Dr. W. D. Lair Pioneer Collin
Physician and State Senator
Daily Courier Gazette date 1936
From Daily Courier-Gazette May 3?, 1929
Born: May 1, 1814
Died: June 8, 1887
A noted character in the early settlement of North Collin and a most important
factor as a citizen, pioneer physician and a supporter of every uplifting
movement for society, was Dr. W. D. Pair, who came to the county in 1857 and
died in 1887. He practiced medicine in the old Mantua and Anna sections
traveling horseback over a wide area of territory. In addition to his
practice he preached some and twice served his district in the State Senate as
law-maker in the upper chamber of the Texas law-making body.
Born in Kentucky.
William Dixon Lair was born May 12, 1814, in Russell County, Kentucky, where he
was reared and educated. he professed religion at the early age of 12 and was
united with the Baptist Church. He was licensed to preach in 1840. When the
church called fro his ordination, he refused to submit on account of lung
affection and continued in his chosen profession in the practice of medicine. He
organized the first Sunday School at Mt. Vernon Church in Kentucky, and was
elected its superintendent. In order to attend he rode five miles every Sunday
to its services.
Also in Kentucky Legislature.
He was a man of pronounced convictions, and natural leadership. These qualities
led to his election as a member of the State Legislature of his native state.
However, in 1857 he decided to leaved Kentucky and emigrate to Texas. He settled
near old Mantua between that pioneer town and where the town of Van Alstyne now
stands. The next year in 1858, he moved
to a farm 1 miles west of where the town of Anna now stands and
established his homestead and reared his family and where he later died. He
immediately untied with the Friendship church, that was later called "Old
Highland." He was chosen moderator of the Sister Grove [Baptist] Association, in
which important capacity he served the association for a number of years. He was
also chosen moderator and presided at the organization of the Collin County
Baptist Association which met in the Baptist Church in McKinney in 1876. He
continued to serve the Collin County Baptist Association thereafter as long as
he lived.
As Practitioner.
Dr. Lair in the meantime pursued the practice of medicine in an active way with
such success that his practice grew and he was called to serve patients
throughout North Collin, Southern Grayson and in a portion of Fannin County. He
went about doing good, healing the sick, restoring the broken health, cheering
the discouraged and despondent, supporting the spirit
of the gospel and encouraging the people among whom he practiced to turn to the
support of the church and respond to the call of spiritual salvation and
redemption. His influence was manifest in every good work, and in many helpful
needs professionally and otherwise throughout a wide scope of territory during
his busy lifetime of practice and professional service.
Elected to Senate.
He was twice elected to the upper house of the Texas Legislature and served as
State Senator with distinction to himself and credit to his district and state.
his first term was from 1863 to 1865, during Gov. Murray's administration. His
second term was served almost twenty years later from 1881 to 1883 under Gov.
Roberts' administration. he made a conscientious
public servant and a capable law-maker. In personal appearance he was dignified
and commanding in physique and personality. In this position he was affable,
genial and of a winning social turn. To see him and to come within the circle of
his acquaintance was to admire him. To know him, was to love him. He loved the
truth and right, as was fearless in expressing his convictions and was a valiant
champion for every uplifting influence. He was a lion in courage for the right,
and yet amiable as a lamb among his associates and the general public. He was
every ready to hear the call of distress and to lend a sympathizing heart and a
helping hand to a needy brother.
A Hospitable Home.
Dr. Lair was a gentleman of the old Southern type, who was born and reared a
courteous considerate gentleman whose hospitality knew no bounds in his home. He
never turned away the hungry, the needy and the stranger from his gate, but took
them in, fed and housed them, ministered to their needs and sent them away happy
and always more inspirited and inspired to pursue with renewed energy their
wearied footsteps along life's journey.
Married Three Times.
Dr. W. D. Lair was thrice married as follows: To Maria D. Haynes. Married Sept
29, 1836. She died in 1845.
His second marriage was to Narissus B. Barger. Married July 23, 1845. She died
December 18, 1858.
Third marriage was to Sallie Jane McWhorter. She was born in Casey County,
Kentucky, in 1837. They were married April 17, 1860, and she died April 10,
1910.
His Children.
Dr. Lair was the father of the following children:
By his first wife-G. H. (Gallon) Lair, born Sept. 29, 1840, and died Jun 15,
1896.
T. C. Lair, born Oct. 9, 1938 and died Nov. 18, 1920.
Children by his second wife - Theodosia Nipp, born May 24, 1846, died April 15
1894; L. C. Lair, born March 24, 1848, died in 1913; Maria Slaughter, born Oct.
12, 1852. She is the wife of Osburn Slaughter and resides with her husband two
and one half miles southwest of Anna; John B. Lair, born Nov. 13, 1858, died
June 212, 1916; W. P. Lair, born Oct. 15, 1850; died April 27, 1929.
Many Descendants.
Dr. Lair lived a useful honored life of service to his fellow man - as a
physician, citizen, law-maker and public servant. He left numerous descendants
and many of them are still living in North Collin and other portions of the
state. These descendants have followed his example on living honored, worthy
lives.
Surname Index
Recommended Citation:
"Dr. W. D. Lair,
EARLY SETTLERS OF COLLIN COUNTY." Collin County, Texas History
and Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13, 2004 ].
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