The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-04-23
Tribute to a
Noble Life.

Mrs. Mary Ann Adair, widow of the
late Gen. John Adair Of Astoria, Ore.
gon, died at the home OF her daughter
Mrs. w. T. Welcker. at Berkeley, Cal.
ifornia, on the Sth day Of April, 1898
She was a little over seventy-seven
years of age. Mrs. Adair, who was
born Mary Ann Dickinson. was the
granddaughter of Col. Elliott, who
took the part of the colonies in their
struggle against the British crown in the
war of the Revolution. And under the
administration of Washington he was
stationed with the garrison at the Falls
OF the Ohio, since known as Louisville,
Kentucky. Elizabeth Elliott, his
daughter, married Samuel Dickinson.
These were the parents of Mrs. Adair.
who as Mary Ann Dickinson, was mar
ried to John Adair, January End 1884.
Her husband, John Adair, was son Of
Gen. John Adair, Governor Of Kentucky,
and United States senator from
that state. He too, had served the COL
onies in their seven years struggle
against Great Britain, and also in 1872
against the British and Indians, rising
to a high rank and command.
The subject of this notice, with her
husband and children, came on the
California" which was the first
American steamship that ever entered
the Golden Gate" They afterwards
went, early in 1S49, to Astoria, Oregon.
They continued throughout life to re-
side there, and were closely identified
with the interests of Oregon. Gen.
Adair was the first United States Col
lector OF Customs on the Northwest
coast, having been selected for that
position by President Polk.
Mrs. Adair was the mother of thir-
teen children, the survivors OF whom are
Mrs. Ellen Mendell, the wife of Col.
c. H.. Mendell, of the United States
Engineer Corps: Mrs. Katy Welcker.
wife of William T. Welcker of Berke-
ley, California: Col. John Adair of Clat-
sop County, Oregon: Mrs. Mary Ann
Jordan, wife of Col. William H. Jordan
Of the United States Army. Samuel
D.. Adair Of Clatsop County, Oregon:
William B. Adair of Astoria, Oregon,
and Mrs. Laura p. Barker, wife OF the
Rt. Rev. William M. Barker, Bishop
of Western Colorado.
She died as she had lived, a faithful
and devoted Christian Woman, and
communicate Of the Episcopal Church.
Her character was placid because of its
depth the accidents of life, prosperity.
adversely and misfortune, and she saw
life in all its phases, rippled the sur
face but left the depths unstirred. Her
patience was sufficient for all trials;
her serenity vas never clouded; her
.gentleness never foiled; her faith never
d~istrusted and her charity covered the
failings of all. No child aver received
from her a rebuke that left a sting:
no ~misbehavior gained currency by her
report no reputation suffered at her
hands. The radiance of her charac-
ter was calm, strong, soothing, peace
ful: IN influence for good to all whom
1t reached, an education for many. The
writer, who knew her for near forty
years, never heard a harsh Judgment
from her lips, nor, indeed, did she APP
pear to think of passing judgment up
on others.
Her life was for the most part bound
by her home, in which she moved,
the center of love and admiration.
She came to Oregon at the age of
with a flock of young
children, who were dependent upon her
'or care of mind and body. Some re-
,eived at her hands all education nee
.ssary to form accomplished women.
IN the early days Of Oregon there was
little opportunity for girls elsewhere
han in their homes. The best Of ed
was loving association with
Ter. aio9 .isrepir2
The writer has known several men
# prominence, who in their early days
of the unstinted hospitality
dispensed at the table Of Gen. AdaIr,
Ind has heard from their lips an ac-
'ount of the impressions which Mrs.
Adair made upon them by her sweet
less, calmness, power and simplicity.
he story was always the same. Du-
ing the present year the writer re-
eved an account from a gentleman
n New York Of his association with
Ter family in the years Of '49 and'5O.
lie described himself, and those who
we're with him, as having been dazed
the spectacle Of this refined home in
he midst Of the rudeness which
bounded on the western shore in those
arly days. @
These impressions were made upon
many men. who have repeated the
tory of her patience and gentleness 9
many a home. i
Who can measure the Wilderness and y
epth of the beniicent influence which
his story. reSd daily by her n%eighbors
nd repeated in many places, has ex-
rted in forming characters, who In