Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Blair, Nathan A.     
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


NATHAN A. BLAIR, a well-known citizen of Hyndman, Pa., is 
cashier of the National Bank of South Pennsylvania, a 
responsible position, which he has filled most acceptably 
for several years.  A son of Archibald Blair, who was of 
Scotch- Irish ancestry, he was born in Cumberland Valley 
township, July 12, 1848.
  The Blair family, which has long been prominent in the 
southern part of this State, was first represented in 
America, it is said, by five brothers, who came here in 
Colonial times.  The Blairs were some of them active in both 
the Revolutionary struggle and the War of 1812. A descendant 
of the emigrant progenitor of Nathan A. Blair was one of the 
original settlers of Blair County, Pennsylvania, which was 
named in his honor.  Frank P. Blair, the noted statesman, 
sprang from the same honored stock, having been a second 
cousin of Archibald Blair, father of the subject of this 
sketch.
  Archibald Blair spent his entire life in Cumberland Valley 
township, of which his father, John Blair, was an early 
pioneer.  He was an energetic, industrious man, reared to 
the habits of thrift that characterize the Scotch-Irish; and 
in his active career he improved a good farm, on which he 
resided until his death in 1871.  Prominent in town affairs, 
he was frequently called upon to fill local offices, and for 
several years was Justice of the Peace.  His wife, whose 
maiden name was Matilda Smith, was born and bred in Napier, 
Bedford County, where her parents were highly esteemed 
residents.
  Nathan A. Blair made the most of the educational 
opportunities offered by the district schools; and the 
knowledge he there acquired has been continually advanced by 
reading, observation, and practical experience.  After 
leaving the home farm he worked as a boot and shoe maker for 
a few years in Centreville, Pa., where he subsequently 
opened a store of general merchandise.  This he conducted 
successfully until 1889, when he was appointed assistant 
cashier of the National Bank of South Pennsylvania.  Proving 
himself especially faithful and competent, he was promoted 
to the cashiership of the bank in 1890, a position which he 
is now filling to the satisfaction of all concerned.  A 
Democrat in his political affiliations, interested in the 
welfare of his town and county, Mr. Blair has never shrunk 
from duties imposed upon him by his fellow-townsmen, but has 
served a number of terms as School Director of Hyndman 
borough, and for fifteen years was Justice of Peace in 
Cumberland Valley township.  He is a member in high standing 
of Cumberland Valley Lodge, No. 849, I. O. O. F., and 
belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
  Mr. Blair and Caroline M., daughter of the late John 
Elder, of Cumberland Valley, Pa., were married on May 16, 
1869.  They have four children now living, namely: Oscar D., 
a resident of Hyndman, Pa., who there served as Postmaster 
under President Cleveland's second administration; Florence 
M., wife of D. B. Young, of Hyndman, John A.; and Alice V.  
The deceased are: Lydia J., Edna J., and Mary V.



Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa