William H. Blair
Submitted by Rebecca (Blair)

William H. Blair b. 30 May 1841 Vermont d. 8 April 1910 West Plains, Missouri. He is buried Oak Lawn Cem., West Plains, Missouri married (1) ? (2) 23 Dec. 1890 to Mary Catherine Beckley b. 6 May 1866 Ohio d. 8 Nov. 1949 buried Oak Lawn Cem. West Plains, Missouri

The original discharge paper for Wm H. Blair states:
To whom it may concern
William Blair enlisted in Co.A, 98th regiment of NY Infantry Volunteers on the 18th of Jan. 1862 for a term of 3 yrs and was discharged the 18th of Jan. 1865 at Chaffins Farm, Virginia. Said Wm. Blair was born in the State of Vermont, is 24 yrs. of age"..and by occupation when enrolled, a farmer. signed by
Service record: Promoted to Full Corporal. Enlisted as a privat on 18 January 1862 Malone, NY at the age of 21. Enlisted in company A, 98th Infantry Regiment New York on 18 January 1862. Was wounded on 29 September 1864. Discharged on 18 January 1865.Source: New York - Report of the Adjutant-General. (NY Roster) published in 1894-1906. From 1910 newspaper: William Blair Dead. End Comes To Well Known West Plains Citizen. He Lost His Speech From a Cancer in His Throat and Suffered Much in the Last Days

After months of suffering from a cancer in his throat, which prevented nourishment and destroyed his speech, William Blair, one of the best known citizens of West Plains, passed away at 6 o"clock last Friday evening. He was aged 68 years, two months and 8 days, and leaves a wife and son, seven years old, to mourn his death.

Mr. Blair has been a familiar figure about West Plains for the last twelve or thirteen years. He came here in 1897 from Kansas City and for a time resided on a farm on the Bakersfield road, three miles southwest of town. When he sold the place he moved to this city. He was elected police judge and had the distinction of being the first police judge of West Plains. Afterwards he became janitor of the sounty court house and held the position until physical disabilites forced him to remain at home. He was a faithful public servant and all who knew him were his friends.

During the many years Mr. Blair resided in Kansas City he was one of the best known men in the metropolis at the mouth of the Kaw. From 1885 to 1887 he was a member of the police force and retired from duty in that year to take charge of the eight men stationed at the Junction to guard against accidents on the cable roads. At that time three lines of cable railway centered at the Junction, Kansas City"s busiest point. For five years Mr. Blair never missed a day, working seven days in the week, and during that time he modestly laid claim to having saved over a thousand lives.

Mr. Blair was a Union veteran, having served his country"s cause with devotion. Only two weeks ago congress passed a special pension bill increasing his pension as a reward for meritorious service. Mr. Blair also was a member of Mt.Zion Lodge No.327 A.F.& A.M. of this city.

The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev.A.M. Livingston. It was Mr.Blair"s request that the pastor use for a text, the subject "I Am That I Am," signifying that Mr. Blair was always what he was. The funeral services at the grave were conducted by the Masonic fraternity and the intermeat was in the Masonic cemetery.

According to the 1900 census for Howell twp. Howell Co., Missouri William Blair & wife Mary C. where living there at the time.

An interesting fact " Mary C. Blair from Missouri filed as widow and gaurdian (for Francis Preston b. 3 Oct. 1902 West Plains, Missouri and d. 1978 Iowa, the only know child to this marriage) for the pension of Wm Blair Co. A 98th Reg. NY Inf. However, a Sarah M. Blair, Vermont, filed for the same pension benefits of Wm Blair Co.A 98th reg. NY Inf - as his widow. Conflict is stated on the side of the registration.

See photos of William H. Blair and Family

Rebecca (Blair)

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