GEORGE W. BLAIR

George W. Blair, an extensive real-estate dealer in Lamoni, is also mayor of the town and is a prominent and highly esteemed resident thereof. He was born in Lee county, Illinois, on the 22d of September, 1856, a son of the late W. W. Blair, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

George W. Blair remained in Illinois until February, 1880, when he was married to Miss Jeannette Haymond, of Sandwich, Illinois, but following that even he removed to Lamoni, Iowa, arriving here in March. He resided upon a farm in Decatur county for about eight years and then took up his residence in Lamoni, where he was engaged in the mercantile business with his father, his brother William, and Thomas Bell, the name of the firm being Blair & Bell. Under Cleveland’s administration Mr. Blair of this review was appointed postmaster and served in that office until February, 1900. Upon the close of his tenure of office he went to Kellerton, Iowa, and for eight years was cashier of the Ringgold Savings Bank, proving an able and progressive financier. He then returned to Lamoni and took charge of the real-estate department of the State Savings Bank and still holds that position. He understands local conditions thoroughly and keeps in touch with the property upon the market and he has negotiated many important realty transfers. Since the organization of the State Savings Bank he has served as a director and stockholder of the institution and has also been a member of the auditing committee for a number of years. In the spring of 1912 he was elected mayor of Lamoni and in 1914 was reelected to that position, his services having proved very satisfactory to his fellow townsmen. He has been identified with all forward movements in Lamoni since taking up his residence in the city and as mayor has been able to accomplish much for the public welfare.

To Mr. And Mrs. Blair have been born a son and two daughters, namely: Wallace H., who married Lulu Gillen and who is editor of the Lamoni Chronicle; Mrs. E. G. Younker, of Washington, D. C.; and Mrs. B. W. Hart, of Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Hart is engaged in the insurance business, in which he is meeting with a gratifying measure of prosperity. To him and his wife has been born a son. Mr. Younker is president of the Sanitary Grocery Company, which operates forty-two grocery stores in the city of Washington and he is one of the leaders in the business circles of that city.

Mr. Blair has voted the democratic ticket since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has taken an active part in local politics, having held a number of other offices in addition to the office of mayor. In 1892 he was the democratic candidate for sheriff and was defeated by but sixteen votes, although the normal republican majority at that time was almost six hundred. Although his home township was republican by a large majority his personal popularity was such that he polled all but twenty-three votes in that township. Fraternally he is associated with the Independence Order of Odd Fellows and both he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. His son is a Knight of Pythias. He is energetic and progressive and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, whether it be some plan for the extension of his business interests or some project for the betterment of his community.