Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1894-08-10

Elk Governor Austin Blair, died at
his home in jackson. Like tired
child sinking to rest on his mothers
breast the distinguished orator, law
yer, scholar and statesman entered his
eternal sleep, after being i'll several
days. His last hours were painless.
Only the family were present when
the ex-governor died.
Austin Blair was born in a log cabin at Caro-
Zinc, Tompkins county. n. Y, Jan. 4, 1913
Thc first II years OF his life was spent upon
she farm. Upon graduating from Union coll
fego Mr.. blair read law for two years In the
so0lce OF Sweet Il DAVIS, at OSwegO, n. Y, and
was admitted to the bar in 1871 In June of
shat year he came to Michigan, settling in
jackson, hut soon aftCrward removed TO Eaton
county, where he was the same year elected
county clerk. He served only a part OF the
term, returning 20 Jackson carly in 1874,
where he has since resided. Mr. Blair was a
natural orator. and his love for public speaking
led him TO take an active part in politics, his
first efforts in this lire being during the cam
patgn OF 1874, when he cSpouSed the cause OF
Henry Clay, tho great leader OF the Wing
party, and during which he gained state repu-
tation as an orator
In IRt5 he was elected a member of the state
legislature at which session nc assisted in re-
Vising the general statutes. He also made an
able report in favor of abolishing the color dis
tinction in relation TO the elective franchise
thus becoming one OF the first TO advance Negro
suffrage. He also assisted IN the work OF abol-
tshing capital punishment. In 1913 he LETT tho
WING party on account OF its refusal TO indorse
Ghc anti-slavcry sentiment and affiliated with
the free soil movement in which he was an
earnest and indefatigabc worker. In 1852 he
was elected prosecuting attorney OF Jackson
county. When the Republican party was
formed under the oaks at Jackson Mr.. Blair
was one of the most prominent participants,
and in November of that year he was elected
20 the state senate on the Republican ticket.
while in the senate nc was the acknowledge d
leader. In 1858 he was candidate for congress,
but was defeated by William o. Howard. At
the Republican national convention in 1850.
Whichnominated Lincoln, Mr.. Blair was chair
man of the Michigan delegation and gave his
support to William II. Seward who the
choice of the Republicans OF Michigan that
year.
Mr.. Blair was chosen governor of Michigan
in 1850 and was reelected in 1882 faithfully
and hOnorably discharging the ar1uous duties
of the once during that most momentouS ana
stormy period. Retiring from the office OF
governor in 1866, poorer by many thousands OF
dollars than when he entered II. but with an
untarnished record he was in 1856 elected q
representative in congress and was reelected
twice, serving six years during the trying
times OF the reconstruction and restoration OF
the urion. In 1872 he left the Republican
party and again became candidate for gov
crnor on the Liberal Republican and Demo-
cratic ticket but was defeated. This prac-
tically ended his political career. and since
chat time as long as his health permitted he
attended strictly TO his law practice
The people Of Michigan are proud OF the
record made by Gov. Blair during the trying
times OF the civil war. In selecting officers for
the regiments, history shows that he acted
wisely aud a number or the officers appointed
10y him gained q worldwide fame by their
bravery and devotion TO duty. Among those
appointed by Gov. Blair was Phil Sheridan
During the past three or four years Gov
Blair had suffered a great deal from ill-health
but up to two wears ago he gave his attention
20 his law practice.
Ex-Gov. Blair leaves widow, for whom also
there Is a warm spot in the hearts OF old sol
dicrs. on account OF her untiring devotion and
aid in time OF war; also four sons, Charles a
and George H.. attorneys in Jackson. Fred j
Blair, a department clerk in Washington anC
Austin a. Blair His religion was OF the broad
type. He believed emphaticaly in the COLDER
rule, and followed its pTecepts 10 the letter.