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William John Blair

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William John Blair

Birth	:	8 Aug 1856 Venango County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death	:	16 Feb 1915
Burial	:	Dawson Cemetery, Linwood, Butler County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.4146996, -96.9546967
Description	:	Suggested edit: WILLIAM JOHN BLAIR.--There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored gentleman whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears impress of the historical annals of the state of Nebraska from the earliest pioneer days, and from the fact that he has attained to a position of prominence in the thriving little city of Linwood, Butler county, where he has made his home almost constantly since he was two years of age. Mr. Blair was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1856, and is a son of James and Mary A. (Brown)... Read More	Suggested edit: WILLIAM JOHN BLAIR.--There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored gentleman whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears impress of the historical annals of the state of Nebraska from the earliest pioneer days, and from the fact that he has attained to a position of prominence in the thriving little city of Linwood, Butler county, where he has made his home almost constantly since he was two years of age. Mr. Blair was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1856, and is a son of James and Mary A. (Brown) Blair, the former also a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of county Tyrone, Ireland, where she grew to womanhood. The paternal grandfather, John Blair, was one of three brothers who came to this country from Ireland at an early day, and one located in New York, another in New Jersey, and John in Pennsylvania. The last named reared three sons--Robert, now a ranchman and mine owner in Arizona; James, the father of our subject; and William who was killed in the Civil war. In 1857 James Blair, with his family, left Pennsylvania intending to go to Kansas, but on reaching Liberty Landing; Missouri, he found that the border ruffians were making things a little too unpleasant in Kansas for peaceably inclined people. After staying for a time at Liberty Landing, he came up the river to Nebraska City, and from there proceeded to the site of the present village of Linwood, where he located in 1858, being the oldest settler of Butler county. The family lived in a dug-out on the bank of Skull creek, and raised their first crop on the squaw patches along that stream. The first year of their residence here there were five thousand Pawnee Indians camped in the neighborhood, and the father had many thrilling experiences with the red men. At one time he hired two squaws to gather pumpkins, agreeing to pay them each four pumpkins. They disputed among themselves about the division of the pay, and when Mr. Blair insisted on a fair division this angered the Indians and they determined to kill him that night. He heard of their intention, however, through a friendly Indian, "Little Billy", and so was prepared. When they arrived that night the big Indian chief told the braves that if they killed the white man there would be trouble as there were many other white men who would come and revenge his death. Of a brave and fearless disposition, nothing could frighten him, and he finally persuaded them to abandon their purpose. They afterwards became very friendly and greatly admired his shooting qualities. For a year Mr. Blair conducted a ranch north of Kearney, on the old Mormon trail, but at the end of that time returned to this section of the state and in 1868 leased the Shinn ferry, which he operated for two years while he made his home on Shinn's island. Reared in this wild, unsettled region, William J. Blair had no opportunity of attending school until after he was thirteen years old. The first school here was taught by Mrs. S. D. Shinn, who was a well educated woman, whom the settlers hired to teach a term of ten weeks in her own home. Although his educational advantages were very meager, Mr. Blair made the most of them and improved every opportunity. Soon after he attained his majority he entered Doane College, at Crete, Nebraska, and for many years afterward successfully engaged in teaching during the winter months, while he followed farming through the summer season. In July, 1887, he was appointed manager of the Platte Valley Grain & Lumber Co., at Linwood, which position he held for two years, when Blair & Co. succeeded to the interests of that firm, and later sold to the Trans-Mississippi Grain Co. He is also manager of the Edholm elevator and owns a fine farm in Bone Creek township. As a business man he is notably prompt and reliable, and commands the -confidence, of all with whom he has dealings. Mr. Blair was married, March 16, 1884, to Miss Rhoda M. Perkins, a daughter of E. M. Perkins. Prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching, having acquired an excellent education in Doane College and the Baptist Seminary at Gibbon. One son has been born to this union: Robert R. Blair. A group portrait of this interesting family is presented in connection with this sketch. Mr. Blair has always been prominent in political circles, is an ardent Republican, and has been a delegate to all of the county and district conventions of his party since attaining his majority. At one time he was candidate for county clerk on the Republican ticket, but was defeated. Fraternally he is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Woodmen of the World, and the Tribe of Ben Hur, while religiously he is a member of the Congregational church. He was appointed postmaster at Linwood, June 16, 1898. SOURCE: "Memorial and Biographical Record .... Butler, Polk, Seward, York and Fillmore Counties", Geo. A. Ogle & Co, Chicago, 1899 http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/resources/OLLibrary/mbrcd/pages/mbrd1011.htm#wjblair Contributor: janicet (47361005)

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William John Blair's memorial?
William John Blair's memorial is located at: Dawson Cemetery, Linwood, Butler County, USA.
When did William John Blair death?
William John Blair death on 16 Feb 1915 in
Where are the coordinates of the William John Blair's memorial?
Latitude: 41.4146996
Longitude: -96.9546967

Family Members:

Spouse

Rhoda Maude Perkins Blair

(1862 - 1940)

Children

Robert Roy Blair

(1884 - 1936)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Dawson Cemetery
Linwood, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4146996, -96.9546967

2. Saint Marys Cemetery
Linwood, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3932991, -96.9272003

3. Linwood Hill Cemetery
Linwood, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3936005, -96.9253006

4. Nimburg Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3694000, -96.9467010

5. Edholm Valley Cemetery
Edholm, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3965000, -97.0406000

6. Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery
Abie, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3450012, -96.9488983

7. Bohemian National Cemetery
Abie, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3367004, -96.9460983

8. Schuyler Cemetery
Schuyler, Colfax County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4431000, -97.0738983

9. Czech National Cemetery
Morse Bluff, Saunders County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4275017, -96.8238983

10. Holy Cross Cemetery
Schuyler, Colfax County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4775009, -97.0678024

11. Grandview Cemetery
Colfax County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5182991, -97.0017014

12. Sacred Heart Cemetery
Morse Bluff, Saunders County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3996000, -96.8064000

13. Purple Cane Cemetery
North Bend, Dodge County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5244598, -96.8915787

14. Saint Benedict Mission Cemetery
Colfax County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5109400, -97.0500900

15. Bohemian Cemetery
Bruno, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2933006, -96.9431000

16. Millar-Sloss Pioneer Cemetery
North Bend, Dodge County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4579500, -96.7902500

17. Vavak Family Plot
Prague, Saunders County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3062200, -96.8570600

18. Willow Creek Cemetery
Prague, Saunders County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3367004, -96.8133011

19. Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery
Appleton, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2922000, -97.0396000

20. Prague Presbyterian Cemetery
Prague, Saunders County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2970000, -96.8515000

21. Saint Anthony Cemetery
Bruno, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2743988, -96.9869003

22. Saint John Cemetery
Prague, Saunders County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3147011, -96.8024979

23. Woodland Cemetery
North Bend, Dodge County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4789009, -96.7686005

24. Bohemian National Cemetery
Prague, Saunders County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3106003, -96.7996979