st day of August, 1854, he was married in that county to miss Carter, who survives him. In 1860 they came to this state, locating in Madison county, and in 1875 came here, locating on a farm in Bear Grove township where they lived till 1882 when the court house was built in this city, Mr. Blair coming to town to work on that building. Since that time he and his wife have made their home in the house at Sixth and Spruce streets where he died.

He leaves his wife, one daughter, Mrs. Emery Misner, of this city; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was the last of a family of twelve children. He was a member of the M. E. Church and a lifelong Republican in politics. His father was a minister of the United Brethren church and a strong abolitionist at the time of the war. Mr. Blair would have enlisted with the northern army by his health was poor and he was not accepted, so he was not a veteran of the civil war.

The funeral services are to be held Friday afternoon at two o’clock at the late home, the Rev. Griffith officiating, and the interment is to be in the mausoleum at the cemetery.

Every one who knew the deceased respected and liked him. Of old Kentucky stock and raised to value his honor more than his life if needs be, his relations with his fellows were honorable and square. In his comings and goings he always did the right as he saw it and he leaves a name unsullied in a memory which will ever be cherished by those who knew him. He was a genial gentleman at all times and wherever he went scattered sunshine.

The story of his life work will not be emblazoned on the pages of history. The world in which he lived and moved and had his being is not a large one, but within the confines of his sphere he discharged every duty of his life, honestly, fearlessly and with the best there was in him. More than this can be said of no man.

The News know “Uncle Billy” Blair as a personal friend. It joins with of those near and dear to him in mourning his passing and extends to them at this hour its heartfelt sympathy.
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The following was attributed to the July 28, 1911 edition of The Winterset Madisonian but it could not be found in a search of all Winterset newspapers of that period. It is written as if published by an Atlantic newspaper but could not be found there either.

W. E. BLAIR FOUND DEAD IN BED
EARLY THIS MORNING

Well Known Carpenter Was Up Town Apparently in Good Health Yesterday

This morning at 6 a.m. W. E. Blair, living at 600 Spruce street was found dead in bed. Mrs. Blair got up about 5:30 and went out to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. At that time her husband was alive. Mr. Blair had been a sufferer with heart trouble for a number of years. He was down town yesterday talking with friends and doing some shopping and was apparently in as good health as ever.

The deceased was born in Adair county, Kentucky, July 22, 1836, being at the time of his death, 74 years and 11 months of age. He came to Iowa in 1860, settling in Madison county near Winterset. In 1875, he removed to Cass county on a farm nine miles south of this place, then removing to 600 Spruce street where he has since resided.

He was married to Lou Carten in 1854 at Cumberland, Adair county, Kentucky. He leaves a wife, one daughter, Mrs. E. Misner, 1101 East Tenth street, four grandchildren, Mrs. M. E. Matthews, 901 Oak street; Chas., Ruth and Paul Misner and two great grandchildren, Donald and Nellie Matthews. His brothers and sisters are all dead but he has a number of nieces and nephews in the east.

The deceased was a carpenter by trade and was employed in the construction of the county court house. He has been a member of the Methodist church ever since coming to this county, previous to that time belonging to the United Brethern church.

The funeral will be held Friday at two o'clock from the house, Rev. Griffith of the Methodist church officiating. Interment will be in the mausoleum. The pall bearers will be Wilson Prall, B. R. Wasson, Lansing Miller, Geo. McCormick, I. V. Conine and Wm. Jacobson.

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