J. F. ADAIR

J. F. Adair, cashier of the West Branch State Bank, in the successful control of which his labors constitute an important element, was born in Graham township, Johnson county, Iowa, April 24, 1868. His father, Samuel F. Adair, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, born July 24, 1838, a son of James and Lydia (Miller) Adair, who were natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born near Philadelphia and the latter in Lancaster county. James Adair died in the Keystone state, while his wife passed away in Ohio. They were farming people and had a family of thirteen children, but only one is now living. Samuel F. Adair was the twelfth in order of birth. His brother William served as a solider in the Eleventh Indiana Infantry under General Wallace and in the Fifteenth Indiana Battery, doing active duty at the front for four years.

Samuel F. Adair was reared upon the home farm in his native county until 1854, when he went to Wayne county, Ohio, where he spent a year and a half in farming in connection with an uncle. In the winter of 1856-57 he arrived in Johnson county, Iowa, settling near Oasis, where he continued until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In September, 1861, he responded to the country’s call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company B, Fourteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which later became the Seventh Iowa Cavalry. He served for three years and took part in all the engagements of his regiment, doing active duty on the frontier against the Indians. When the war was over he returned to Johnson county, where he engaged in farming for a few years, at the end of which time he bought a farm three miles north of West Branch in Gower township. There he carried on the work of tilling the soil until 1869, when he sold that property and went to California, where he followed farming for two and a half years. He next located in Oasis, Iowa, where he carried on merchandising for four years, at the end of which time he removed to Cedar county and again took up farming. After twenty-six years he sold that property and came to West Branch. He also spent three years in North Dakota, where he secured a homestead claim, which he still owns. He has resided in West Branch since 1907 and has now retired from active business life, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. He has served as constable and as township supervisor and has ever been deeply interested in the political questions and issues of the day, giving his support to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In 1858 Samuel F. Adair was united in marriage to Miss Susan Hawley, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and died in California in 1872. The children of that marriage were four in number: Mary, now the wife of O. M. Colip, of North Dakota; J. F., whose name introduces this review; Charles, who is living in Spokane, Washington; and Martha, who died in infancy. In 1873 Samuel F. Adair was again married, his second union being with Sarah Harrison, a native of England, who came to Iowa with her parents when about five years of age. There is one child of this marriage, Fred, who is now living in North Dakota.

J. F. Adair was born in Graham township, Johnson county, Iowa, April 24, 1868, and was only a year old when his parents removed to California, settling in Lake county. There they lived for five years and following the mother’s death returned to Cedar county, Iowa. At that time the family home was established in West Branch, where J. F. Adair has since resided. He acquired a high-school education and also attended the Iowa City Commercial College. He became a railroad telegraph operator and for two years was thus connected with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. On the 1st of January, 1898, he became connected with the West Branch State Bank as bookkeeper, which position he occupied for seven years, at the end of which time he was promoted to cashier and has since acted in that capacity. The success of the bank is due in no small measure to his efforts, for he is most loyal to its interests and does everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its success.

On the 19th of June, 1895, Mr. Adair was united in marriage to Miss Alice L. Kerr, who was born in Ohio, April 2, 1875, and in her early childhood came to Iowa with her parents, Servantes and Hannah (Baldwin) Kerr. Her father is now deceased but her mother is living in Chicago. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adair have been born two children, Rex S. and Kenneth.

Mr. Adair belongs to Wapsinoc Lodge, No. 181, A.F. & A. M., and to West Branch chapter, R. A. M. of West Liberty. He is also connected with both the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at West Branch and to the encampment at West Liberty. He is likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen of America camp at West Branch and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he has served as a central committeeman and as town clerk for two terms. He is now filling the position of town treasurer, which office he has occupied for four terms. He is never remiss in the duties of citizenship but, on the contrary, fully meets every obligation that devolves upon him whether in public or private life.