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 ORTEZ B. O’HAIR, an energetic young business man of Fair Grange, is of Irish descent, his great-grandfather, Michael O’Hair, being a native of County Down, Ireland, who emigrated to America in Colonial times, and served in the Revolutionary War. At the close of the war he settled in Virginia, and subsequently in Montgomery County, Ky., where Michael O’Hair, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born, July 10, 1801. At an early age the latter moved to Morgan County, Ky., and was married, Nov. 16, 1820, to Miss Lucretia Boyles. In October, 1825, with his wife and two children, he made the long and wearisome journey to Illinois, riding 250 miles on horseback. Upon the 28th of the same month, with four horses, two of them heavily laden with pack-saddles, they reached their journey’s end, locating five miles south of Paris, Edgar County, on a farm which he owned at the time of his death. By his energy, decision of character and benevolence, he soon became well known to the early settlers of this county. He was twice elected Sheriff of the county, and held offices voted him by the people for over thirty years. He aided in building churches, schools, and many other valuable improvements. His house was very appropriately styled the “Preacher’s Tavern.” Jesse O’Hair, the father of our subject, was born March 28, 1828. and was married, Jan. 22, 1851, to Miss Ella Jane Swango, of Hazel Green, Ky. She was born Jan. 8, 1833, in Morgan County, Ky., and was the daughter of Abram Swango, and grand-daughter of Samuel Swango, of Virginia. Abram Swango was a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, and a veteran of the second war with England, in 1812. Jesse O’Hair is one of the oldest pioneers of Seven Hickory Township, having settled upon the farm where he now resides June 1, 1854. At that time the prairie was one vast wilderness, and the neighbors were few and many miles apart, but here, on the uncultivated prairie, he built his home. The household included seven children, whose record is as follows: Abram L., born Oct. 18, 1851, married Miss L. Sketon, of this county, and to them have been born three children—Arley, Stella and Elmer; W. C., born Aug. 16, 1857, is at home with his parents; Cortez Boon, the subject of our sketch, was born Jan. 30, 1860; Gallic, born May 24, 1863, was married to George W. Gaines, of Edgar County, Dec. 23, 1884, and departed this life. Aug. 9, 1885; Ron E. was born June 10, 1871; Stephen .and Laura E. died in infancy. Our subject is a native of this county, and spent his early years amidst the surroundings and disadvantages of a new country. Notwithstanding the limited advantages of the pioneer days he obtained a fair education at the district schools, and completed his studies at Enfield Academy. He then began to prepare for the more serious duties of life. He remained under the home roof until he reached his majority, working on a farm in the summer time and teaching school during the winter. In the spring of 1882 he was elected Town Clerk of Seven Hickory Township, and has since been elected four times. May 24, 1883, he was appointed Postmaster, and besides his official duties, Mr. O’Hair is engaged in general merchandising and also deals in grain and stock. February 26, 1884, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Craig, Rev. J. P. Tandy officiating. Miss Craig was born in this county Jane 20, 1860, and is the daughter of Robert and Angeline (Springer) Craig, natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Craig were the parents of four children: Laura, wife of I. H. Patterson, was born Nov. 8, 1856; William R., born April 2, 1858, married Miss Gertie Neeld, of New Albany, Ind.; Joseph Edward, born Feb. 13, 1866. Mr. Craig departed this life in Coles County, Nov. 14, 1866, and Mrs. C. was subsequently married to Joseph M. Story, of St. Joseph, Mo., who died Feb. 26, 1882. By her second husband there were seven children January, Lucy, Ernma, John, Minnie, Erwin and Nellie. The children of our subject and wife are: Grover, born Jan. 10, 1885, and Cleveland, March 18, 1886. Thus it will be seen that the boys of Mr, O’Hair serve to perpetuate the full name of the President, Grover Cleveland. |
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