Notes for: Jackson VanBuren Blair
"No man in West Union, West Virginia, is more liked and respected than Jackson V. Blair, who has achieved distinction at the bar, and who has made a name for himself as a public-spirited citizen and promoter of new enterprises....
"... the family circle was broken by the death of the mother, February 4, 1864, soon after which the subject of this sketch, then a lad of about eleven years, started out to fight his own way in life. For some time, he worked as a farm hand, attending school during the winter seasons, and studying at nights and on "wet davs" the year round. At about the age of seventeen, he came to Doddridge County, where he engaged as a laborer on the lumber works of Captain M. Donohue and Judge C. J. Stuart. The following winter he taught school, and continued to labor and teach until 1873, when he entered the State Normal School at Fairmont, where he finished the course and received his diploma June 1875. On his return to his adopted county, he was elected Superintendent of Free Schools: and the schools so prospered under his able management that the people recognized his true worth, and although a Democrat in a Republican County. they re-elected him for another term of two years. He taught at the Weston Academy one term, and was principal of the West Union Graded School in 1876. In the meantime, and at the solicitation of his former employer, Judge Stuart, he read law with him: was examined by Judges Charles S. Lewis, Okey Johnson and James M. Jackson, Jr., who licensed him to practice May 22, 1877. He immediately entered into partnership with Judge Stuart, this social relation lasting until the Spring of 1886, since which time he has been conducting business alone. He now stands at the head of the bar of this county, and has taken part in most of the criminal cases.
"He was appointed by Governor A. B. Fleming. Judge Advocate of the First Regiment. West Virginia National Guards, with the rank of Major, and as such member of the Governor's staff, in which capacity he attended with the Governor and staff the dedication of the World's Fair Buildings. At the close of Governor Fleming's term he resigned the trust.
"Mr. Blair is a stockholder and attorney for the West Union Bank. He took an active part in its organization. He is interested in the oil development of his county, owns real estate in and out of town, the accumulation of his own labors.
"Mr. Blair has been Chairman of the County Democratic Executive Committee for over ten years, and has often been favorably mentioned by the press for Congress for the First District and for Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Politically, he is never found working for himself, but always for some friend. Socially he is a Mason, being a Knight Templar, Thirty-second Degree, Scottish Rite, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias Lodges.
"Mr. Blair is small of stature, weighs about 133 pounds, complexion fair, eyes gray, expression open and frank. He attributes his success to his early application to studv, to his industry, the aid of a devoted wife, the patronage of the good people among whom he lives, and the indulgence of the Creator of all."