blairc
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
CYRIL J.
BLAIR is a farmer residing seven miles north from Washtucna. He was
born in Quebec, Canada, on July 25, 1861. Simon and Mary (Nichols)
Blair, both natives of Canada, were his parents, and they are now living
at Little Falls, Minnesota, having located there in 1867, among the early
pioneers. Upon coming to the state they lived in the town of Little
Falls for four years, then took a homestead near by, upon which they lived
thirty years, after which time they returned to town to pass their declining
years. They were parents of ten children, eight of whom live, Frank,
Simon, Mary, our subject, Mitchel, Peter, John, and Clara. Two died
in infancy.
Mr. Blair in his early
life was denied the advantage of any but the most meager education, and
upon attaining his majority he bought a farm in Minnesota upon which he
lived three years. He sold his interests and came to Spokane, Washington,
in 1888, lived there two years, then returned to Minnesota. Six years
later he came again to Spokane, and for two years he worked at making ties
in the timber near that city, and in 1898 he came to Adams county.
He brought with him all he owned,--an old team and wagon and seven dollars
in money. With this as a nucleus he took a homestead and went to
work to carve his fortune out of the bunch grass prairies of the Big Bend.
The first spring of his life here he plowed land on contract, receiving
one dollar per acre for the work. While thus engaged he was compelled
to cook his own food in the open air and sleep in a nearby straw pile.
The following harvest he made enough money to enable him to erect a cabin
on his claim. However, he did not live on his land that winter, but
went to Spokane where he cut wood to earn money upon which to live the
following spring while doing some plowing and improvement on his homestead.
The following year he harvested eight hundred bushels of wheat, which gave
him a start, since which time he has continued to prosper in a flattering
manner. In 1902 he purchased a section of land and made final proof
on his homestead. He then sold out and removed to his present location,
where he has a section of land all improved and under cultivation.
He raises some stock, and has an excellent orchard, good buildings and
first-class water facilities.
Mr. Blair was married
in 1884, which union was blessed with two children: Frank, deceased; and
Mary L., married to Lee Moore, of Adams county. In 1892, Mr.
Blair was again married, his wife being Minnie Wieczorek, daughter of John
and Christina (Thravic) Wieczorek, natives of Germany. The parents
of Mrs. Blair came to America in 1875 and located in Minnesota, where the
father is now living, the mother having died in 1888. They were parents
of ten children, Emma, Annie, William, deceased, Minnie, Adolph, Mary,
John, and Robert, the others having died in infancy.
To Mr. and Mrs. Blair
have been born three children, Fred, Caroline, and William.
Mr. Blair is a Republican
and takes an active interest in the affairs of his party.
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