William Blair, Sr., died at the family residence in this city last night at 11:35 o'clock, aged 78 years, 8 months and 23 days.

The funeral will take place from the M.E. church tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 15, at 2 o'clock p.m. with interment at Oakwood cemetery.

He was born in Cape Cirardeau, Mo., Dec. 21, 1820. He was a son of Francis BLAIR, a native of Georigia, who went to Missouri in 1805, when there were only 14 families between Cape Girardeau and Jackson, and afterwards married Jennie MASSEY who was born in Lincoln county, N.C.

He helped to build the first church west of the Mississippi river.

The deceased was married to Mary J. CRAIN, Feb. 1, 1844, in Missouri, and in 1845 came to Illiniois and located at Nashville, where he followed his trade as stone and brick mason.

In 1872 he moved his family to Mt. Vernon, and in later years retired to private life.

The result of the marriage was five sons, James R., Trainmaster Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific R.R., and located in Kansas City, Mo.; Thomas L., who was a bridge carpenter, and who died Nov. 24, 1897; William C., State's attorney for Jefferson county; Frances G., now occupying the chair of Pedagogy in the Charleston College, Charleston, Ill.; and George W., who was formerly pricipal of the West Side schools of this city, who died Dec. 20, 1896, and four daughters, Mrs. Nancy J. PARKER and Mrs. Sallie E. LOVE of this city; Mrs. Lina PIERCE and Mrs. Minnie PHILLIPS, who also live in this county. His wife survives him.

The deceased joined the M.E. church, in 1840 at Perryville, Mo, and lived a faithful Christian life. He died Sept. 13, 1899.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: September 14, 1899
Submitted By: Sharlet Bigham LaBarbera