US Blair, Austin - Governor, MI

Austin “The War Governor” Blair

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Blair.jpg


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)​
James Hunter Blair 1847 – 1847​
(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​
George H. Blair 1850 – 1904​
(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​
Charles A. Blair 1854 – 1912​
(Buried: Mount Evergreen Cemetery, Jackson, Michigan)​

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

Education:


Attended Cazenovia Seminary​
Attended Hamilton College​
1837: Graduated from Union College​

Occupation before War:

1841 – 1842: Attorney in Tioga County, New York​
1842 – 1844: Attorney in Eaton Rapids, Michigan​
Eaton County, Michigan County Clerk​
1844 – 1852: Attorney in Jackson, Michigan​
1846 – 1849: Michigan State Representative​
1846: Successful in effort to abolish Capital Punishment in Michigan​
Advocate and Introduced legislation for black citizens rights to vote.​
1848: Michigan Delegate to Free Soil Party National Convention​
1853 – 1854: Prosecuting Attorney for Jackson County, Michigan​
1854: Participated in organization of the Republican Party.​
Chairman of Committee for drafting Republican Party Platform.​
1855 – 1856: Michigan State Senator​
1860: Michigan Delegate to Republican Party National Convention​

Civil War Career:

1861 – 1865: Governor of Michigan​
Recommended offering President Lincoln all Michigan Military resources.​
1861: Called for ten companies of Volunteers for Union Cause.​
Helped to raise $10,000.00 to organize and equip union soldiers.​

Occupation after War:

1867 – 1873: United States Congressman from Michigan​
1867 – 1871: Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee​
1867 – 1869: Member of House Militia Committee​
1868: Voted to impeach President Andrew Johnson​
1869 – 1873: House Chairman of Private Land Claims​
1869 – 1871: Member of House Revisal of the laws Committee​
1869 – 1871: Ranking Member of House Ways and Means​
1872: Choose not to be a candidate for reelection to U.S. Congress.​
1872: Unsuccessful Liberal Republican Candidate for Governor​
1873 – 1894: Attorney in Jackson, Michigan​
1881 – 1889: Member of Board of Regents University of Michigan.​
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
 
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