ADAIR BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== ADAIR, Clay - b: 1869 Fayette Co, TX source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 292 residence: Clinton, Clinton Twp Clay Adair, the well known postmaster of Clinton, Missouri, is a descendant of pioneer Missouri families on both the maternal and paternal sides. Mr. Adair was born in Fayette County, Texas, August 24, 1869, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Payne) Adair, both natives of Missouri, born at Independence. Joseph Adair was the first male white child born in Independence. He grew to manhood in Jackson County, and when gold was discovered in California in 1849 he made the trip via the overland route with Upton Hayes. After remaining on the coast for two years he returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1851. In 1855 he went to Texas, where he was residing when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted in the Confederate army and after serving two years was discharged. His service was under General Myers. He died in 1904 and his wife died March 13, 1901, and their remains are interred in the Englewood Cemetery in Clinton. Margaret (Payne) Adair was a daughter of A. J. Payne, a pioneer of Independence, Missouri. He died in that locality and later his family started for California and the mother died on the way. To Joseph and Margaret (Payne) Adair were born the following children, Thomas, deceased; John, deceased; Mrs. Mary Wellborn, Chickasha, Oklahoma; A. J. Adair, deceased; Joseph D., deceased; Isaac, resides in Clinton, Missouri; Clay, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Maggie Chapman, deceased; Mrs. Frank Taylor, El Reno, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Ray Wade, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Clay Adair was reared in Texas and educated in the district schools and Ad Ran College at Thorpe Springs, Texas. In early life he was engaged in the cattle business in western Texas, where he remained until 1888. The family then returned to Henry County, Missouri, and settled on a farm near Calhoun. Here Mr. Adair was engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1896, when he came to Clinton and engaged in the livery business. Two years later he was appointed deputy recorder of deeds for the county and at the death of William Duncan, Mr. Adair was appointed to serve the unexpired term by Governor Dockerty. In 1904 Mr. Adair was elected county treasurer of Henry County, and served one term of two years. He then accepted a position to serve as farm loan examiner for the Prudential Insurance Company, and on March 19, 1914, he was appointed postmaster of Clinton, Missouri, by President Wilson, and re-appointed to that office at the expiration of his first term in 1918. November 22, 1892, Mr. Adair was united in marriage with Miss Ollie M. Gutridge of Calhoun, Missouri. She is a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (Pigg) Gutridge, one of the very early pioneer families of Henry County. A more complete history of the Gutridge family is given elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Adair have been born three children: Eugene D., now serving as deputy circuit clerk of Henry County; Louise N., married T. L. Francisco, Clinton, Missouri, and Mary Margaret, who resides at home with her parents. Mr. Adair is one of Henry County's foremost citizens and a capable and efficient public official. He has ever been true to any public trust delegated to him. He is public spirited and takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the betterment and upbuilding of the county and its institutions. ==================================================================== ADAIR, Isaac - b: 1866 Gonzales Co, TX source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 829 residence: Clinton, Clinton Twp Isaac Adair of Clinton, Missouri, has been identified with Henry County all his life and is a member of a pioneer family of western Missouri. He was born at Gonzales County, Texas, in 1866, a son of Joseph and Margaret (Payne) Adair. Joseph Adair, the father, was a native of Missouri and the first male child born at Westport, which is now a part of Kansas City, Missouri. He saw much of pioneer life on the plains in the early days. In 1849 he joined the great host of gold seekers in the rush to the Pacific coast, making the trip overland to California with ox teams. He died at Kansas City, Missouri, in 1908, and his wife died in 1904, and their remains are interred in Englewood Cemetery. To Joseph and Margaret (Payne) Adair were born the following children: Thomas, deceased; John R., deceased; Abner, deceased; Joseph, deceased; William, deceased; Isaac, the subject of this sketch, and Clay, postmaster of Clinton, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. Isaac Adair received his education in Texas, attending Adrand College, Hood County, Texas. The Adair family moved to