Blair Cemetery
Buell
1853
The following information was generously supplied to me by Jon Ridgeway. A big thank you to Jon for offering to share not only the transcription of the cemetery but the wonderful notes included with it.
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This cemetery, on a corner of the Donation Land Claim of Thomas Rainey Blair, is on a rise just north of where Mill Creek crosses Harmony Road, north of Buell. It includes several Oregon Trail pioneers, including Thomas Rainey Blair (1845), John Ridgeway (1845), Isaac Hinshaw (1845), Emeline and Melinda Buell (1847), William Savage (1850). Through marriage, inheritance and original DLC, the Ridgeway family also has used this as a family cemetery. Mrs. Thomas R Blair and Mrs. Isaac Hinshaw were sisters. It is a peaceful, well wooded lot, with the sounds of birds and the distant running water of Mill Creek.
1 BASTIAN
Timothy Wayne Monica Marie
June 25 1966 Sept 18 1969
Sept 6 1994
Forever Young – Forever Together
(A member of the Stout family)
2 STOUT
(rock) Lee Stout
Carl L. Stout
1920-1940
(Middle name Laurence; aged 20 years, 2 days)
Theodore R. Stout
1938-1951
Raymond Roy Stout
Iowa
Pvt. Co. I 16 Inf 42 Div.
World War I
March 26 1890-April 23, 1966
Anna Stout
Mar 21 1899 Oct 15 1981
3 SAVAGE
William Savage
(upright stone)
Sept 18, 1826
Sept. 20, 1896
[William Savage, born 1826 in Oswego Co. New York, has a biography in History of the Pacific Northwest .Arrived OR 15 Apr 1850, had DLC 3306. Married Sarah Brown on July 30, 1854 in Yamhill Co, Oregon, Sarah was born Feb 4, 1838 in Sangamon Co, ILL. Sarah & William divorced in 1883 and William married Mary Christina “Tena” Lady on Dec. 20, 1883. He died Sep 19 1896 – Not sure of any relationship other than neighbor to others in this cemetery..]
Irving Savage
Born Jan. 11, 1828
Died March 9, 1877
Infant son of Wm & S. Savage (upright stone)
Born Feb. 23, 1866
Eugene Savage (upright)
Born Jan 13 1861
Died Apr 20 1863
4 RIDGEWAY
Kenneth Gregory Walls
Oct. 2, 1981
Mar. 28, 1982
“But I will see you again”
(son of Mary Ridgeway Walls, g-g-g-grandson of John and Tabitha Ridgeway)
Mary E. Ridgeway
1859-1944
(dau. Of John and Tabitha Ridgeway)
Charles N. Ridgeway
1854-1929
(Son. Of John and Tabitha Ridgeway, b. Dec. 1854, d. July 28, 1929; never married)
14
SAVAGE
Alvin Savage
Dec. 2, 1884
Apr. 19, 1887
15 BLAIR
Richard Rainey Blair
1886-1961
[Richard Rainey Blair, son of Cyrus and Elizabeth L. (Miller) Blair, grandson of Thomas Rainey and Emeline (Buell) Blair.]
Vickie Blair Robert E. Blair
1954- 1934-1998
“Here rests a woodman of the world”
BLAIR
Cyrus
1859-1925
At Rest
Elizabeth L.
1869-1937
[Cyrus Blair, b. January 01, 1859 in the T.R. Blair house, Polk Co., married Elizabeth L. Miller August 16, 1885; he died June 17, 1925.]
Clyde Blair
1912
Barney Miller Blair
1896-1899
Cyrus U. (upright with shoe on top)
Son of C. & E.L. Blair
Born July 12, 1888 Died Feb. 21, 1892
“Suffer little children to come unto me.”
BLAIR
16 James (Ridgeway)
[Not positive who this is, but possibly son of John & Tabitha b. 1861.]
22 Mother 1944
23 Father 1929
[Not clear who is here; only dates of death I find to match were for single people.]
24 Ridgeway
25 Elizabeth (Ridgeway)
[Not positive who this is. Possibly daughter b. 1850 of John &Tabitha Ridgeway. Marriage Records of Polk Co., Or. (SPL # R929.37953) records the marriage of Joseph Black of Yamhill Co. to Liza Jane Ridgeway, 20 Sep 1868, at the house of John Ridgeway, witness William Ridgeway and John Morris, G.B. Savery, J.P.]
