BLAIR, WILLIAM. - As is the case of many of the best farmers and best citizens of whom the chapters of this volume bear record, William Blair, a farmer, who is favorably known throughout the vicinity of his home in Chandlerville, Cass County, is of Irish paternity. His father, Hugh Blair, who was born in Ireland in 1843, was one of the early settlers of this region, and worked six years for Dr. Chandler in a packing house, which once stood on the site where Chandlerville now is located. The mother, Mrs. Susan (Cowan) Blair, who still survives, and is a resident of Chandlerville, was born in North Carolina, September 17, 1841. Hugh Blair started farming land belonging to Dr. Chandler and several years afterwards bought land in Richland Precinct, in the same county, to which he added from time to time by other purchases. Thus he finally acquired 200 acres, which he later sold, retiring then to Chandlerville, where he died June 20, 1913. The children of Hugh and Susan (Cowan) Blair were as follows: David, of Easton, Ill.; William; Mary, now Mrs. Clinton Pasley, of Girard, Ill.; Samuel, of Cass County; John, deceased; George, Harry and Louis, all of Chandlerville; and Lee, a teacher in the high school at Havana, Ill.

William Blair was born in Richmond Precinct, Cass County, Ill., February 17, 1864, and in boyhood attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and remained on the home farm in that vicinity until the time of his marriage. On April 14, 1889, he was wedded to Henrietta Davis, born December 26, 1866, in Fulton County, Ill., a daughter of Ralston and Susan (Martin) Davis, the former a native of Wisconsin, and the latter of Fulton County, both now deceased. Following his marriage, Mr. Blair made his home in Chandlerville Precinct, and in July, 1909, bought 131 acres in section 18, township 18, range 9, together with eleven acres in section 20 of the same township. He is engaged in general farming, and also raises horses, cattle, mules and hogs. Mr. Blair and his wife have two children, namely: Otis E., of Chandlerville, Ill., a veterinary surgeon; and Edgar T., of Champaign, Ill., a medical student. Politically William Blair is a member of the Democratic party, and has served as school director since 1904. He is identified with the Court of Honor and the Banker's Life Company.