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Thomas Henry Bair (1844 - abt. 1915)

Thomas Henry Bair
Born in Madison, Arkansas, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 1876 in California, USAmap
Husband of — married 1886 [location unknown]
[children unknown]
Died about at about age 70 in Arcata, Humboldt, California, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 10 Aug 2013
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Contents

Biography

Residence

Residence:
Date: 1910
Place: Union, Humboldt, California, USA[1]
Residence:
Date: 1900
Place: Arcata, Humboldt, California, USA[2]
Residence:
Date: 1850
Place: War Eagle Township, Madison, Arkansas, USA[3]
Note N692On April 15, 1855, a wagon train left from Berryville headed to California. They had ten ox teams and 300 head of cattle. The wagon train included Hill C. Daugherty and his second wife and eight children, as well as his nephew, Thomas Henry Bear. Captain Hill and another man in the party rode ahead each day to select the camping spot for the night. They traveled up the Arkansas and Platte Rivers. There were about 30 men in the party. A newspaper article from the 1907 CHICO RECORD, a California publication, tells the story of this trip, including their encounter with the Sioux Indians near the Platte River. The story is based on the memories of Catherine Daugherty Bradley, daughter of Hill. In 2010, a biography of Thomas Henry Bair was discovered in a California history book that was published in 1903. The book is now available on Google Books. Previously, nothing had been known about the third child of Hugh and Margaret Bear, beyond his listing on the 1850 census. This biography explains the relationship between the McCuistions and McChristians of Madison County Arkansas. The discovery of this item was a great break-through in this family history. A HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA: ITS RESOURCES AND PEOPLE, Volume 2- By Leigh Hadley Irvine -1903- THOMAS BAIR. Figuring prominently in financial, industrial and agricultural interests in Humboldt county, Thomas Bair, the president of the Bank of Arcata, is widely and favorably known in his section of the state. He makes his home in Arcata and is a native of Arkansas, his birth having occurred in Madison county in 1844. He is a son of Hugh and Martha (McChristian) Bair. The father was a native of Ohio and the mother of Tennessee, and the former was a farmer by occupation. Both he and his wife, however, died during the early boyhood of their son Thomas. The latter was educated in the public schools of Madison county, Arkansas, although his advantages in that direction were somewhat limited. In 1855 he came to California with his uncle. Hill Doherty. Who settled in Shasta county. Mr. Bair then started out in life for himself at the early age of eleven years. He went to Trinity county, where he obtained employment in the mercantile establishment of Charles Stanhope, but two years later he went to Red Bluff, where he was employed by a freighting company, operating to the mines in Siskiyou and Trinity counties. Realizing his need of better education he attended the public schools of Red Bluff. From 1863 until 1866 he was in Idaho, Montana and British Columbia, and in 1867 he came to Humboldt county and established a pack mule freight line from Arcata to Trinity and Siskiyou counties. After several years he became a post trader at Fort Gaston, Hnmboldt county, on the Hoopa Valley Indian reservation, where for sixteen years he conducted a mercantile freighting and transportation business for the United States government. In 1892 he sold out his interests and has since devoted his attention to other business activities. In 1887 he had established the Bank of Arcata and was elected its president, in which capacity he has since served, and as the head of its interests has so directed his efforts as to make it one of the leading financial enterprises of the county, now doing a successful and extensive general Banking business. During this time Mr. Bair has also purchased timber lands, farm lands and stock ranches, and has carried on an extensive dairy business. He is the president of the Redwood Land & Investment Company, which is capitalized for two hundred thousand dollars, and is the president of the Eureka water-works. In 1876 occurred the marriage of Mr. Bair and Miss Alice Boyce, a native of Michigan, and to them were born three children: Hugh, now deceased: Thomas; and Fred. In 1882 Airs. Bair passed away, and in 1886 Mr. Bair was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Stone, a native of Illinois. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and in politics is a Democrat. He certainly deserves great credit for the success he has achieved. For starting out in life at the early age of eleven years without capital or the assistance of influential friends, he has steadily worked his way upward and has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. He is always courteous, kindly and affable, and those who know him personally have for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business, from the beginning of his residence in California, was uniform and rapid. As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early opportunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character; and this is what Mr. Bair has done. He has persevered in the pursuit of a persistent purpose and gained the most satisfactory reward. His life is exemplary in all respects, and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to uplift and benefit humanity, while his own high moral worth is deserving of the highest commendation. A letter found on the McCuistion webpage adds to what is known about the Bear children. The letter is from Thomas' uncle, Hill Daugherty, written from Shasta California back to his daughter Polly Skaggs in Madison County, Arkansas. The letter is dated December 1855. It describes their trip out to California taking cattle with them. He mentions crossing the plains. It is easy to imagine a wagon train moving along, and driving cattle with them as they go. He mentions that Henry Bear is with the pack trains and doing well. Apparently, Thomas Henry was know as Henry in his early years, and Thomas later in life. The letter also asks where Jane's children are? This is a reference to the rest of Hugh and Margaret Jane (McChristian) Bare/Bear children. A second biography has been found on USGENWEB for Humboldt Co., California. This biography was written a few years later and provides a few more details. HISTORY OF HUMBOLDT COUNTY CALIFORNIA WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE LEADING MEN AND WOMEN OF THE COUNTY WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED WITH ITS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT FROM THE EARLY DAYS TO THE PRESENT- History by Leigh H. Irvine -Historic Record Company Los Angeles, California 1915 THOMAS BAIR—Without doubt one of the most notably successful residents of his section of Humboldt county is Thomas Bair, president of the Bank of Arcata and one of the most extensive land owners in northern California. His achievements are the more remarkable in view of the fact that he commenced the struggle of life unaided, and he deserves all the good fortune that has crowned his efforts. A resident of the state since 1855, his early experiences here brought him into contact with some of the most typical phases of its pioneer days, the arduous labor of transportation before railroad and shipping facilities were developed, picturesque customs and dangerous callings, most of which are now but memories and live only in the history of olden times.' Mr. Bair's holdings of timber and agricultural lands comprise thousands of acres and these and the bank constitute his principal interests. Mr. Bair's father, Hugh F. Bair, was born in Ohio and for a number of years was engaged in farming in Arkansas, where he died when forty years old. His wife survived but a few months longer and Thomas Bair was thus fully orphaned when but nine years of age. Born September 26, 1844, in Madison county, Ark., he was a boy of eleven years when he crossed the plains with his uncle, who settled in Shasta county, Cal. Only a month later he commenced to make his own living, hiring out to a merchant who was engaged in freighting on the Trinity river. His youth might have seemed a drawback to his usefulness, but he rode the bell horse of a mule train which packed through the mining districts in the mountains of northern California. Liking the work, he continued at it, and was economical with his earnings, so that by 1863 he had saved enough to buy a small mule train and for the next three years he did freighting on his own account in Montana and Idaho. Selling out, he came to Arcata, Humboldt county, in 1867, and became superintendent of the packing train owned by a merchant of the town, who carried on several branch stores at various points in the mining districts. He was thus engaged for five years, at the end of which time he had accumulated enough to buy the train and soon afterward he also became interested in general merchandising, having purchased the stock of goods kept in the general store at Fort Gaston, on the Hoopa Indian reservation. It was about this time that he was appointed a government post trader, and for the next sixteen years acted in that capacity and carried on a general mercantile business at Fort Gaston. He also owned about two hundred mules, which he used in transporting his merchandise from Arcata to the fort, forty miles distant, in packing government supplies and in freighting all over the northern part of the state. Mr. Bair discontinued his interests at Fort Gaston when the fort was abandoned. During the time he was in business at the Indian post Mr. Bair established his home at Arcata, of which town he is still a resident. He had been interested in founding the Bank of Arcata, which was organized with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, and he has been president from the beginning; directing its affairs to the entire satisfaction of all the stockholders and in such manner as to win the confidence of the townspeople interested in its conduct. Mr. Bair's financial ability and judgment have been tested in many transactions. Though progressive, keeping thoroughly abreast of the spirit of the times, he is conservative of the bank's resources and most of the loans are made on first mortgages, with the depositors' money protected to the utmost. His success in the management of this institution has gained him an honorable position among the best financiers of the county and his influence in preserving high standards and encouraging safe methods of banking has been a recognized factor in the adoption of such measures as safeguard the interests of depositors and inspire their trust. In common with most investors in Humboldt county lands Mr. Bair has acquired interests in the redwood timber region. He took a leading part in the organization of the Redwood Land & Investment Company of Eureka, was elected its first president, and continued to hold the position for a number of years, the company under his supervision making extensive investments in redwood lands in Humboldt county., His agricultural property includes two valuable ranches on the Arcata bottoms, near the town. Mr. Bair has always devoted himself closely to the care of his business affairs, and though he has always worked hard he has retained his mental and physical vigor unimpaired. He has never aspired to public honors or taken any active part in public life, or in politics beyond the casting of his vote, with which he supports the Democratic party. Of domestic habits and unassuming disposition, he finds his greatest pleasure, outside of work, in his home. Mr. Bair was a charter member of North Star Lodge No. 39, Knights of Pythias, in which he still retains his membership. Bair married Miss Alice Boyce, who was born in Michigan and died, leaving two sons, Thomas H. and Frederick. His second marriage was to Miss Mary F. Stone, a native of Illinois. The sons have the management of their father's immense stock ranch in Humboldt county, about thirty thousand acres of valuable land. An interesting biography of Thomas Bair's grandson, Tom Bair, gives some more insight into this family, and is included.

