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JIM: J.C. Blair, Adair Countian re-settled in Iowa twice

The check found at the Bowe Property on Bomar Heights, Columbia, Adair County, KY, has elicited quite a response. In this column, JIM has done a great deal of research on the who J.C. Blair was, about his two moves to Calhoun County,Iowa and his times in Adair County, and his final resting place and his wife's final resting places in Rockwell City, IOWA, the county seat of Calhoun County.
Related: Artifact/Archaelogical Find by Larry Reliford/LR Dozing

By JIM

The J.C. Blair who signed the check possibly was Joseph (or Josephus) Chessar Blair, late of Adair County. He and his wife, Nancy Ellen, first moved to Iowa in early 1917 with several of their offspring.



Very shortly before their return to Adair County, another son, Estill, second oldest of the seven children, died at Camp Cody, New Mexico, while on active duty with Company B, 109 Engineering, U.S. Army.

Nancy's father, Abraham Brown of the Pellyton section, died while they were en route back to Adair County in December 1917, the day after Estill's passing, and when they arrived home, it was to discover their farm dwelling had recently been consumed by fire.

For about a year, the family remained in Garlin where Mr. Blair farmed and apparently co-owned a store in the Garlin community, as newsletter from there in the May 28, 1919 News reported that "Blair & Ellis are doing a fine business at this place," while a later paid announcement stated Mr. Blair lived in Iowa. A notice of public sale signed by J.C. Blair in the January 7, 1920 paper stated he would sell livestock. corn, hay, fodder. oats, farm equipment, and "House hold goods and Kitchen furniture."

A few weeks later, the Garlin letter mentioned that "Mr. J.C. Blair and family left for Iowa on the 23rd of January and are now located at Rockwell City, Iowa." It went on to say he had rented a 380 acre farm and was "well pleased with the land."

In 1930 and 1940. Mr. and Mrs. Blair lived in Lake City, Iowa, and it was there their remains were laid to rest after both died in 1953. All the towns Iowa towns mentioned -- Rockwell City, Lake City, and Lohrville -- lie within the metes and bounds of Calhoun County, in the west-central part of the state. Traveling via modern-day Rte. 175, Lohrville is 9.3 miles / 10 minutes due east of Lake City.

To whom the check was written remains a mystery to these rheumy old eyes and foggy brain. - JIM


This story was posted on 2018-09-01 06:07:29
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