BIO: S. J. FAIR, Beaver County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver.html http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/beaver/bios/bbios.htm Index for this bio book. _________________________________________________________________ BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y., Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 270-272. _________________________________________________________________ S. J. FAIR, the genial proprietor of a large general store at Smith's Ferry, Ohio township, has perhaps one of the best arranged and splendidly stocked country stores in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. Some time ago, Mr. Fair purchased the general store of T. L. Minesinger, at Smith's Ferry, and has since carried, on a very successful business. This store is orderly in all its arrangements, and contains a large and very complete stock of groceries, hardware, house furnishings, cutlery, patent medicines, feed, dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, hats and caps, clothing, gent's furnishings, crockery, harness, ploughs, harrows, and all kinds of farm implements. Mr. Fair is special agent for Johnston's Harvester Company's machinery, and carries in stock a thousand and one things necessary in a country store. S. J. Fair was born in Armstrong county, Pa., in September, 1866. He is a son of Philip and Nancy J. (Gregg) Fair, and grandson of John and Susannah (Christman) Fair. John Fair was born in Armstrong county, Pa.. in 1804. He was a descendant of a prom- BEAVER COUNTY 271 inent German family, that settled in Armstrong county in early days. They bought a good-sized farm of forest land. After making a clearing, they built a log house and barns; a part of this farm, - 240 acres of improved land, - was left to the different members of the family. John Fair was instructed in the schools of his native county, but, as was unavoidable in those early days, his schooling was limited. However, he made the most of his opportunities. He learned the art of tilling the soil on the old homestead, which he eventually owned. His marriage with Susannah Christman resulted in the birth of four children, namely: William; Philip; Chambers, who was killed in the Civil War, while serving as drummer; and Susannah (Yerty). John Fair followed general farming until his death, in 1888. Philip Fair, father of the subject of this biography, was born February 26, 1832, in Armstrong county, Pa., one-half mile from the birthplace of S. J., his son. He became a very fair scholar and after leaving school, learned the trade of a stone mason. He worked for his father until he attained the age of twenty-four years. He then bought a farm of sixty-five acres which he cultivated, but still continued to live with his parents until his marriage, in 1860. He was joined in matrimony with Nancy J. Gregg. Nancy was born May 2, 1840, and was a daughter of George Gregg. Eight children resulted from this union, viz: Harvey, a blacksmith; George, a merchant; Annie (Hellam); S. J., subject of this sketch; Charles, an engineer; Ross, Barney, and Claude, the last three -being engaged in mercantile pursuits. After his sons grew up, Philip Fair left the care of the farm to them, and worked at his trade as stone mason. He followed that business as a contractor for about fifteen years. He was a Republican, but had no ambition for office. He was a member of the Lutheran church, of which he was an elder for fifteen years. His death occurred May 4, 1898. S. J. Fair attended public school and became quite proficient in all studies required in a business course. He assisted his father on the farm during summers, and acted as clerk in the general store of his uncle, John Fair, during the winter months. This was continued until his twenty-first year. He then followed contracting and building at Leechburg, Pa., in partnership with one of his brothers. For two years they were very successful. Mr. Fair then sold his interest to his brother and retired from this line of work. In company with his brother George, he bought property and started a bakery and confectionery store. One year later, our subject sold his interest to his brother. Mr. Fair then went to Williamsport, Lycoming county, Pa., and started a similar store, which he conducted for three years. In 1892, he sold his store in Williamsport and moved to New Brighton, Pa., where he opened a grocery store. He did a successful business there for over two years, but finally sold out. He then invested in a dwelling house in New Brighton, which he rents. Soon after he purchased his present store and removed to Smith's Ferry. 272 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES Mr. Fair married Wildia McCracken. She was born in Armstrong county, in 1867, and is a daughter of James McCracken. One child, Margie Ethel, now brightens their home. She was born October 22, 1893. The subject of this narrative is a prominent stockholder in the Iron City Building & Loan Association. He is a Republican, but is too busy for political ambitions. He favors the Presbyterian church. Socially, he is allied with the Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of Glasgow Lodge, No. 485, F. & A. M., and is now passing through the chairs.