My Genealogy Hound

E. F. BLAIR, dealer in hardware, and manufacturer and dealer in tinware, Georgetown, was born at Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio, November 4, 1829. His father was Brice R. Blair, a native of Tennessee, and a cabinet-maker by trade. He resided at Cincinnati during early life, and while a citizen of Batavia was an Elder in the First Congregational Church, under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Beecher, a brother of the great Brooklyn divine. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Ezekiel Dimmett, an early pioneer of Clermont County. She departed this life in 1852, at Cincinnati. Mr. Blair subsequently married Margaret Kilpatrick, who now resides at Georgetown. Mr. Blair died in 1875. The subject of this notice was the oldest of eight children, four sons and four daughters. He resided at Batavia till 1840, when he accompanied his father to Brown County. He received a fair common school education, and when eighteen years of age, learned the tinner’s trade. Soon after he commenced in business for himself, on Market street, Georgetown, employing experienced workmen from Cincinnati, for three years. He then removed his shop to a point on Main street not far from his present location, and since then has been in active business in his line of trade. His business has prospered exceedingly, and to meet his increasing trade, he has lately remodeled his place of business, now occupying an iron and freestone front, seventy-five by eighteen, and two stories in height, making a neat and commodious salesroom. When the great Republican party was organized at Jackson, Mich., in 1854, Mr. Blair became a charter member, and has since battled manfully under its banner. Gov. Bishop appointed him as a member to fill a vacancy existing in the Board of Directors of the Ohio Penitentiary. He was subsequently twice re-appointed by Gov. Foster, and at present is President of the Board. Mr. Blair has been a candidate for Probate Judge, and lately as Treasurer of Brown County, and on the latter vote received 500 more votes than Gov. Charles Foster, but the large Democratic majority in the county proved an unsurmountable barrier. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for twenty-one years, and has presided over the Lodge, Council and Chapter for a number of years, and connected with the order of High Priesthood, at Cincinnati, and the Odd Fellows Lodge and Encampment. Mr. Blair is an earnest and consistent member of the M. E. Church, and has served both as Steward and Trustee, and at present is Superintendent of the Sunday School. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias, and is Master of the Lodge of A. O. U. W. Mr. Blair was married in 1853, to Elizabeth C., daughter of Gideon Dunham, subsequently elected Clerk of Brown County, on the Republican ticket. Four children have been born to them, two now living—Frank D., in business with his father, and Anna. Mrs. Blair, son and daughters, are also members of the M. E. Church.