Arthur Blair was born March 22, 1865, the second
son of John Franklin Blair and Amelia (Robins) Blair. He was born and brought up on the
original Blair farm near Adeline, Ogle County, Illinois. Arthur died
of tuberculosis at the tender age of nineteen. The
following series of newspaper clippings about Arthur's last days and death show how
deeply the loss of this young man was felt by the family and the community.
The
Forreston Herald: July 28, 1883
Arthur Blair, a
promising young man from this town (Adeline) will soon become a student in Mt. Morris
College.
The
Forreston Herald: June 6, 1885
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Blair and son, Arthur, of Adeline, were in town
Monday visiting friends. Arthur was taken with measles at Mt. Morris, some time ago, while
attending school. He caught cold, and it settled in his lungs. He was taken to Freeport
Monday, where he was examined by Dr. Caldwell and pronounced in a very bad way. They fear
that he will never fully recover. Mrs. Blair has almost entirely recovered from her
illness [a heart condition].
The
Forreston Herald: June 13, 1885
Arthur Blair is able to ride out again, and paid a visit to the gypsie
camp Sunday.
The
Forreston Herald: July 18, 1885
Dr. Caldwell, of Freeport, was in town Monday to see Mr. Arthur Blair,
who is gradually failing.
The
Forreston Herald: August 15, 1885
At six o’clock, Tuesday evening the friends and relatives of John
F. Blair gathered at the creek in Father Cooley’s field and Rev. Palmer officiating,
Arthur Blair, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Myers were baptized, there being the place in which
Arthur preferred to be immersed. There were abut 50 or 60 people from Adeline, Forreston
and the country.
The
Forreston Herald: August 22, 1885
Arthur Blair, accompanied by his father, mother and Dr. Hanes, went to
Chicago last week and was examined by four different physicians. They all seem to think
that there is very little hope of his recovery.
The
Forreston Herald; September 19, 1885
BLAIR--At Adeline, Sept. 16th, 1885, Arthur L. Blair, aged 19 years, 5
months and 24 days.
"Life’s springtime has brought its offering to mingle with the ripening fruit
of nature’s autumn." Wednesday was one of the most cheerful of autumn days. With
the few days preceding, it stood out among the series of dark rainy days of the past
week, like bright stars shining through a black and threatening cloud. The waxing warmth
and brightness of this summer’s sun seemed to make a special effort to produce a
beautiful day, for upon this day a spirit was to say farewell to earth and wing its way to
its home in the spirit land. As the smiling earth bore upon its bosom the fruit-laden
trees, and the garnered harvests of the summer’s ripening, so too this noble life at
its bright and happy close, bore fruit immortal. Arthur’s was a loving, gentle,
self-sacrificing disposition. He endured the long, weary days and nights of suffering with
wonderful patience. On Thursday night before his death, though his body had been made weak
and all but robbed of its last spark of vitality, he spent the last hours in happy song
and conversation with those who had been dearest to him in life. He was happy in the
assurance that there is a sure and bright future beyond death and he made it the crowning
effort of his life’s work to obtain the faithful promises of those about him that
their future lives should be such as to entitle them to an assurance such as his own. He
expressed the joy of his trusting heart in a special desire that his friends should sing
the song "I am so happy in Jesus," and he assured his dearest friend that if he
could have talked to his companions he would urge them all alike to speedily begin a life
devoted to the service of their Maker. Arthur would have graduated at the Commercial
course at Mount Morris College last June had his sickness been delayed two weeks. He was
taken in May, with the measles, and afterwards contracted a cold which, effecting his
lungs, finally resulting in his death. The best medical counsel our state could afford was
sought but no hopeful promise could be offered. He had not walked any since July 15th and
had frequent hemorrhages from the lungs which were a constant source of alarm to his
anxious friends. While in College his kind unassuming and unselfish conduct led all who
knew him to respect and love him and his college companions acknowledged him the favorite
of all. He was a faithful pupil and in the eyes of his instructors showed signs of more
than common ability. Professors and students visited him during his last days and thus
showed the interest they had in one who had been an honor to their school. His room-mate
at College, Mr. Solenberger, was sent for and reached his bedside some time before his
death. None but students can know of the tender and loving friendship that are suggested
by that endearing term my college "chum." Especially touching were his parting
words to this his school companion. Upon Arthur’s grave we would lay none but pure
garlands. May his pure and noble character live long in our memories and be an incentive
to us to make our lives more noble and pure. E.S.B.
[The Obituary was written by Edward S. Blair, Arthur's cousin and son of Matthew and Sarah
Ann Blair.]
The
Forreston Herald: December 12, 1885
Mr. J. F. Blair and family were very pleasantly entertained last
Saturday by a class of singers from Mt. Morris College, of which their son, Arthur, was a
member. It was a token of love and respect shown their departed son and was much
appreciated by the family. The singing, as was the music, excellent. Misses McCosh and
Abbie Fager furnished some very fine instrumental music. After partaking of a hearty
repast and spending a very pleasant day, they all returned to the Mount well pleased with
the occupations of the day.
The
Forreston Herald: February 6, 1886
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Blair, of Adeline, left Wednesday for Rockford where
they will purchase a stone to erect over the grave of their loved son, Arthur. Mrs. Harry
Robins, of Forreston, is at Adeline keeping house in Mrs. Blair’s absence.
The
Forreston Herald: May 6, 1886
J. F. Blair has purchased a fine monument from Mr. Roberts of Rockford,
for his son, Arthur, who is buried in our cemetery. It is a fine structure and some fine
work is inscribed upon it. One of the best in the yard, costing $250.
