James A. Blair was raised in the iron and steel towns of Vandergrift, Apollo and Leechburg. He attended Leechburg schools. He began a career in law enforcement in 1927 with the Pennsylvania Highway Patrol. His first assigned barracks was in Curwensville. In 1929 he was promoted to corporal and placed in charge of the Parnassus substation. Less than a year later he was promoted to Sergeant, becoming commanding officer of the Pittsburgh District. In 1936 the Highway Patrol merged with the State Police and became the Pennsylvania Motor Police. The Motor Police changed its name back to State Police in 1943. During and after this restructuring Sergeant Blair was Commandant of various police barracks in Western Pennsylvania. His tenure with these police agencies included tours of duty in Homewood, Butler, Greensburg, Indiana, Ebensburg and Somerset.
In 1959 he retired from the State Police and was appointed Chief County Detective of Somerset County. In 1965 he returned to state employment in Harrisburg as Chief of Law Enforcement for the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, retiring in 1977 due to ill health. His accumulated experience in law enforcement was extensive, covering nearly a half century.
On April 19, 1929 he married Mildred Sarah Harrold of Greensburg and they had four children; namely: Lois Jean, Peggy Ann, Sondra Jill and James Edward.
After a transfer to Somerset in 1947 the town became the family's permanent place of abode. Sarge Blair's concern for the people of Somerset County was deep and constructive help was his primary interest for those in troubled situations.
He served as Master of Somerset Lodge 358 F & AM, Grand Tall Cedar of Lebanon of Westmoreland Forest No. 77, President of Somerset County Shrine Club. He was also a member of Jaffa Shrine of Altoona, Coudersport Consistory and the Greensburg Church of the Brethren.
Family links:
Parents:
William Edward Blair (1869 - 1936)
Anna Della King Blair (1870 - 1938)
Spouse:
Mildred Sarah Harrold Blair (1908 - 1990)*
Children:
Lois Jean Blair (1931 - 1994)*
Sondra Jill Blair (1938 - 1939)*
Siblings:
Thomas Edward Blair (1900 - 1945)*
Eloise Blair Helmick (1902 - 1983)*
Margaret Blair Gailus (1904 - 1986)*
James Albert Blair (1905 - 1982)
Queen L. Blair Barbiaux (1907 - 1998)*
Frederick L. Blair (1909 - 1986)*
*Calculated relationship
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=60558258
