Frank Trimble O'Hair

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Frank Trimble O'Hair, son of John Henry O'Hair II and Nancy Evelin Swango, was born March 12, 1870 in Edgar County, Illinois and died August 3, 1932.

He was an attorney in Paris, Illinois and was the man who beat "Uncle Joe" Cannon for congressman's job from the Eighteenth Congressional Illinois District, thereby putting an end to "Uncle Joe" Cannon's 22 year reign, in 1912.

He was greatly interested in agriculture and stock breeding and feeding and to aid the farmers he agreed to re­enter political life. At the time of his death he was the Democratic nominee for congress. He had been one of the Democratic leaders in Illinois and a delegate to nearly every Democratic national convention for 25 years.

In the early 1900's he became interested in the family history and made a trip to visit Newry, County Down, Ireland where his great grandfather O'Hair emigrated from about 1775.

He was a man of staple and unpretentious tastes and loved his corncob pipe and "long-green" tobacco.

The following is part of article in the Paris, Illinois newspaper at the time of the death of Frank Trimble O'Hair.

Funeral Services Today at Family Home; Messages of Sympathy Pour In.

Hundreds of friends passed by the bier of the late Hon. Frank T. O'Hair last evening and today, paying their final tribute to counselor and friend and benefactor.

At the residence on West Madison Street the innumerable floral tributes which almost filled the east drawing room, bore evidence of the high esteem in which he was held in the community, district and state. A blanket of pink roses and baby's breath entirely covered the casket.

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At four o'clock this afternoon funeral rites were conducted by the Rev. W. E, Anderson, pastor of the Christian Church, who was assisted by the Rev. John Codd, pastor of the Mattoon Central Church, former Paris minister and Chamber of Commerce secretary.

Mrs. Alan Jay Parrish sang two of Mr. O'Hair's favorite hymns, "Abide With Me," and "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere," with Miss Marie Frey as accompanist.

Friends and relatives numbering between 700 and 1000 assembled in the spacious residence, on the verandas and the lawn. They were ushered by Mrs. Bernie McClain, Mrs. I. N. Cooley, Sr., Mrs. Charles Levings, Miss Katherine Bishop, Don Morris, John Merkle, Jr., Ted Fishback, Asa Greathouse, James Tanner, Lloyd Lamb, Ray Bishop, W. L. Cramer and James Baber.

Active pallbearers were Bruce A. Campbell recent candidate for Democratic nomination for governor of Illinois; Attorney Charles Troup of Danville, Illinois, Edward Craig, Chicago, General counsel of the Illinois Central Railroad; Judge Louis Fitzhenry, Bloomington, Illinois; Attorneys Walter S. Lamon and Frank C. Vansellar, Paris.

The message from Walter W. Williams of Chicago, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce read: "The officers and directors of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce extend to you and yours their deepest sympathy in the loss which you have sustained. We likewise mourn the passing of a friend and a former director."

Edward C. Craig of Chicago, former resident of Mattoon sent the following condolence wire: "Was greatly shocked to hear of Frank's death. It is too bad that men like him cannot live longer. His place cannot be filled. He was my best friend and meant much to me."

From Spring St. Chair of New York came this message of sympathy: "The news of Mr. O'Hair's death received today made me feel as if I had lost a member of my own family. Mr. O'Hair was very kindly, helpful, tolerant, wise and generous. He will be widely missed."