New-York tribune., 1892-08-23
JOHN l. BLAIR NINETY YEARS OLD

r,rr INTERESTING AND USEFUL CAREER OF
NEw-JERSEY5 DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN.
Blalrstown, n. j.. Aug. % (special.-John l. blair'
of this town. to-day completed his nlneticth year
In Difference to the wishes OF his family, the public
demon strattons customary for few years past were
omitted, and the day was quietly celebrated at MS
horne, where numerous relatives and friends from
distance and neghbors homo offered their con-
CALCULATIONS. The occurrence calls attention TO MS
interesting career and the good " which he his
put IA portion Of his millions.
Born and reared on a farm Bevidere. be early
developed the faculty for acquisition Of wealth lie
has been heard say that his frst money was the
price Of q muskrat skin Becoming clerk. he speedily
rose TO independence and conducted business for hH
self At first in a single store on Gravel Hill (now
Blalrstown) and then In chain Of stores acquired
one BY one and placed In the hands Of his brother
The building Of the Warren Railroad. which EXTENDED
from Washington, IN Warren County. TO the Delaware
Bridge Just below the Water Gap (now part OF the
Delaware Lacknwanna and Westerly, gave him his
opportunity IN the Dno In which he has since become
famous Later, he had the foresight to appreciate the
necessity of an Eastern market for the rapidly de-
vcloping West and gradually extended system OF
railways into iowa and Nebraska, building fast as
the subscriptions OF settlers and the state OF his twn
funds would warrant until the Blair system" nD-
sorbed few years ago by the Chicago and North
western spread over extensive territory OF fertile
pr;llflcS. III Eittr years lie h"Hi
the personal ownership which caused him to be known
as a railroad king but he IS a valued director and
counsellor In several corporations. Mr. Blair has also
fusered many commercial interests In connection with
his railr,ad ventures, such as the production ana
manufacture OF iron and slate.
Without educa ationa advantages in early youth Mr.
Blair formed u high estimate Of their Importance, and
in his maturer years he has developed the hudable
aim Of furnishing worthy youth with that which he
OF iZpd and a sadly missed Inc
academy at Blalrstown established nearly fifty years
ago. largely through his endeavors has been constant
recipient Of his favos. The frame structure whlch was
occupied until 1867 having been burned, Mr.. Blair
replaced II with u comm0dous building Of stone, Of
three stories and with two wings. This, with nine
acres OF ground surrounding It, was decided to the
Presbytery Of Newton In the interests OF Christian
education. Not content with this, he established
fund now amounting 90 between $4,000 and $1,000.
for the free education and maintenance, while In the
school, OF the cfaldren of the ministers on the Presoy
terry who thus send their sons and dsughers with
cost fr either tutlon or boarding The academy nav
Ing been greatly ena ged under the popular management
Of J. II. Shumaker, pm. D., Mr. Bnir not only added
$4,000 to tho endowment, but proceeded TO make
room for additional students by the erection o. noble
building Of cut stone according to plans furnished by
Addison Hutton Of Philadelphia for dornitory for
grs II Is both massive and homeike, freproof
throughout even 10 the iron sairways, With the most
modern and approved Appliances, 10 eic
gantly furnished, and besides the pin-
cipas family and the teachers, can accom-
modate sxty-fve girls. Mr.. Blairs own grounds ad
Join those OF the academy. 80 that be takes personal
interest In It's affairs being always present at COM
mcncements and frequently at oter dimes, to enjoy the
evident good results Of HIS knefaction.
one consequence OF his endowment Of the academy
which bears his name Is that It furnishes for low
prce TO all comers advantages which commonly COM
mand much higher rates. Tie sons and daughters
VI farmers especially those In the neghborhood. In
accordance with Mr.. Bairs special wish. have always
been welcomed and from among them have come a
number who have done great credit TO Blair Hall
when Mr. Blair shall have completed the plan Of
buildings contemplated, by adding boys dormitory
and altering the main structure to correspond. the
housing Of the school will be OF the most perfect
character and he will have erected grand monu-
msnt In the place to which be has given his name
which shall testify 10 coming generations OF bis in
tegcnt interest IN youth. and shall Increasingly add
Besides this his principal work for education. Mr.;
Blair hns endowed proicssorships In Princeton and
Lafayette colleges, and BY many generous gifts has
Increased the facilities Of struggling Western nstitu
tions notably those along tie lines OF RAILWAY built
by him. ,..
The rema riable energies Of his unusual longevity
are fully occupied with diverse financial interests, the
most recent Of his enterprises. the banking house Of
blair Co.. in wall-st;. New;fork. engaging share
Of his manifold attention II green old age ,ie ne
and nostentatious bearing Of his earlier years filling
a period OF ne. which, for the most OF those who
attain IT, IS pcriorce period Of resting with activities
both multiplied and benetcent