BIOS: John Robert FAIR, West Salisbury, Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Candace Roth Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ History of Bedford & Somerset Counties, PA; v.3; Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; Lewis Pub. Co., NY/Chicago 1906; ppg. 525/6 John Robert Fair. John Robert Fair, of West Salisbury, is a grandson of Robert Fair, who was born in Belfast, Ireland, and subsequently emigrated to the United States. His son, Conrad Fair, was born in Fairhope township, and was a laborer in the mines, burning the first lime ever consumed in that part of the county. Conrad Fair married Charlotte, daughter of Robert Patton, of Elk Lick township, and their children were: William Henry, married Elnor Snyder; Jennie, wife of Daniel Smalley; John Robert, see forward; Elmer, married Elizabeth Christman; Matthew, married Elizabeth Smalley; Anna, deceased; Avora, wife of Charles Clawson; Christopher C., deceased; Frank, married Ellen Fuller. John Robert Fair, son of Conrad and Charlotte (Patton) Fair, was born April 23, 1861, in Greenville township, and until the age of eighteen attended the public schools of Elk Lick township. During his latter years in school he worked in the coal mines and continued to do so until 1897. From that year until 1902 he was employed in the general store of the Elk Lick supply Company, and in the latter year bought out Frank Clare's hotel at West Salisbury. This building, which was destroyed by fire may 4, 1903, he rebuilt, changing the name to the Hotel Fair. In December, 1905, he leased the Chrystal House at Berlin, which he improved and refurnished, naming it the Hotel Berlin, and of this he is now the proprietor. In addition to this he has interests in the coal business in Somerset county. For seven years he was constable of the borough of Salisbury and also served on the police force. He was formerly a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, is a member of the German Reformed church, and his political affiliations are with the Republicans. Mr. Fair married Emma C., daughter of John A. Kendal, of Somerset county, and the following children have been born to them: William, deceased; Bertha; Cora; Ollie; John, deceased; Asa; and Mary.