26 Tabitha (Ridgeway)
[Wife of John Ridgeway, pioneer of 1845, b. 1821 KY, d. November 05, 1877; her maiden name was Willson. ]
27 John (Ridgeway)
[John Ridgeway, DLC 3593, b. 1809 Lincoln Co. KY, arrived OR 1 Nov 1845, m. Tabitha 22 Apr 1836 Sangammon Co. IL, d. October 22, 1871. Possibly in the Lost Meeks/Bluebucket gold group of 1845.]
28 Barbara C. Turpin
Sept. 10, 1921- Mar. 10, 1971
[Barbara Cecile Walker, b. September 10, 1921, married William W. Hampton ; married George Edward Turpin; died March 10, 1971. Daughter of Hugh and Velna Mae (Blair) Walker, granddaughter of Cyrus and Elizabeth L. (Miller) Blair, great-granddaughter of Thomas Rainey and Emeline (Buell) Blair.]
29 WALKER
Hugh H. married Velna M.
1889-1971 1890-1966
[Velna b. September 24, 1890, daughter of Cyrus & Elizabeth(Miller) Blair]
30 (2 plain markers)
(infant daughter of HH & Velna Walker)
31 Our Baby (upright stone)
son of HH & Velna Walker
32 Edith G. Blair
1885-1958
33 Beloved Mother
Alice S. Cameron
Sept. 2, 1949- Nov. 24, 1975
(daughter of David & Loisel (Blair) Cameron)
34 Lloyd R. Blair
1881-1942
(Lloyd was b. June 28, 1881, son of Thomas Rainey Blair & Emeline (Ramsey Cosand) Blair, and d. April 23, 1942.)
35 Vernie Irene
Dau. Of T.E. and Maggie Blair
Died Jan. 26, 1891, Aged 10 months, 23 days
36 Nathan Blair
1852-1925
[ Nathan, b. May 29, 1852 at the Blair home in Polk Co., d. January 24, 1925 at the home of his brother Thomas Elias Blair. His parents were Thomas Rainey and Emeline (Buell) Blair. He never married. He was a blacksmith and an inventor. He invented and built a lawnmower, a lever adjustable harrow, a center draft beam plow, and a one man felling saw. He also built a table for Sarah Ann; this item was donated to the Hoover House in Newberg. He built the farmhouse in Buell for his sister Matilda Jane. Nathan also painted a picture of the Blair house. ]
37 “Farewell” on upright stone
Thomas R. Blair
Died March 16, 1884
Aged 65 Ys, 4 Ms 27 ds
“Here is the patience of the saints. Here are they that keep the commandments of
God, and the faith of Jesus.”
[Thomas Rainey Blair, b. October 18, 1818 in Hampshire Co., (West) Virginia, was an orphan at 9, believed to have been raised by two aunts. No record of his parents names, but census records state his father was born in Ireland. He married Emeline Buell, pioneer of 1847, (b. Feb 25, 1829) in Polk Co., Or. on June 11, 1850. He served as justice of the peace, postmaster, and school director. He died March 16, 1884, and is buried with his wife in the Blair/Ridgeway cemetary on a bluff above Mill Creek, north of Buell.
The settler's oath signed by Thomas Rainey Blair for Donation Land Claim #3317 states he arrived in Oregon 20 October 1845, and began residing on his DLC on 25 Jun 1848. His obituary in Pacific Christian Advocate, April 3, 1884, states that he emigrated to Missouri in 1839 and from thence to Oregon in 1845. He is listed in the book The Brazen Overlanders of 1845 by Donna Wojcik, as being a part of the wagon train leaving St. Joseph, Mo., led by Wm G. T'Vault.
Other references to him include History of Oregon by HH Bancroft; a booklet The Blair Family by Thomas E. Blair, 1946 ; Oregon Historical Quarterly (OHQ) Vol. 31, pg 305, Vol. 47, pg 448, Vol 54, pg 338, ; The Sheridan Sun January 31, 1980; Polk Co. census records 1850-1880.
