Frank Blair
Frank Blair, farmer, manufacturer and dealer in cheese and butter, Mantua, was born January 6, 1846, on the farm where he now lives in this township, and on which his father first settled in 1827, son of Benjamin and Cynthia (Jefferson) Blair, former a native of Blandford, Mass., born December 9, 1802, latter of Wrentham, Mass. Benjamin Blair was brought to Mantua Township, this county, in 1804 by his father,who was land agent here for the early settlers, and who subsequently revisited Massachusetts, but returned to Mantua, Ohio, in 1806, and was accidentally killed while "raising" a cabin in 1807, when Benjamin was but four years of age. Benjamin Blair married, in Mantua, Ohio, May 17, 1827, Cynthia Jefferson, who bore him eight children, four of whom are now living: James J.; Nelson B., died October 28, 1884 (he was married first to Caroline, daughter of Alfred Blair, afterward to Mary Frost); Henry C, died in 1856; Newton, died April 18, 1851; Wallace B., married for his first wife Sarah Eggleston, and for his second married Emma Talbot; Edwin, died in 1844; Austin A., was married October, 1876, to Minnie Hazlet; and Frank. Our subject was married January 22, 1872, to Annie, daughter of Carnot Mason, of Hiram, this county, who was a native of Vermont and parent of ten children, of whom Mrs. Blair is eighth. Mr. and Mrs. Blair have four children: Claud C, Frank B., Harry M. and Nina M. Our subject is a leading citizen of Mantua Township, where he has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of cheese for the past twelve years. He is a F. & A. M., connected with Lodge No. 533, of Mantua. In politics he is a Democrat.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885