This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Blair, Luther Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2dB.2ACI/2599 Message Board Post: The Ligonier, PA "Echo" issue of 14 January 1903, p. 1, col. 7 Death of Samuel Swan Blair. Died at his home in Franklin county, Kansas, three miles northeast of Greeley, on Sunday morning, December 21, 1902, Mr. Samuel S. Blair in the 74th year of his age. For a number of years Mr. Blair had been afflicted by rheumatism and other bodily troubles and at the time of his wife's death was really an invalid. Services were held at the home the morning of the 23rd, where many friends and neighbors were congregated to take part in the ceremonies. The remains were interred in the Greeley cemetery, where but a short time before had been laid to rest his beloved and affectionate wife. Four daughters survive him. Mr. Blair was a native of Westmoreland county, Pa., and was of Scotch parents. Early in life, when the gold excitement was at its height he went to California in pursuit of the golden treasure. He went by way of the Isthmus and spent about three years in mining and prospecting. After leaving California he again returned to his native home in Pennsylvania. In the spri! ng of 1858 he came to Kansas, settling near the present homestead and pre-empting a quarter section of land. In '59 he returned to Pennsylvania and married Catherine Luther. In 1860 he returned to Kansas, bringing with him his young wife and settled on the open piece of land first alluded to. Leaving this at an early period he settled upon the place, then open prairie, which became the final homestead of the family. He was an affectionate husband, a loving father, a true friend, a good neighbor and the greatest of all "he was a good man." --Exchange ________________________________________________