Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1868-09-30
FOR GOVERNOR, JOHN !. BLAIR

John I. Blair, Of Warren, is the Re-
publican standard bearer Of New Jer-
sey for the pending political campaign.
Nominated unanimously, with q real
and honest harmony and enthusiasm,
his name reconciles all opposing fac
tions, and consolidates the Republican
organization rs one man. Mr.. Blair is
peculiarly representative man. His
| life has been one long catalogue Of sue
cesses, won by energy, skill and pro-
bity as business man; whilst its
rough, hard work has been dignifed
and made benefcent by the worthy
use he has made of the wealth he has
acquired The same shrewd powers
or organizing victory which have at
tended him hitherto will manifest them
selves in the canvass before the people.
All Republicans take heart OF grace ut
the mention OF his name.
The record of Mr. Blair's life is one
that cannot be too freely spread before
the voters of New Jersey. He is now
man Of sixty five years of age, and in
the very prime of activity and useful
ness. He was born in Warren county,
and has always lived in the State. al
though his enterprises extend over
many distant regions. As boy he
was clerk in his uncle's small coun-
try store, aud as he attained the proper
age, he himself opened similar bust
ness, at place then known as Gravel
Hill, but now called Blairstown in hon
or of himself. In this store he con-
tinued for many years, gradually en-
larging his transactions, until he was
prepared to launch out into broader
fields of American enterprise. He be-
came interested in the Scranton Iron
works, and his active mind suggested
the necessity of an outlet for it's man.
ufacturers. He explored route through
the wilderness and in his footsteps grew
mp the Delaware, Lackawanna and
Western Railroad connecting by the
Warren road with the New Jersey Cen
trail The construction of this impor-
tant avenue of traffic is owing to his
energy and enterprise, and to his intel
hgent support his success is due.
Not content with this, he engaged
largely in the building of several west
ern roads, in most cases taking the en-
tire contract upon his own shoulders,
and giving to the work his personal
supervision. Among these are the Du-
buque and Iowa road and the Sioux
City-the latter forming an important
branch of the Union Pacific Railroad
In one instance during the past year,
he is said to have built eight hundred
miles of road in eight months He has
lived and slept in railroad cars and in
prairie novels, returning to his home in
New Jersey, at frequent intervals,
where he has managed for many years
to discharge the duties of President of
the Belvidere Bank. His untiring in
dustry and foresight have been reward
ed by large fortune, which he has
used in the most Ii beral and unosten-
tatious manner for every good work
which has sought his aid.
He built the Blairstown Academy,
with its boarding house attached. The
Academy was burned last winter-but
Mr.. Blair is now rebuilding it, at an
expense to himself of $4,000 Some
years since, he endowed professor
ship at Princeton with $50, 000-a fact
which indicates his denominational
tendency in religious faith and he has
also given $4,000 to the Lay fayette
College, at Easton, Pennsylvania. =
Aside from these generous special gifts,
he has always had hand as open as the
day, was active and liberal during the
war, both in forwarding troops and in
substantial aid to the Sanitary Commits
sion.
To such a character, combining pure
moral character with indominable and
successful energy and lavish hberality,
Mr.. Blair adds the essential merit of
being hard working, unselfish and in
fiuential Republican. His counsels
and assistance have been largely drawn
upon for years by the party, and while
he seeks no reward, it is q gracious re-
cognition of his distinguished services
tlo+ ho cbo,,11 ba obocap oc loador ~,