California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JAMES H. BLAIR. Probably no name in the northern part of California is better known 
than that of Blair, as the father of our subject was one of the pioneer ministers of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. For many years he continued in the ministry in addition to farming 
and stock-raising. Rev. Jonathan Blair was a native of Tennessee, but on reaching manhood 
migrated westward and for a time lived in Arkansas and Missouri. In 1857 he crossed the 
plains, coming in the customary way, as in those days ox-teams were the only means of transpor- 
tation across the continent. He was one of the few to bring a drove of cattle to California. 
After living in Sonoma county for a short time he located in Little Lake valley, Mendocino coun- 
ty, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising, devoting most of his time to the 
latter industry. During the winter of 1861-62 he lost nearly all his cattle, as that winter was 
an extremely cold one and the stock was frozen to death. In 1862, with the few head that were 
saved. Rev. Blair located in Tulare county and here engaged in stock-raising near Visalia. Two 
years later misfortune again overtook him and he lost nearly everything he owned, that being 
the year of the great drought. In 1874 he purchased the ranch now owned by his son which 
he improved and placed under a high state of cultivation. From time to time he added to 
his first purchase until at the time of his death he was the possessor of one thousand one hun- 
dred acres of fine land. While most of his attention was given to the raising of cattle he was 
for ten years interested quite extensively in the sheep business. 

Soon after coming to California Rev. Blair began preaching in the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, and during his long residence here he continued an active worker, organizing and es- 
tablishing churches at many different places. The territory he covered was large, preaching in 
the towns between the Tule and Kings rivers. Sincere in his work he refused to give up the 
ministry until forced to do so by old age. but his voice was heard up to within three years of 
his death, which occurred in 1886 at the age of eighty-one years. He married Mrs. Nancy 
Moffett nee Mayfield, who died in 1897. By her union with Mr. Blair she became the moth- 
er of ten children, eight of whom reached maturity. 

James H. Blair was born in Mendocino county, February 28, i860. When but a small child 
his parents removed to Tulare county where he was reared on his father's farm. His edu- 
cation was obtained in the public schools and when young he began learning the ins and outs 
of the stock business. When old enough he took charge of the ranch which has since been 
his home. He now owns one thousand one hundred and twenty-four acres of land, and is en- 
gaged in an extensive stock business, making a specialty of the Aberdeen Polled Angus cattle, 
of which he has over two hundred head. This industry has proved a decided success and he 
is now considered one of the leading cattle men of the county. In 1904 he erected for himself 
a handsome residence of ten rooms which is modern in every way. Running water is piped 
into the house from a two thousand gallon tank which is filled by a windmill. 

Mr. Blair married Miss Susan Brotherton, who was born in Missouri, a daughter of Wil- 
liam Brotherton, who came to California in 1875 and here became an extensive stock man. By 
this marriage six children have been born, as follows : Edith, Ewell. Elsie, Edgar, Ruth and 
Lulu. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blair are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, the for- 
mer being the ruling elder. Fraternally he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of the 
World and in politics is a Democrat.