US Blair, Austin - Governor, MI

Austin "The War Governor" Blair​

Born: February 8, 1818

Birthplace: Caroline, New York

Father: George Blair 1786 – 1869

(Buried: Blair Family Burial Ground, Caroline, New York)​

Mother: Rhoda Mann Blackman 1790 – 1874

(Buried: Blair Family Burial Ground, Caroline, New York)​

1st​ Wife: Persis Lyman Unknown – 1844

(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​

2nd​ Wife: Elisabeth Pratt 1820 – 1847

(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​

3rd​ Wife: Sarah Louesa Ford 1824 – 1897

(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​

Children:

Gertrude Blair 1842 – 1842​

(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​

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James Hunter Blair 1847 – 1847​

(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​

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George H. Blair 1850 – 1904​

(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​

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Charles A. Blair 1854 – 1912​

(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​

Political Party: Whig Party, Free Soil Party, Republican Party

Education:

Attended Cazenovia Seminary​

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Attended Hamilton College​

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1837: Graduated from Union College​

Occupation before War:

1841 – 1842: Attorney in Tioga County, New York​

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1842 – 1844: Attorney in Eaton Rapids, Michigan​

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Eaton County, Michigan County Clerk​

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1844 – 1852: Attorney in Jackson, Michigan​

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1846 – 1849: Michigan State Representative​

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1846: Successful in effort to abolish Capital Punishment in Michigan​

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Advocate and Introduced legislation for black citizens rights to vote.​

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1848: Michigan Delegate to Free Soil Party National Convention​

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1853 – 1854: Prosecuting Attorney for Jackson County, Michigan​

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1854: Participated in organization of the Republican Party.​

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Chairman of Committee for drafting Republican Party Platform.​

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1855 – 1856: Michigan State Senator​

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1860: Michigan Delegate to Republican Party National Convention​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1865: Governor of Michigan​

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Recommended offering President Lincoln all Michigan Military resources.​

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1861: Called for ten companies of Volunteers for Union Cause.​

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Helped to raise $10,000.00 to organize and equip union soldiers.​

Occupation after War:

1867 – 1873: United States Congressman from Michigan​

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1867 – 1871: Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee​

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1867 – 1869: Member of House Militia Committee​

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1868: Voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson​

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1869 – 1873: House Chairman of Private Land Claims​

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1869 – 1871: Member of House Revisal of the laws Committee​

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1869 – 1871: Ranking Member of House Ways and Means​

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1872: Choose not to be a candidate for reelection to U.S. Congress.​

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1872: Unsuccessful Liberal Republican Candidate for Governor​

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1873 – 1894: Attorney in Jackson, Michigan​

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1881 – 1889: Member of Board of Regents University of Michigan.​

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1885 – 1886: Prosecuting Attorney in Jackson County, Michigan​

Died: August 6, 1894

Place of Death: Jackson, Michigan

Age at time of Death: 76 years old

Burial Place: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan

 

[Pollaco]

He was a strong opponent of slavery and secession. In the House and Michigan Senate he led the efforts to ban capital punishment and supported efforts to give women and black citizens the right to vote.