western Texas and for ten or twelve years the father was engaged in the cattle business in that section of the country, which at that time was considered in the heart of the wild and unsettled west. When they resided there Geronimo's band of Indians caused considerable trouble, and two of the cowboys on the Adair ranch, Dick Mays and Mont Dry, were killed by the Indians. About twenty-five years ago Isaac Adair returned to Henry County and since that time has been interested in the livery business. He was elected sheriff in 1900, serving until 1905. Mr. Adair was united in marriage in 1888 to Miss Alice Sue Bowman, a daughter of Dr. A. R. and Maria (Riley) Bowman, pioneer settlers of Henry County, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Adair have been born the following children: Earl Howard, a rural mail carrier, Clinton, Missouri; John, assistant postmaster at Clinton, Missouri, and he has recently been appointed a member of the post office examining board. Mr. Adair is one of the substantial business men of Clinton and the Adair family is well known and highly respected. ==================================================================== ADAIR, James Walter - b: 1875 Shawnee Twp, Henry Co, MO source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 791 residence: Shawnee Twp James W. Adair, a leading farmer and stockman of Shawnee township, belongs to a family of Henry County pioneers. He was born on the farm where he now resides in Shawnee township, April 17, 1875. He is a son of Isaac and Nancy (Slayton) Adair. Isaac Adair was born in Henry County and spent his life here. He died in 1878 at the age of thirty-three years, and his wife departed this life in 1882, and their remains rest in the Carrsville Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Dora B. Mashburn, who resides at Grant's Pass, Oregon; Mrs. Maude Ross, who is now deceased, and James W., the subject of this sketch. James W. Adair was reared in Henry County and educated in the public schools. He began life as a farmer, which has been his occupation to the present time. He is a successful stockman and raises cattle, hogs and mules extensively. He owns two hundred eight acres of land in Shawnee township, not far from the Johnson County line. This is a valuable farm and was formerly known as the James Slayton farm. James Slayton settled here about 1839, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of W. T. Slayton. Mr. Adair's residence is a commodious eight room structure and is built on a natural elevation, which gives the place an imposing appearance and offers a splendid view to the surrounding country from the residence. It is one of the attractive places of the county. January 3, 1905, James W. Adair was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Waugh, daughter of John and Julia Ann (Hamilton) Waugh of Big Creek township, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Adair have been born four children, as follow: James, Jr., Julia Everett, Joseph Arthur and Martha Elizabeth, all residing at home. Mr. Adair is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Clinton, Missouri. He is one of the public spirited and enterprising men of the community and one of Henry County's leading citizens. ==================================================================== ADAIR, William - b: 1831 Fleming Co, KY source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 660 residence: Shawnee William Adair, section 14, is among the prominent farmers and stock raisers in this county. He is a son of Abner J. and Mary (Adkins) Adair, natives of Kentucky. William was the third in a family of eleven children, and was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, January 26, 1831. While he was a child his parents removed to Missouri and settled in Jackson County, where he grew to manhood on a farm. In 1849 he went to California, and was engaged in mining and stock raising until 1851, when he returned to Missouri. After remaining a short time he took a trip to New Mexico, but a few months later located again in Jackson County where he followed farming until 1854, then he came to Henry County. His farm is one of the best improved in the county, and contains 870 acres, surrounded and sub- divided with good fences. His fine residence was built in 1877, at a cost of $3,000. Mr. Adair is one of the leading stock men of the state, and owns a fine herd of Short Horns, and feeds a large number of the best cattle shipped from this market. He is also interested in two large stock ranches in the state of Texas. He belongs to the Baptist Church, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. March 17, 1853, he married Miss Dorcas A. Fuqua, a native of Kentucky, born June 20 1831. They have four children living, Susa Ann, Emma, Henry Clay and Canarisa. They have lost six: Martha E., Francis M., Laura, Johnnie and two infants. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================