There are several conflicting stories and records about T.R. Blair, with family tradition long holding he had come to Oregon in 1843. Ref. the Blair family history by Bernice Blair Ehrlich, the Sheridan Sun article on pages 37A and 38, September 23, 1937, reprinted January 31, 1980, by Gordon Ridgeway. The Oregon Historical Quarterly (OHQ), V. 31, Pg. 305, describes the linch-pin wagon which "brought the Blair family across the plains in 1847." OHQ V. 54, Pg. 338 describes the wagon in the collection of the society as "our covered wagon, the running gears of which brought the T.R. Blair family to Oregon in 1845." However, these records were not contemporary.
While 1845 seems the best verified date, the family tradition could still be true that he came by horseback in 1843 and returned to get an ox team and wagon. Solitary riders were more likely to be left out of the records of a train, which tended to list the man leading each wagon. However, the 1843 pioneers were conscious of their place in history, and took care to list names.
Other records of T.R. Blair include: A) Pg 288, History of the Pacific NW-Oregon and Washington, lists Thomas R. Blair in Garrison's Company during the Cayuse War. B) Census records for Polk Co., Or. for 1850-1880. C) The Brazen Overlanders of 1845, pg. 386 & elsewhere. D) Oregon Historical Quarterly (OHQ) V.31, pg. 305; V. 47, pg. 448; V. 54, pg. 338.]
38 “Farewell” (upright)
Sacred to the memory of Emeline
Wife of Thos R. Blair
Died July 6, 1877, aged 48 Ys, 4 Ms, 11Ds
[Emeline (Buell) Blair was the daughter of Elias and Sarah (Hammond) Buell, pioneers of 1847. The town of Buell was named for Elias, the captain of his 1847 wagon train. By marriage, the Buells are connected to these families: Blair, Carey, Conner, Findley, Hinshaw, McKune, Rowell. ]
39 Blair Children
Cyrus
d. April 11, 1853 aged 6 mo. 11 days
Sarah A. 1863
James Elias 1857
40 (with #48- Hinshaw plot)
41 John Ridgeway
July 8, 1873 – Mar. 31, 1908
“Gone but not forgotten”
42 CAMERON
Loisel E. David D
1922-1987 1921
{Loisel was daughter of William Alexander & Elnora (Branson) Blair.}
43 Lloyd Clark Blair
Washington
Captain 213 Signal Depot Co., World War II
Mar. 30, 1917- July 27, 1971
{Lloyd was the son of Lloyd Rainey and Edith (Summers) Blair.}
44 Thomas R. Blair
Dec 29, 1910- Feb 20, 1971
{This Thomas was son of Lloyd Rainey and Edith (Summers) Blair.}
45 Thos. R. Blair Jr. June 29, 1943
46 Maud- infant child of ET and SC Branson
Died Apr. 11, 1867 Aged 7 Mo 7 days
47 Edward B. – son of ET and SC Branson
Died June 23, 1870 aged 8Ys, 2Ms, 26 Ds
48 (with #40- Hinshaw plot)
Isaac Hinshaw
Died June 27, 1873, Aged 59Ys, 6Ms, 12Ds
Philander
Died May 3, 1855 aged 1 Yr 8 M 19D (or 11 Y?)
Leander
Died May 13, 1855 Aged 6M, 17D
Talman
Died Apr. 18, 1863, aged 7Y, 5M, 1D
Suffroney
Died Nov. 25, 1864 Aged 1Y, 7D
Jason
Died Sep 24, 1868 Age 1Y 1M 22D
Children of I & M Hinshaw
Mother
Melissa Hinshaw
Feb. 27 1831-Mar 9 1923.
