Biography - John L. Blair
JOHN L. BLAIR. He is a physician in Abingdon. He was born in Franklin County, PA, on Sept. 18, 1845, the son of James and Mary (Lawton) Blair, the former of Maryland and the latter a native of Ireland. Dr. B. was educated at Dickinson Seminary and Marshall College, PA, preparing himself for the study of medicine. He entered the University of Michigan, after which he went to the University of Maryland where he graduated holding a place in front rank. He has also attended lectures at the Universities of New York and Edinburgh. In a scientific point of view the Dr. has but few equals, which is shown in a clock constructed by him alone in a period of a year, during leisure. As a piece of mechanism it has no equal. In it are combined the sciences of astronomy, anatomy, mathematics and mechanics. It tells the time of day in any part of the world. It explains, longitude and time. There are three skeletons: one strikes the time of day; one plays a tune every hour five minutes before striking; the third represents Father Time. On top of the clock stands two small forts -- Moultrie and Sumter -- mounted with small cannons. Sumter is fired on by Beauregard, giving the date. It also shows the assassination of Lincoln by Booth, who fires at Lincoln and he drops forward. This is only visible the day of the year the President was killed. It also shows any historical scene you may want, and as many. It represents the fall of the southern Confederacy with Jeff Davis in petticoats. Astronomically this clock shows the earth passing around the sun every 365 1/4 days, and on its own axis each day; in passing through its orbit, goes through the twelve constellations or signs of the zodiac, as well as through her seasons she enters her solstices. It shows the moon and all its movements, and all the planets and their movements. Haley's comet is shown and other wonders. He was married to Sadie Ann Anderson on Feb. 27, 1867, who has borne him two children.
Contributed by Joan Achille, extracted from the 1878 History of Knox County, Illinois, published by Charles C. Chapman
