St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1907-06-26

Capt. George p Blair, this towns
first citizen, died last week Tuesday
evening, after an illness extending over a
year. He was born in Glasgow, Scot
land, in 1886. In 1S49 he came to
Peacham, and when Is years of age he
went to California, where he spent six
years, most of the time engaged in hy-
draulic mining in Placer county, where
his industry and energy were rewarded
with moderate success. He afterwards
enlisted in Co. D, First Vermont Cav
airy, where he did faithful and contin-
uous service until he was discharged
with his regiment soon after the battle
of Cedar Creek, as quartermaster-se
geant of the regiment. Soon after his
return from the service he located in
trade at South Peacham, where he was
for four years. In. 1870 he engaged in
trade in this village, where he has since
remained. In September, 1861, he mar
ried Miss Agnes, daughter of Harvey
Sanborn of Peacham, who with three
daughters and son survives him. Their
children are Margaret, now Mrs. E. J,
NJ. Hale, who lives here; Mary, who
married DR.. A. ]. Mackey, and resides at
Peacham; Agnes, Mrs. Leslie K. Thorn
ton, whose husband is postmaster here,
and who has been associated with Mr..
Blair in his business interests. His son,
George H. Blair, is bookkeeper in
wholesale grocery at Spokane, Wash.
Mr. Blair has long been member OF the
board of trustees of the Caledonia
County grammar school at Peacham,
and was elected its secretary in 1888,
which office he held for several years.
He was for many years justice of the
peace, first in Peacham, then in Barnet,
until he was appointed postmaster at
West Barnet, over 20 years ago, which
position he filled for several years. He
has been one of the directors of the Cit
liens Savings Bank and Trust Co. at St.
Johnsbury since its organization, and at
his death held the position of vice presi-
dent. He served as selectman both in
Peacham and Barnet, was elected to the
legislature from Barnet in $780, and
served on the grand list committee that
drafted the listing law, then enacted.
He was senator from Caledonia
county in 1896, and again represented
Barnet in 1900, the only man to be sent
a second term since the biennial law Of
1870.
Mr.. Blair was entrusted with the set
Element of more estates than any other
man in this county, ana often had in
charge large trust funds. and was the
legal advisor in this vicinity of widows
and orphans, whose interests were as
faithfully kept as his own. He was
man of great public spirit, liberal sup
porter of the church at his home, men,
Der of Stevens Post, g. A. r.. and in
every way a representative and highly
respected citizen.
The funeral was held at the church
Thursday afternoon, and was one of the
most largely attended of any ever held
here. The sermon was preached by Rev.
S. P. Brownell, pastor of the church,
who was assisted by Rev. D. M. Nc
Kindley Rev. D. c. Faris, and Rev. ]. K.
Williams. The bearers were members of
the G. A. R., and the Barnet Post at
tended in body. The floral tributes
were very beautiful, including a pillow
from the Citizens Bank. Music was fur
nished by the male quartet of Peacham,
and the burial was at Peacham.
RESOLUTIONS.
Resolutions of respect in memory of Hon.
George p. Blair of West Barnet, VT, vice
president of the Citizens Savings Bank and
Trust Company, adopted by the directors
of the said Citizens Savings Bank and Trust
Company, June "a, 1907
Whereas, In the course of events, it has
pleased our Heavenly Father to remove from
our midst on June 49, 1907, our honored
vice president George p. Blair, of West Bar
net, VT, and
Whereas the said George p. Blair was one
of the incorporators of the Citizens Savings
Bank and Trust Company, director from
it's organization, and its vice president for
many years one of its chief supporters and
always faithful in his service in looking after
it's best interests be it
Resolved, that we, the directors of the
Citizens. Savings Bank and Trust Company,
deeply depore his death, and shall ever hold
him in pleasant memories, and take this
method of showing our affection for our late
vice-president and friend, and our apprecia-
ton for his long and efficient service
Resolved that we extend our loving SYM
pathy to the bereaved family in this their
affliction and loss.
Resolved, that a copy of these resolutions
be spread upon the records of our institu-