JOHN THOMPSON ADAIR. |
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John Thompson Adair was born December 22, 1812, the son of
Walter Adair, a half-breed, and Rachel Thompson daughter of
William Thompson, a white man. John was born on Painter's
Creek, near Tulula Falls, and received his earliest education at the
neighborhood schools until his twentieth year, when he entered
the Lawrenceville Academy, Georgia, and there remained for five
months. On leaving that institution he entered a mercantile
house, and after serving his time to the business, purchased a
stock of goods in New Orleans in 1837, and with them proceeded
to the State line, or eastern border of the Cherokee Nation, near
Evansville, Arkansas, where he commenced business and carried
it on for two years. In 1843 he was elected associate judge
of the supreme court, and was re-elected every four years for a
term of thirty years. In 1853 he was sent to Washington as
National delegate, and therefor the first time met with Hon. Sam
Houston, Governor of Texas. At the outbreak of the war he
went to Eusk County, Texas, and while there disbanded twenty-seven slaves, which he had owned for many years. During his
absence of four years he was appointed an overseer of the negroes
in the vicinity where he resided. On his return to the Cherokee
Nation he was re-elected associate justice and held the office till
1877, being chief justice during the last term. In 1879 he was
appointed superintendent of the female seminary at Park Hill,
which office he held one term. Soon after his appointment had
expired, the building was consumed by fire, but, on its being
re-built, he was re-appointed in 1889 and again in the fall of 1891,
and will continue superintendent until the end of 1893. In 1887,
he was elected chairman of the court of citizenship for two years. In 1840 Mr. Adair married Miss Penelope Mayfield, daughter of
Jesse Mayfield, part French and Cherokee. The issue of this
marriage is Louvenia, Oscar Edward, Evarts, John Harrell,
Samuel and Houston. Mr. Adair has lived on his present place, and
beneath the same roof, for 54 years. He has a farm of 100 acres
of good land which is now rented out; while he, himself, has taken
up his abode at the national female academy. Mr Adair has over
400 acres of land near Henderson, Rusk County, Texas. Although
eighty years of age, the subject of our sketch does not look to be
over fifty-five. He is active and sprightly, with a fresh complexion and unwrinkled face. He is a gentleman of pleasant
address and is thought well of by everybody. [Since above was written, Mr. Adair took sick with la grippe* and died December 24, 1891, sincerely and deservedly regretted.] * Influenza |
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