BIOGRAPHY: Alexander ADAIR, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 363-4
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ALEXANDER ADAIR, prominently identified with the history of Johnstown during the 
last sixteen years, was born January 22, 1848, in Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania. His father, John Adair, was a native of Westmoreland county, where 
he resided until 1862, when he removed to Blair county. There the elder Adair 
lived with his family until his death, which occurred in May, 1896, at the age 
of seventy-five years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. From 
the building of the Pennsylvania railroad he was in that company's service in 
different capacities.
     Grandfather Adair came to the United States from Ireland when a young man, 
and located in what is now Westmoreland county, where he died at an advanced 
age. He followed the calling of a shoemaker, and was a most useful and exemplary 
citizen. He also had an honorable record as a soldier, having served his adopted 
country in the War of 1812.
     Catherine (Brown) Adair, mother of Alexander, was born in Lancaster county, 
Pennsylvania, where she was held in high esteem for her many virtues. She now 
resides in Greensburg, and is in her seventieth year. Grandfather Brown was also 
a native of Ireland. Coming to America he located in Lancaster county, where he 
embarked in the linen business.
     Alexander Adair was reared in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and educated in the 
public schools. He was emphatically the architect of his own fortune, starting 
in life for himself at the early age of twelve years. For several years he 
worked for the Adams Express company. Later, under President Lincoln's 
administration, he held a position as mail agent on the Allegheny Valley 
railroad, and had charge of the first mail car running through from Pittsburg to 
Oil City. At the change of administration, being yet in his minority, he was 
removed on account of his not being of legal age. He then returned to the 
service of the Express company, where he remained until 1881, when he located in 
Johnstown, and where he has since resided. Foreseeing the city's growth, and 
being an excellent judge of property values, he amassed a comfortable competency 
in real-estate operations, and in 1890 built the Adair Opera House, one of the 
best play-houses in the interior of Pennsylvania. He lost heavily in the great 
flood, all his property being destroyed; but with characteristic energy he was 
one of the first to engage in rebuilding, and by this practical demonstration of 
his faith in the city's future encouraged others to do likewise. All the 
buildings lost in the flood have been restored, and he now owns eighteen houses 
in the city of Johnstown. His success shows what a penniless boy, with no 
capital but pluck and energy, can do.
     Mr. Adair is a republican in politics, and an earnest defender of the 
principles of his party. His fellow-citizens have honored him with an election 
to the city councils, and he has been favorably mentioned for the mayoralty of 
the city. He inclines to the Methodist Episcopal church, whose services he 
attends.