SAMUEL RUSSELL BLAIR

Born: July 1, 1845 Location: Maryland Township, Ogle County, Illinois Died: January 2, 1908  Age: 62 years Cause of Death: Uremia (kidney failure) Location: Mt. Morris, Ogle County, Illinois Buried: Plainview Cemetery, Mt. Morris, Illinois	Father:  William Stewart Blair Mother: Jennett Locke Blair Children: William More Blair
Spouse: Carrie V. Fish Daughter of:  William and Mary Fish Born: October 15, 1841, Washington Co., Maryland Died: June 13, 1907, Mt. Morris, Illinois  Age: 65 years Cause of Death: Probably stroke Health Issues: Lame from a childhood disease and probably vascular disease or cancer. Buried: Plainview Cemetery, Mt. Morris, Illinois Marriage Date:  July 1, 1867 Marriage Location: Mt. Carroll, Carroll County, Illinois Occupation of Spouse: Waitress and seamstress prior to marriage.	Occupation: Served in Co. I, 140 Reg.IL Vol. Inf. during the Civil War;  farmer Education:  Unknown Health Issues: Unknown
More photographs wanted. 1870 US census: Mt. Morris, Ogle County, Illinois: Samuel, a farmer with wife Carrie and son Willie. 1880 US census: Mt. Morris, Ogle County, Illinois: Samuel, a farmer with wife Carrie and son Willie. 1900 US census: Mt. Morris, Ogle County, Illinois: Samuel, a farmer with wife Carrie. Samuel R. Blair's obituary from Mt. Morris Index: January 15, 1908. Transcript below. Image. Carrie V. Fish Blair obituary from Mt. Morris Index: June 20, 1907. Transcript below. Image. Tombstone: Plainview Cemetery, Mt. Morris, Illinois. Click on image for larger picture. Military and Civil Record written by Samuel R. Blair in 1907. The record includes information on his Civil War service and family history.  It focuses heavily on the death of his wife and his heartfelt feelings about her loss.  File is large and may take some time to load. Click on image. Text only version of above record.

Mt. Morris Index, Mt. Morris, Ogle County, Illinois, January 15, 1908: Page 1
S. R. Blair
Death came to Samuel Russell Blair, Thursday evening shortly after 10 o'clock. He had been quite ill during the preceding week but those in attendance did not consider his sickness of an alarming nature. Thursday there was a decided change for the worse and despite the best medical efforts he passed away, the immediate cause of his death being uremic poisoning. Up until within a short time ago Mr. Blair appeared to be in the best of health and as the news spread abroad of his death it came as a great shock to his large circle of friends.

The deceased was born in Maryland Township, near Adeline, July 1, 1845, and died at the age of 62 years, 6 months and 8 days. With parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Blair, he came to Mount Morris in 1850, having even since resided in the village and vicinity. His father was one of the pioneers of Ogle County coming to these parts in 1837, and after locating in Mount Morris engaged for a year in merchandizing and then built the well known Blair Hotel, which in connection with a livery stable he ran for many years. In later years his parents removed to Omaha and made their home with their daughter, Mrs. Emerson Stone, where Mrs. Blair passed away Dec. 14, 1885 and Mr. Blair in July 1890.

The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Carrie V. Fish, of Mount Morris, July 1, 1867, the marriage ceremony being performed at Mount Carroll. Shortly afterward they removed to the farm one and one half miles east of town which Mr. Blair afterwards purchased from his father, where they continued to reside until removing to town about seven years ago, turning the farm over to their son and only child, William M. Blair, who still remains on the place.

Mr. Blair served as a soldier during a portion of the Civil War, having enlisted in Mount Morris in Co., I, 140th Ill., Vol., April 28, 1864, and remaining in service until the conclusion of the strife. He was a member of the John M. Smith Post of the G. A. R. at this place and took great pleasure in participating in all of the meetings of the old comrades. While a young man he united with the M. E. Church and has since remained a consistent Christian, and regular communicant of that organization. He was of a quiet, retiring disposition, but made many steadfast friendships which he retained to the end.

The deceased was preceded in death by his wife, who died, June 14, 1907, less than seven months ago, their companionship having lasted within a few days of forty years. During his brief illness his son was a constant attendant at his bedside and every attention was bestowed that could possible alleviate his slightest want.

Besides being survived by an only child, William M. Blair, four sisters of the deceased remain, viz: Mrs. Mercy Stone, of Lincoln, Neb.; Mrs. Emerson Stone and Mrs. Mary McKay of Omaha, and Mrs. George B. McCosh, of Mount Morris.

Funeral services were held from the M. E. Church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and were under the auspices of the Grand Army post which order attended in a body as well as the ladies of the Women's Relief Corps. Rev. J. H. More, of Polo, a personal friend of the deceased, preached the funeral discourse and notwithstanding the severe snow storm raging, the church was well filled with sorrowing friends. Interment followed in the family lot at the old cemetery.

Relatives from abroad present were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fish and daughter, Ethel, of Chicago; Frank Blair, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Blair and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Blair and daughter, Orletta, of Adeline.

Mr. and Mrs. William Blair wish to thank the friends and neighbors for the many kindnesses show the deceased through his illness and the kindly acts after death and special thanks are rendered the members of the G.A. R. Post and to the ladies of the W. R. C.

Mount Morris Index: Mount Morris, Ogle County, Illinois, June 20, 1907; page 1
Mrs. R. S. Blair Laid To Rest, Sunday.

Mrs. R. S. Blair, a resident of Mount Morris for more than fifty years, departed this life early last Thursday morning after a long illness. She was a member of an old and well known family and enjoyed a large acquaintanceship in this vicinity.

Her health had been bad for some time. She recently spent a month in a Rockford hospital receiving treatment and came home considerably benefited, but later grew worse again, suffering several light attacks and paralysis. A week ago last Sunday morning she was taken with a severe stroke which rendered her helpless and unconscious. Life lingered in the body until Thursday morning when death finally came.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the house. Dr. J. H. More, of Polo, conducted the service, assisted by Rev. L. Ford. The remains were laid to rest in the family lot in the old cemetery.

Mrs. Blair's maiden name was Carrie V. Fish. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Fish, natives of Washington County, Md., where she was born Oct. 15, 1841. The Fish family emigrated to Illinois in 1856. The father was cooper and followed that trade after coming to Mount Morris. There were four children in the family, two sons and two daughters, viz.: John, who served in the Union Army and died many years ago; Charles, now a resident of Chicago; Carrie, who married R. S. Blair, and whose death is here recorded; and Melisse, who married Benj. Rine and died several years ago. The parents both died in Mount Morris and lie buried in the old cemetery. Charles is now the only surviving member of the family.

Mrs. Blair's marriage to Russell S. Blair occurred July 1, 1867. One child was born to them, William, who now lives on the home place, east of Mount Morris. Practically all their married life was spent on the farm east of town until they retired from active farming several years ago and moved to Mount Morris, where they built a cozy cottage.

Mrs. Blair suffered throughout her life with a lameness which came upon her as a result of a spell of sickness when she was a girl. This was a constant handicap to her during the greater part of her life.

She was a member of the M. E. Church from about 1869. At the time of her death she was aged 65 years and 9 months.