My Genealogy Hound

JACOB LAIR, farmer and stock-raiser, section 35, post-office Avilla, is a native of the Empire State, born in Livingston county, Oct. 4, 1819. When he was fourteen years old his parents immigrated to Michigan, and settled in Lancaster county. He was married in Cass county, Mich., Dec. 3, 1846, to Miss Lois B. Davis, a native of Erie county, N. Y. In 1857 they moved to Illinois, locating in Shelby county, and purchased a farm of 200 acres, near Shelbyville, where they lived until 1863, when he sold out and returned to Michigan, living upon the old family homestead ten years. He became a resident of Jasper county in 1873, and purchased a farm of 280 acres of good soil, well improved and nicely situated, two miles south from Avilla and nine miles from Carthage. Markets annually about 1,000 bushels of wheat, produces 500 to 700 bushels of oats, 600 bushels of corn, and 100 acres in meadow and pasture. He has recently purchased a fine steam-power thresher, and with it does a very successful business. The family consists of Preston R., born in Michigan, Jan. 14, 1857, and Ella May, born in Michigan, April 21, 1866. Mr. Lair became identified with the Republican party at its first organization, since which time he has been a strict and consistent party man. Himself and wife have been active members of the New School Presbyterian Church for many years.