Sources

  1. Source: #S59 Page: Year: 1910; Census Place: Union, Humboldt, California; Roll: T624_77; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 29; Image: 1506. Data: Text: Birth date: abt 1848 CONT Birth place: Arkansas CONT Residence date: 1910 CONT Residence place: Union, Humboldt, California Object: @M2325@
  2. Source: #S60 Page: Year: 1900; Census Place: Arcata, Humboldt, California; Roll: T623_87; Page: 9B; Enumeration District: 40. Data: Text: Birth date: Sep 1844 CONT Birth place: Arkansas CONT Marriage date: 1886 CONT Marriage place: CONT Residence date: 1900 CONT Residence place: Arcata, Humboldt, California Object: @M1532@
  3. Source: #S65 Page: Year: 1850; Census Place: War Eagle, Madison, Arkansas; Roll: M432_27; Page: 296A; Image: . Data: Text: Birth date: abt 1843 CONT Birth place: Arkansas CONT Residence date: 1850 CONT Residence place: War Eagle, Madison, Arkansas Object: @M1050@
  • "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M678-K7M : 12 April 2016), Henry Bare in household of Hugh Bare, War Eagle, Madison, Arkansas, United States; citing family 665, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
  • "California Great Registers, 1866-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNFG-23T : 8 December 2017), Thomas Bair, 10 Oct 1892; citing Voter Registration, Arcata 1, Humboldt, California, United States, county clerk offices, California; FHL microfilm 976,465.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Gayle Schell for creating WikiTree profile Bair-111 through the import of SCHELL NICHOLS ancestors of Gayle 8-2013.ged on Aug 8, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Gayle and others.






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It may be possible to confirm family relationships with Thomas Henry by comparing test results with other carriers of his ancestors' Y-chromosome or mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with Thomas Henry:

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