Jackson V. Blair
(Prominent Attorney & Respected Doddridge Co. Citizen)
It has been said that no man in West Union was ever liked more or respected as much as Jackson V Blair.
Mr. Blair achieved great distinction at the bar. He made a highly respected name for himself as a public-spirited citizen and was dedicated to promoting new business in the county’s only incorporated town.
He was born in Harrison County, VA (now WV) on April 16, 1853, to George B. and Harriet Morgan Blair.
Jackson V Blair’s family was a proud and distinguished part of Virginia and West Virginia’s history. The name of his great-grandfather, William Blair, appears in the first deed book of Harrison County, VA (WV). His mother’s father was Morgan Morgan, who descended from the famous Indian fighter, David Morgan, and was closely related to General Daniel Morgan.
At the tender age of eleven, Mr. Blair’s mother, Harriet, died on February 4, 1864. Soon after the death of his mother, Jackson V. Blair began to make his own way in life. He worked as a farmhand for a time and attended school during the winter months. During the wet days of summer, he would study his books revealing his determination to achieve an education.
At the age of seventeen, he came to Doddridge County, where he engaged as a laborer on the works of Captain Donohue and Judge Chapman J. Stuart. The following winter, he taught school and continued to teach school and work as a laborer until 1837. He later enrolled at the State Normal School at Fairmont. He finished the course and received a diploma in June of 1875 and returned to Doddridge County where he was elected Superintendent of free schools.
The schools prospered so well under his direction that although he was a Democrat in a Republican County, the people recognized his worth and re-elected him for another two-year term. He taught at the Weston Academy for one term and in 1876, he served as principal of the West Union Grade School. He also served as chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Doddridge County for 12 years.
In the meantime, and at the suggestion of Judge Chapman J. Stuart, he studied law with the Judge. He was examined by Judges Charles S. Lewis, Okey Johnson, and James M Jackson Jr. who licensed him to practice law on May 22, 1877.
Blair then joined Judge Chapman J. Stuart as a partner in his law firm. He remained a partner with the Judge until the spring of 1886 when he set out to create his own practice. He was part of some of the most important cases in the county, both criminal and civil.
Gov. A. B. Fleming appointed Blair Judge Advocate of the First Regiment of the West Virginia National Guards with the rank of major. He attended the dedication of the World’s Fair buildings with Gov. A. B. Fleming. After the end of Gov. Fleming’s term, Blair resigned his position. He was also a stockholder and attorney for the West Union Bank.
Jackson V. Blair married Miss Ella Maria Smith on Jan. 23, 1879. She was the daughter of Capt. F. M. F. and Julia Ann Smith, and granddaughter of Matthew Neely.
Mr. and Mrs. Blair were parents to eight children, Julia, Smith, William Eldridge, Annie, Jackson V., Jr., George Neely, and Francis Keach, Marion R. Van Buren Blair.
Jackson Van Buren Blair was an American in the truest sense. He was always spoken well of both on the street and in the local and neighboring newspapers.
In 1896 during the Democratic Convention held in Middlebourne, Tyler, Blair was nominated for Judge of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. He chose to decline the position.
He was a member of the Free Masons and a Knight Templar, Thirty-second degree, Scottish Rite, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a member of the I.O.O.F., Knights of Pythias, and O.U.W. orders.
When Mr. Blair was asked about his successes, he always credited it to his formal education as well as his independent study of his industry and the devotion of a great wife, the patronage of a good people among whom he lived, and the indulgence of his Creator.
Sadly, the Jackson Van Buren Blair home stood empty on the corner of Court and Church St. in West Union for several and fell into ruin. It was torn down last year. The site is now an empty lot. As you can see from the photo, it was a strong and stately home at the time he and his family lived there, a testament to the character of the man.
Jackson Van Buren Blair died on April 11, 1936, in his beloved hometown of West Union at the age of eighty-two. He was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, which is one of the multiple cemeteries known now as the Blockhouse Hill. His life should be an inspiration to all of us. His life depicts an ordinary man with extraordinary strength of character who, through long hours of back-breaking farm work and the study of his books during his off hours, was able to accomplish so much while maintaining the favor and respect of his family and friends, indeed all of the people who knew him.
God Bless his memory.
Patricia Richards Harris, President
Doddridge County Historical Society