[Melissa Buell, daughter of Elias and Sarah (Hammond), went over the Oregon trail with her parents in 1847, married Isaac Hinshaw January 01, 1850. The Hinshaws and Blair descendents had disagreements about the achievements of their ancestors, with both sides making claims that have not been substantiated. Best sources including DLC and obituary indicate that Isaac Hinshaw arrived in Oregon in 1845. ]
49 Henry (upright)
Son of J.M. and V. Davis
Jan. 14, 1869-Feb. 20, 1871
{ John M. & Veronica Davis were parents of Elizabeth Davis, who married and divorced Lindsay Ridgeway, son of John & Tabitha Ridgeway.}
50 Ramon D. Blair
US Navy
Aug. 23, 1924- June 16, 1974
(aged 49 Y, 9M, 23 D)
{Ramon Dean Blair was son of Lloyd Rainey and Edith (Summers) Blair.}
51 J.M. Davis (upright)
Nov. 27, 1830- Nov. 9, 1913
V. Davis
Sept. 14, 1834-Oct. 24, 1921
[John M. Davis, b. November 27, 1830 in MD, married Veronica D.; died November 09, 1913. Father of Elizabeth Davis, who married Lindsay Ridgeway, son of John and Tabitha Ridgeway.
52 Laban Davis
Feb. 24, 1858-Nov. 28, 1921 (or 1901?)
53 Ella
Daughter of J.M. & V. Davis
Dec. 6, 1871-Dec. 15, 1881
54 Teddy A. Ridgeway (upright with Bible on top)
Born Nov. 20, 1901- Died Sept. 14, 1916
{Teddy was son of Joseph Willson & Laura (Reed) Ridgeway.}
55 Laura- wife of J.W. Ridgeway
1864-1918
{Laura, daughter of Samuel & Adelpha Reed, was married July 3, 1883 to Joseph Willson Ridgeway }
56 Joseph Willson Ridgeway
Dec. 10, 1851 Nov. 28, 1921
[Joseph Willson Ridgeway (December 10, 1851-November 28, 1921). Son of Pioneers John Ridgeway and Tabitha (Willson) Ridgeway of Polk Co, OR. Married Laura Reed July 03, 1883 in Yamhill Co. Children Leander Ridgeway, b.September 1883; Kate Ridgeway b. March 1887 m. Mr. Sanders; Dale Ridgeway b. Dec. 1888 m. Reva Merrick;Joseph Ridgeway b. April 1891; Emiel D. Ridgeway b. Apr. 19, 1900; Teddy A Ridgeway b. Nov. 20, 1901.]
57 Emiel Dean Ridgeway
Tec 4 US Army WW II
Apr. 19, 1900- May 18, 1989
58 “Grandma Sadie”
Sadie Ridgeway
Dec. 12, 1918 - Nov. 8, 1995
Much loved
{?}
59 Hilda Hees Rentsch
Jan. 20, 1910 Berlin Germany
Aug 18, 1996
Beloved mother and Oma
60
61
62
Stephen E. Fletcher
{September 20, 1915 - December 12, 2005, husband of Mary Ridgeway
Stewart, who is the great-granddaughter of John and Matilda Ridgeway.
Steve
served in the Army Air Corps in WW II, and had a wonderful sense of humor.
The Fletchers operated a farm on the family DLC south of Mill Creek and
hosted family reunions for years.}
Not found but believed to be buried in cemetery:
Lindsay Ridgeway, Aug 18, 1844-Mar. 15, 1909. Per Death Certificate 898, buried Mar 17, 1909 in Blair Cemetary. Lindsay was a pioneer of 1845, son of John and Tabitha, husband of Elizabeth Davis.
A listing made by “Grandma Blair” before 1958 shows graves not found today. The list includes:
Lindsay Ridgeway
Lloyd Hinshaw
Infant Greer Boy
Kate Stanley
Infant Hinshaw girl
Anderson Hinshaw
Childers
Notes:
Emeline (Buell) Blair was sister to Melissa (Buell) Hinshaw
John M. and Veronica Davis were parents-in-law of Lindsay Ridgeway
Teddy A and Emiel Dean Ridgeway were sons of Joseph and Laura (Reed) Ridgeway
Ramon D Blair was son of Lloyd Rainey and Edith Grace (Summers) Blair
Loisel Cameron was daughter of Lloyd Rainey and Edith Grace (Summers) Blair
Relatives nearby:
Elias and Sarah Buell and relatives are in the Mount Pleasant (Red Hill) cemetary in Polk Co.
William and Matilda Jane (Blair) Ridgeway and some relatives are in the Sheridan Masonic cemetery.
©Jon Ridgeway