BIO:  John Bair, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/york/
_______________________________________________ 

History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
_______________________________________________ 

Part II, Biographical Sketches, Lower Chanceford Township, Pg 121

JOHN BAIR, son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Bair, natives of Lancaster County, 
Penn., was born May 25, 1816, in Lancaster County, where he was reared and 
educated.  In 1845 he came to York Furnace, Lower Chanceford Township, and 
engaged in the manufacture of charcoal iron, and conducted a general merchandise 
business.  In 1850 he added to his other business lumber manufacturing, saw-
milling and lime burning, and in 1855 he added the sale and purchase of grain, 
phosphates and general railroad merchandise.  In 1855 he began the subscription 
and erection of the York Furnace Bridge, being president of the company.  The 
bridge was destroyed in 1857 by ice and wind.  Mr. Bair was married, in 1855, to 
Susan Groff, of Lancaster County, daughter of David Groff.  They had two 
children:  Robert Cabeen and Lizzie.  In 1863 Mr. Bair accepted a position on the 
staff of Maj. R. W. Shenk, Pennsylvania Volunteers.  He is a Knight Templar.