Thomas Henry Blair (abt. 1845 - 1926)

Born about 5 May 1845 in Orangeville, Dufferin Co., Ontario, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Augusta (Hamilton) Blair — married 28 Feb 1882 in Detroit, Michigan, United States

Died 9 Jul 1926 at about age 81 in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Fred Blair [send private message]

Biography

Thomas was born about 1845. He is the son of Andrew Blair and Frances Henry. He passed away in 1926. ^[1]

On May 5, 1845 (Dt), Thomas was born in Orangeville.

The 1861 Census, Chinguacousy Twp., Peel Co., recorded Thomas, 14, living with his uncle, John, 54, & aunt, Anne (Henry) Johnson, 48.

In 1865 (C), Thomas immigrated to the US.

On Mar. 5, 1867, Thomas received from his aunt Ann (Henry) Johnston’s will $259.17.

Thomas was probably living in Ontario during the 1871 Census but no record has been found.

Thomas was not found in the 1880 or 1881 Censuses.

Thomas later declared in census records that he had immigrated in 1880 to the US and became a citizen in 1881. The 1870 Census, Illinois recorded a Thomas Blair, 27, born about 1843 in Canada living in the household of James Davie.

On Feb. 28, 1882 (Reg. 1527), Thos. Henry Blair married Mary Augusta Hamilton in Detroit, Wayne Co. Michigan. Thomas was 34, born about 1848 in Canada and clerk of Chicago. Mary A. Hamilton was 28, of Detroit, and was recorded born on Nov. 19, 1854 in Morpeth, near Ridgetown, Chatham-Kent, Ontario on Paul’s birth registration. They were married by W.H. Poole of the M.E. Church and the witnesses were Thomas S. Wheatley and Geo. W. Riggs both of Detroit. No birth registration was found for Mary.

In 1883, Andrew was born. He died in 1890. (Unknown source, ancestry.com)

On Sept. 7, 1886 (Reg. 114986), Jarvis Henry was born at home at 209 Rush Street, 18th Ward, Chicago, Cook Co. He was the second child and his father was a salesman. Thomas was 38 and born in Bolton and Mary was 32 and born in Morpeth, Canada. The 1940 Census, Chicago, Illinois, recorded Jarvis H. Blair, 54, born in Illinois, single, employed as a salesman, and living with his brother Paul on Sheridan Rd. The 1942 World War II Draft Registration recorded Jarvis, 56, residing at 4246 Sheridan Rd., an apartment building in Chicago where he was employed at the Western Factory Ins. Assn. His next of kin was recorded as P.H. Blair at the same home address. In 1963, Jarvis was recorded living in Miami in his brother, Paul’s obituary. On Jan. 16, 1965 (Ob), Jarvis died in Miami, Florida. The Chicago Tribune reported that he had lived at 226 S.W. 5th Avenue. His funeral was in Chicago. His Social Security Number, 345-16-6449, was issued in Chicago before 1951.

On Feb. 24, 1888 (Reg. 4871), Paul Hamilton was born in Chicago. Thomas was 40 and Mary was 34 and born in Morpeth on Nov. 19, 1854. Paul was born at home at 82 Walton Place in Ward 18. Paul married Dorothy C. (Ob). The 1940 Census, Chicago, Illinois, recorded Paul H. Blair, 52, born in Illinois, divorced, employed as an engineer in a shipyard, and living with his brother Jarvis on Sheridan Rd. The 1942 World War II Draft Registration recorded Paul Hamilton, 50, born Feb. 24, 1892, living at 4246 Sheridan Rd. in an apartment building with his brother Jarvis. Paul was employed by the Calumet Shipyards and Drydock Co. at 9367 Harbor Ave. In 1955, Paul was recorded still at 4246 Sheridan Rd. in a Chicago reverse directory. In March 9, 1963, Paul H. died in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune reported that he had lived at 421 West Melrose St. Paul’s SSN was 322-16-7863 and was issued in Chicago before 1951.

On Nov. 11, 1890 (Reg. 1661), Randolph W. was born in Chicago. His father was 43, born in Albion, and a salesman. His mother was 36 and born in Ridgelton, Canada. This was Mary’s fourth child. He was born at home at 1174 North Hulsled in Ward 25.

On Nov. 11, 1890, (Reg. 888), Mary Augusta Blair died at 37 in childbirth in Chicago. Her birth place was recorded as Ridgetown. Mary was buried in Graceland Cemetery.

The 1900 Census, Chicago Ward 25, recorded Thomas, 58, born May 1842 in Canada, Irish, 1881 citizenship, a dry goods salesman, Jarvis, 13, born Sept. 1886 in Illinois, Paul, 12, born Feb. 1888 in Illinois, and Mary Odell, 35, housekeeper, born in Ireland.

The 1910 Census, Chicago Ward 25 transcript, recorded Thos. H. Blair, 55, born about 1855 in Canada, widowed, immigrated in 1880 in Illinois, Jarvis H., 21, born about 1889, and Paul H., 20, born about 1890 in Illinois, with both boy’s mother born in Canada.

The 1920 Census, Chicago Ward 23, recorded a Thomas Blair, 70, born about 1850 in Canada, single, in the household of Louis Mcginnis. He appears not to have married and to be too young for our Thomas.

On July 9, 1926 (Reg. rn 20285 transcript), Thomas died at 81 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Thomas had been a salesman and was buried in Graceland Cemetery. The Chicago Daily Tribune, July 10th recorded Thomas H. Blair as the beloved father of Jarvis H. and Paul H. Blair.

No more info is currently available for Thomas Blair. Can you add to his biography?

Sources

1. ↑ Entered by Fred Blair, Dec 8, 2011

• "Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQTN-RGX : 18 May 2016), Thomas Henry Blair in entry for Paul Hamilton Blair, 24 Feb 1888; Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States, reference/certificate 4871, Cook County Clerk, Cook County Courthouse, Chicago; FHL microfilm 1,287,874.
• "Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3N7-6ZH : 15 May 2018), Thos. Henry Blair and Mary A. Hamilton, 1882.
• "Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1878-1994," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLYT-8VV6 : 17 March 2018), Thomas H Blair, 09 Jul 1926; citing Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States, source reference , record number , Cook County Courthouse, Chicago; FHL microfilm .

• Fred Blair, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Fred and others.