George Washington Blair (1927)

BLAIR, BOSE, KELLY, PORTER

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson
Date: 9/28/2012 at 20:02:22

Afton Star Enterprise
Afton, Iowa
April 1927

GEORGE W. BLAIR

The passing of Geo. W. Blair removes another pioneer resident from this community, one who came here in an early days and assisted materially in its development. Past eighty-eight years of age and for the last year or two has been failing, death coming as a natural result.

Mr. Blair came to Union County forty-two years ago, prior to that time living in Madison County. He was born August 8, 1839, in Shelby County, Indiana, coming to Iowa when a young man. He was married to Anna Elizabeth Porter, who survives, March 21, 1861, and to this union were born eight sons and three daughters: F.M. of Oskaloosa, IA.; C. A. of Grinnell, IA; John of Afton; Chas. E. of Des Moines; George of Afton; Dr. M. M. of Norwood, Colorado; Howard S. of Kalamazoo, Mich.; James of Afton; Mary M. who died Jan. 15, 1905; Mrs. Alta C. Kelly of Afton and Myrtle S. Bose of Perry, Iowa. All the living children except Dr. M. M. Blair were present at the funeral service. He was unable to come on account of impassable condition of the the roads due to heavy snow in the mountains.

For many years the family lived on a farm north of Afton, moving into town in 1902. In 1905 he united with the Presbyterian church, together with his companion. He loved the Bible and its teachings, especially as it was expressed through beautiful songs, often singing them from memory at night during his sleep.

With the one exception this is the first death in the family, an unusual circumstance in a family so large. The aged wife survives and enjoys good health both in mind and body. There also survives thirty-eight grandchildren and thirty-one great grandchildren.

Grandsons of the deceased acted as pall bearers at the funeral service which was held yesterday at 2:30 p.m. at the Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. A. F. Ploetz, and interment was made in Greenlawn Cemetery. Miss Vera Blair, granddaughter, sang a solo and a quartette composed of A. J. Milligan, F. G. Stevenson, Dr. C. B. Roe and Lorne Parks rendered other beautiful selections.

A large number of people attended the service attesting the high esteem in which he was held by the people of this community and the beautiful casket was covered with floral offerings in loyal tribute to his memory. A loving husband, father and a kind neighbor has gone to a rich reward.

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