BIO: Webster T. BAIR, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ W. T. BAIR. If all journalists allowed a keen sense of honor, and a due regard for the public welfare, to dictate the contents of their columns; if evil were not emphasized, and the records f the various classes of "degenerates" were not constantly spread before the world to impress the minds of the morbid and the vicious, can we doubt that crime would speedily grow less? It is refreshing to find in the scholarly editor of the Philipsburg Daily Journal, a man whose conscience is recognized as a guide even in the "sanctum sanctorum." And who would prefer to lose a subscriber, if necessary, rather than to lower the moral tome of his bright, clean, and progressive paper. Perhaps Mr. Bair derives his sturdy inde- 456 COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. pendence in the cause of right from the ancestors who through past centuries breathed the pure air of Alpine heights in their home in Switzerland. Coming to this country in Colonial times, the less remote members of his line became prominent among the pioneers of Lancaster county, Penn., and his grandfather, Abraham Bair, a native of that county bore the title of "Squire" (which then meant much), for many years. He passed a long life in agricultural pursuits, being more than eighty years of age when he passed to the unseen world. D. H. Bair, our subject's father, was born in Lancaster county in 1828, and was engaged in, and identified with, mercantile business for many years, and is now living in Philipsburg. He has always taken keen interest in public affairs, and in politics is a Democrat. His wife, Catherine Long, was born in 1832, and is also living. She belongs to one of the old Pennsylvania-Dutch families, her ancestors having been among the first settlers in Germany Valley, Huntingdon county. They were Dunkards in religious faith. Her father, Judge John Long, associate judge of Huntingdon county, was a prominent merchant and land holder, owning several farms in that county. He died at the age of eighty-two years. Our subject was one of a family of six children, of whom, four lived to mature age, viz.: J. Frank, Webster T., William L., and Harry H., all now engaged in different departments of the Philipsburg Journal. W. T. Bair was born in Huntingdon county, June 26, 1859, and received his early education in the public schools at Mount Union. He had a clear perception as to his proper vocation, and lost no time in preparing for it by learning the printer's trade. In the fall of 1874 he established the Mount Union Herald, which he afterward sold. He then purchased the Mount Union Times, but two years later went to Philipsburg to take charge of the Journal, then a weekly paper. In July, 1881, after two years an manager, he became its proprietor and has ever since continued to give it his close attention as editor. Under his care it has prospered; on November 1, 1888, he added a daily edition, and the result has justified his confidence in its growing popularity. It is independent in politics, and Mr. Bair's determination to exclude all news of prize fights or other demoralizing matter has made of it a paper that may safely be placed in any home. In 1881 Mr. Bair was married in Shirleysburg, Penn., to Miss Annie M. Elliott, who was born in Franklin county, Penn., and was reared by an aunt. Four children bless this union: Viola, Edna, Ethel and Joyce. Progressive and liberal in his views, Mr. Bair is interested in all phases of our common life. Since 1885 he has been a Prohibitionist in politics, and he has always been active in various religious and philanthropical movements. He is a leading member of the M. E. Church, and for years has served as secretary of the board of trustees, while he is a prominent worker in the Epworth League, and is now president of the Altoona District League, also recording secretary of the Central Pennsylvania League. 1900 Philipsburg Borough, Centre County census - Webster Bair, 40 Annie W. Bair, 40 Viola E. Bair, 18 Edna Bair, 15 Ethel Bair, 12 Joyce Bair, 8