Jesse BLAIR of Clay Co., IL: biography
JESSE BLAIR, farmer, P. O. Hord, is another decendant of one of our old
pioneer families in Blair Township.He is a son of Josiah Blair, who was a
native of Hawkins County, Tenn.He, Josiah Blair, was married twice; his
first wife, Hattie (Ray) Blair, was a native of Indiana, where she died.
She was the mother of five children--George, Nancy Eytchison, John, Jesse,
our subject, and Jemima Redman.His second wife, Lavina Westmoreland, whom
he married in Indiana, and with whom he came to this county, was the mother
of the following children--Manley, William, Alfred, Josiah, and Hailey are
now dead, Manley and Josiah dying while in the army.The following are yet
living: James H., Henry C., Harrison, Louisa Williams, Lavina E., Elizabeth
Rexrode and Sarah J., wife of Dr. Gladson.Josiah Blair died in this county
in 1865.Mrs. Lavina Blair died several years after her husband's demise.
The grandfather of our subject was Robert Blair, whose wife's maiden name
was Bean; they came here in 1837, and died here.Our subject, Jesse Blair,
received only three months' schooling, which was obtained from William Laws
in a log schoolhouse, but not learning to write till he was twenty-one years
old.He came to this county with his father in the spring of 1837, and
spent his youth in cultivating the virgin soil of Blair Township, which was
named in honor of his father and uncles.In 1855, Jesse Blair bought forty
acres of land, for which he paid $325.He now owns 200 acres of good land.
Mr. Blair has been married twice.His first wife, Polly A. Edwards, was a
daughter of William Edwards, an old pioneer, who is yet living in this
county.She was born in Indiana, and died here.His present wife, who was
Mrs. Mary Hodge, a widow lady at time of marriage, is a daughter of William
and Frances Jordan, both natives of North Carolina.Mrs. Blair, a native of
Indiana, and is the mother of A. E. Hodge, a son of her first husband.Mr.
and Mrs. Blair are connected with the Christian Church, sometimes called
New-Lights.Mr. Blair enjoys the respect of the community in which he
resides, having served the people therein as Constable seven years, and
Justice of the Peace seven years; votes the Republican ticket.(pages
272--273 of the HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY ILLINOIS, VOLUME 1)