BlairAndCernyFamilie..

EDWARD BLAIR
Edward Blair was a brother to our grandfather, Patrick Blair.
He was born in Ireland in 1847. He cdne as an inmigrant to
Anerica at the age of 18 years old from County Antrim in
Ireland with his parents, John and Hary Blair and his sisters
and brothers.
The fanily settled in Sanganon county wtrere he received his
final naturalization papers on October 20, 1868. He appeared
before the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Sangamon county,
State of Illinois and declared on oath that it was bona fide
his intention to become a citizen of the Ljnited States and to
renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any Foreign
Princee Potentate, State of Sovereignty whatsoever and
particularly to the Queen of Great Britain and lreland. A
Oepartnrent of State passport was issued to him on October 20,
1868 at t{ashington, D.C.
He was engaged in farming. He sold his 100 acre farm which
was located about four miles northwest of Niantic, Illinois
in 1933 to Dr. William Lahners of Decatur, Illinois.
At this
time the farm was uninrproved as to bui ldings. Dr. Lahners
bought the farm as an investment. Edward retired and moved
to 321 W. Hain street at Decatur, Illinois. He never married.
He faithfully attended Sunday and weekday Masses at St.
Patrickrs Catholic church in Decatur and he greatly adnired
and respected the parish priest, Father Jererniah i'lurphy.
He was fatally injured on his way to an early weekday Hass
at St. Patrickrs church. This particular morning there was
a heavy rain. He was struck down at the corner of Prairie
and Church streets in Decatur by a Polar Ice Company truck.
His chest was crushed, though it was not generally believed
that the truck passed over his body. He had many broken ribs
as well as numerous other abrasions about his face and hands.
It was believed that he was walking with his head lowered to
avoid the pouring rain and failed to see the approaching truck.
He died October ll, 1934 at St. Haryrs hospital in Decatur at
the age of 87 years.