BLAIR, George J. (1834-1911)

BLAIR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/4/2017 at 16:59:44

George Jefferson Blair
(January 25, 1834 - January 3, 1911)

Indianola Herald, Indianola, Iowa, Thurs., Jan 19, 1911, front page
Obituary – George Blair
George Jefferson Blair was born in Adair County, Kentucky, January 25, 1834, and was one of the ten children of Rev. John M. and Sallie Young Blair, of these only one survive, William Blair of Atlantic, Ia. When 32 years old he came to Iowa reaching Madison County May 6, 1866, residing there till 1875 when he purchased the farm known as the Joshua Wallace farm in Jefferson Township, Warren County, which because of failing health, he sold in 1893 and moved to Conger, Iowa, where he was the land-lord of the Conger Hotel until his death January 3, 1911, aged 75 years, 11 months and 8 days.
November 12, 1854, he married Miss Mary A. Hamilton of Barren City and commenced a home life that continued for more than 56 years. To them were born 3 sons and 4 daughters: Sarah, wife of Elmer Kinnard of New Virginia, Iowa, Louella, wife of Frank Norman of Indianola, John and Leonard of Eaglewood, Kansas, Clay of Chelan, Washington, Ora, wife of King Young of Madison County, Iowa, and Mary at home, all of whom were home for his funeral. There are also surviving him twenty-two grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren.
Mr. Blair was a characteristic Kentuckian with intense love of home and family, with strong opinions on social and public questions and was especially interested in the public schools, being for over twenty years a member of the school board, and most of the time its president. Soon after coming to Iowa he joined the United Brethren church and ever after was true to the faith. And in the time of declining strength of old age and the weakness of body, never very robust or strong, his trust in the saving power of the Gospel grew strong and his hope of the heavenly home brighter, and with such a trust and hope he fell asleep to wake in the company of those who like him have lived in the faith. The funeral services were held at Blair’s Chapel conducted by Rev. S. W. Lee. Mrs. Blair and the family are very grateful to all those who were so kind and thoughtful during the sickness and burial of the husband and father. [George Jefferson Blair was buried in Blair Chapel Cemetery, St. Charles, Madison County, Iowa]