Michael O'Hair, Jr.

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"MICHAEL O'HAIR (deceased), was born in Montgomery Co., Ky. on the 10th day of July 1801; at an early age, he moved to Morgan Co., Ky., where he was married November 16, 1820, at the age of 20 to Miss Lucretia Boyles, who survives him, remarkably stout and healthy for one of her age, and considering the hardships she has passed through, which were common to the first settlers of new countries. In October 1825, he started for Illinois with his wife and two children, making the journey of 250 miles on horseback with four common horses, two of them rigged with pack-saddles, and, on the 28th of same month landed on the farm which he owned at the time of his death, five miles south of Paris, on Big Creek. He was twice elected sheriff of the county, and held offices voted him by the people for over thirty years. By his energy, decision of character, and benevolence, he soon became well known to the early settlers of this county; he took an active part in every public enterprise, and aided in carrying out many valuable improvements; he aided in building churches and schools; his house was called "The Preacher's Tavern," and, the poor were ever kindly treated by him; he had an abiding faith in the truths of Divine revelation; Mr. O'Hair was a man of positive character, intruded his opinions upon no one, and claimed the right of every man thinking for himself; he read much, and was well posted on the political events as they passed, and, up to the commencement of his illness, studied the events of the times, political and moral, with deep interest; he was a kind and sympathizing neighbor and friend ever ready to aid where help was needed, and never spared time nor money to relieve the distressed; as he himself well said, in his letter read at the Old Settlers meeting at Paris, 4^th of July 1873: "I have always tried to do my duty, as I understand it; 'to err is human'; if at any time I have failed to do my duty, it has been an error of the head and not of the heart. And now, comrades, old settlers, I hope that our last days may be our best days; that when we are summoned to go hence, to give an account of the deeds done in the body, may we be fully prepared to meet the welcome plaudit, where we shall forever enjoy the society of each other, and forever be free from the cares of this world." Mr. O'Hair was a man of unswerving honesty, and faithfully discharged the responsibilities committed to his trust. He had a family of ten children, five of whom are now living (1879)-- John W., William S. (who represented this county in the legislature), Jesse, Daniel B., and Sibby N. (Now Mrs. A. J. Baber of Paris). Mr. O'Hair died March 16, 1875, and his remains are interred in Swango Cemetery.

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Other children than those named as living were James, Elizabeth, Caroline, and _____________."[1]

[1] Taken from "The Edgar County History of 1879, Illinois."