The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-05-25
FOURTH EDITION
MUSTERED OUT.

Last Roll Call-Death OF william 8
moNair Yesterday Afternoon.
William s. McNair died yesterday
afternoon after q brief illness of pneu
monia and erysipelas. He has not beer
well for several weeks, but did not be.
come seriously Ill until last Tuesday,
when erysipelas was fully developed,
and his condition very dangerous.
Last Monday morning he was in the
REPUBLICAN office transactlng some
business.
The deceased was born In Bncks
county, Pa, October 10, 1874, and was
a son OF David McNalr, who is still liv-
Ing at Doylestown, but his mother died
at his birth. After acquiring an edu-
cation ne was engaged as clerk, In
which.he continued until the breaking
out OF the rebellion.
Although he was not II years of age,
and very small even for that age, he
offered his services as a soldier, and
after being refused several times on
account OF his boyish appearance, was
finally accepted, and mustered in as q
member of the Ringgold Battery,
which afterwards became the Durrell
Battery OF Reading, Pa. AS he was too
small TO help work the guns, he was
utilized as mail carrier, and to do
other light work. He was afterwards
promoted to be a color sergeant, and
served until the close of the war.
After he returned home he entered
the University OF Pennsylvania, where
ne graduated with the degree of Mas
ter OF Arts.
Soon after his graduation he became
an instructor In the Germantown Acad-
emy, Philadelphia. He was principal
OF the Brainard Institute, Cranbury,
N. j., from 1870 to 1875.
lie found congenial employment in
editing the biographical histories OF
different counties In Pennsylvania and
Ohio, published by Hubbard BROTHERS.
Healso published a biography OF Amer
lean physicians. In 1877 he came to
Wilmington and accepted a position
In Rugby Academy as instructor in
Greek, Latin and mathematics. He
founded the Brandywine Seminary In
the Institute Hall. in the rooms now
occupied by the Commercial College
During the time II. G. Conrad had
control OF the Morning News, he work
ed on the paper occasionally, and when
II passed into the hands Of tho present
owners In 1882. he accepted a position
on tho local, staff and was made city
editor In the spring OF 1888. He filled
this position in q competent and eifi-
cient manner until the summer of 1886
when. as he was n delegate to the Ma
uonal Encampment q. A. X. which
met That yoaf In San Francisco he ten
dered his resignation, which was ac-
cepted. While in San Francisco he did
eXcellent work for the newspapers
OF that city In reporting the proceed
ings OF the encampmenG and writing
biographical sketches of leading mem
bers OF the order He also wrote his
tory of the G. A. @. that was published
IN the papers of that city and is con-
sldered one OF the most reliable ever
gotten up.
Upon his return to this city, he was
engaged In assisting on the History OF
Delaware, and proved valuable con-
tributor. He also did occasional work
Tor the newspapers, and in 1883 engage
ed In the pension business with W. 3.
Hayward OF Washington. The part
nership was continued up to the time
OF MIR. Hayward's death about two
months ago. and has since been CON
Quoted by Mr. McNair.
There were very few better known
men in this city than the deceased,
and he was a most Jealous member Gf
the q. A. II.
General Thomas A Smyth Post, No.
!, wns organized In this city soon after
the close OF tho war. II dlsbnnded in
a few years and there was no organlza-
tiOn OF old soldiers In Delaware until
Smyth Post was mustered in on Jan
uary IL, 1880, Mr.. McNair being one of
the prime movers in the reorganiza.
ton. DUPONT Post No. ., was muster
ed III on February IA of the same year.
Robert Z. fIaim was made provisional
commander of the embryo deDart-
ment. Under him Post was muster.
ell in at Dover, and then the State be-
came entitled to organize a depart
ment. The delegates met in Whining
ton in 1881 and elected William S. Me
Nair department commander. This
was the only position he ever held i'm
the State eucampment. He filled soy.
eral Offices in Smyth Post. Encamp.
ment No. "a, Union Veteran Legion.
was organized in Wilmington little
more than three years ago through his
efforts. lie was the first colonel com
mander, holding the position for two
terms, He was also judge advocate
general OF the National Encampment.
MIR. McNair WAS devoted to the old
soldiers, and spared neither time or
money In doing anything that would
advance their welfare.
Hc has been instrumental in sending
scores OF lndignnt soldiers to the
Homes provided for them in various
parts OF the country and was also a
leader In the movement to have all the
old soldiers who were buried in Pot
ters Field removed to the Soldiers
plot in TIE Wilmington and Brandy
wine Cemetery. lie il was who had
the bill passed by tho General Assem-
bly, allowing S25 toward the burial of
any friendiess old soldier, and for
those whose friends are unable to bury
them.
He was also a member of the Knights
OF the Golden Eagle, and leading
spirit in forming Diamond stats Cas-
tie, No. 10.
He married Miss Elyira s. Shock, of
Philadelphia, in 1867. She died ON Au
gust 7th last wear, from the result of a
fall from step ladder. Three children,
Fannie McNair Of Philadelphia, Carrie
and Ernest b. McNair of this city,
SURVIVE their father. The son Is a clerk
in the Wilmington Savings Fund. The
funeral will take place from his resi-
dence, No. 9l1 Monroe street. to-mor-
row at $50 o'clock. Services will be
held mt the house. Smyth Post will
conduct the military exercises at the
grave and he will be buried with the
honors of war. Internent Will be
made In the Wilmington and Brandy
wine Cemetery.