Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 718.
 
JOHN ADAIR

     John Adair had nearly attained the age of eighty years when he passed from
the scene of earthly activity.  He was a Harvard man who was numbered with those
who were active in introducing into the west the culture and ideals of the east.
The value of his influence and his labors cannot be overestimated.  He was born
in Kentucky, August 8, 1808, representing one of the distinguished and prominent
families of the south.  His parents were John and Catherine (Palmer) Adair, the
former at one time governor of Kentucky.  He was reared under a most refining
home influence and after acquiring his early education in the schools of his
native state went to Harvard University where he took up the study of law, being
then admitted to the bar.  In 1848 he was sent by the United States government
to the west to fill the position of collector of customs for the Pacific coast,
with headquarters at Astoria.  He came by way of Panama, crossing the Isthmus,
where he was obliged to live for six weeks, waiting for a vessel that would
bring him northward.  At length he reached his destination and soon afterward
took up a donation claim near Astoria.  This he improved and one the place spent
the rest of his day.  He remained in the office of collector of customs for
twelve years.  He contributed also to the agricultural development of the
district, while his influence as a cultured man of high ideals was of marked
benefit to the pioneer settlement in which he took up his abode.  He passed away
in 1888, while his wife survived until 1893.
     John Adair married Mary Ann Dickinson of Kentucky, and they became the
parents of thirteen children, nine of whom were born in Kentucky.  Three of the
children died in infancy and six of them came with their parents to Nebraska.
Henry Rodney Adair, grandson of John Adair, was killed June 21, 1916, while
serving with the United States troops in Mexico under Captain Boyd.
     Mr. Adair was a democrat and was reared in the Presbyterian faith but later
in life became affiliated with the Episcopal church.  He was also a Mason.

 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2010 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.