Thomas P. Lair, farmer, P. O., Slater. Was born in Russell county, Kentucky, 1805, where he was reared and educated until the age of fifteen. He then went to Garrett county, where he farmed for two years, at the close of which he worked for three years at the business of tanner and currier in the establishment of Benjamin Moberly. From there he went to Palmyra, Marion county, and there worked at his trade for six or seven years. In 1837 he moved to Shelby county, Missouri, where he again farmed for fifteen years. In 1830 he was married to Miss Kittie M. Anderson, a native of Kentucky, by whom he had ten children, only three of whom are now living: Elizabeth A. (Mrs. Rawlings), Sarah E. (Mrs. Hatfield), Margaret R. From Shelby county Mr. Lair went to Knox county, where he farmed until 1867, after which he spent one year in Texas, coming to this county in 1869, where he has since resided, engaged in the cultivation of a splendid farm. He has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church for more than a quarter of a century; is strictly conscientious in all of his dealings with his fellowmen, and highly esteemed by all.
