Bair, Isaiah F. (1843-1932)

BAIR

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 11/4/2008 at 13:33:28

Isaiah F. Bair
Sep 21, 1843 - Mar 7, 1932

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.239, Valley Twp.)
I. L. Bair, farming, P. O. Hancock, was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1843, son of David Bair, a blacksmith by trade, now living in retirement in Johnson County, Iowa, where he was one of the early settlers. Mr. Bair had seven brothers, one of whom is dead, and one sister. In 1854, he, with his parents, left Ohio and settled in Johnson County, Iowa, thence, in March, 1877, he came to Valley Township, Pottawattamie County. In August,1 862, Mr. Bair enlisted in Company K, Twenty-second Iowa Regiment, continuing in the same till the close of teh war; he was in the Vicksburg campaign, under Grant, and in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, under Sheridan; he came out without a wound. Mr. Bair was married, in 1868, to Miss Almina E. Pophan, born in Kosciusko County, Ind., daughter of Richard Pophan. Mr. and Mrs. Bair have four children - Louisa Ellen, Charles R., Clinton H., and Howard P. Mr. Bair and wife are members of the M. E. Church, of Hancock. Mr. Bair's farm consists of 120 acres, all well under cultivation, and the acquirement of his own industry. Mr. Bair is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the A. H. T. A.; in politics, is a Republican.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, p.408)
ISAIAH F. BAIR, one of the old soldier farmers of Valley Township, who when our great civil war broke out, volunteered in defense of the Union and enlisted August 22, 1862 in Company K, 22nd Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served three years and was honorably discharged at Savannah, Georgia. He was in the battles of Fort Gibson, Champion Hill, Black River, Siege of Ricksburg, and the Red River campaign. After this the regiment was transferred to the 19th Army Corps and sent to the east, joining the great Army of the Potomac. He was under Sheridan at Winchester, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek; the latter Mr. Bair describes as the hardest battle in which he participated. He was also in several skirmishes, after which he went to Moorhead, North Carolina; was there ordered to Augusta, Georgia, and was mustered out at Savannah, Georgia. From there he returned to Davenport, Iowa, where he was paid in full and returned home. Mr. BAIR was born in the village of Willwood, Knox Co., Ohio, Sept 21, 1843, son of DAVID BAIR, who was a blacksmith by trade. He (David) was born in Pennsylvania and was the son of CHRISTIAN BAIR, who served in the war of 1812, and also in several skirmishes. His father, the great-grandfather of our subject, served in the Revolutionary war, and was a native of Germany. He emigrated from Pennsylvania to Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in an early day and built his log cabin in the woods. He was the father of four children: Michael, Jacob, David and Sarah. CHRISTIAN BAIR died in Indiana at the age of 83 years; he was a member of the Dunkard Church, was a prominent farmer and a man of integrity and honesty. DAVID BAIR, the father of our subject, was born on a farm in Pennsylvania and was but a small boy of between three and four years when his father came to Ohio. He learned his trade in that state, and when a young man of 21 years, was married in Indiana to RHODA BYBEE, daughter of JOHN and LUCEANE (LANE) BYBEE. They were the parents of 7 children: John, Robert, Byron, Elizabeth, Lucinda, Rhoda and Ann. The father emigrated to Utah Territory and was one of the pioneers. He died in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. DAVID BAIR were the parents of 9 children: Uriah, Elizabeth who died in infancy; Isaiah, Byron, David, John, Charles, Harvey, and Sarah. After marriage, Mr. BAIR settled in Millwood, Knox Co., Ohio, where he worked at his trade until 1854, when he emigrated with his family to Green Township, Iowa County. He improved a farm in that county and lived there until 1882 when he removed to Iowa City where he is still living at an advanced age. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Church, of which he is a trustee, and socially he is a Mason, being a member of the blue lodge. He has always lived an honorable and upright life and is respected by all who know him. From such old Revolutionary and pioneer stock, and from men who fought for independence and again to establish it, and who assisted in settling up the untracked forests and wild prairies, descends our soldier citizen. After his return from the war, Mr. ISAIAH BAIR settled in Johnson County on a farm until 1877, when he came to Valley Township and settled on his present farm of 120 acres. Politically he is a Republican, socially a Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge, and religiously a member of the Methodist Church of which he is a trustee. He has been an Assessor of his county and stands deservedly high as an honorable citizen whose word is as good as his bond. He is a self-made man, having accumulated his property by his own industry and energy. He is a commander of the William Layton Post No. 358 of Oakland, Iowa. He was married in Johnson Co., Iowa, to ALMINRA E. POPHAM, daughter of Richard and Lucy (Barnes) Popham, who were of English descent, and first settled in New England. RICHARD POPHAM was born in Knox Co., Ohio, and was the son of FRANK POPHAM, who was one of the early pioneer merchants and financiers of that state. Richard and Lucy Popham were married in Kosciusko Co., Indiana, and had one child, Alminra E. Popham. They lived in that state until 1860 when they came to Iowa, settling on a farm in Johnson Co. In 1880 they removed to Hancock, Iowa, where the wife died in 1887. Mr. Popham is now living with his daughter and son-in-law. To Mr. and Mrs. BAIR have been born five children: Louisa, who is the wife of Robert MARTIN; Charles is attending school at Iowa City; Clinton, Howard, and Arza.