Miles McDonough McNair Death Notice
McNair Block | A Miles McNair Legacy | Brodhead, WI
via Brodhead Register
November 5, 1913
"Mr. Miles McDonough McNair died at his home in the city on Sunday, October the 26th, in his ninetieth year. He was born on September 2, 1823, at Oakland, Livingston Co., New York, the eldest son of Charles W. and Mary Avery McNair and the second child in a family of ten of which he was the surviving member. His boyhood was spent in Livingston County. In his early manhood he spent considerable time at Albany and Whitehall, N. Y., at which latter city he was married on January 29, 1850, to Elizabeth Lozer.
Three children were born to this union none of whom survive.
In the spring of 1851 he came to the then new state if Wisconsin, the journey being made around the lakes on a sailing vessel.
His first residence was in Fond du Lac Co., but shortly after he removed to the town of Decatur, Green County, in the year of 1853, the present site of the city of Brodhead being at that time an unbroken prairie.
Here on March 27, 1856, his wife passed away. On October 6, 1859, he was married to Elizabeth Melendy of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, their first home being on a farm in Spring Valley, which is now the Edward McNair property on the County line.
After a residence of some five years in Spring Valley and Brodhead, he removed to Janesville, returning to this city in the summer of 1868, since which time this has been his continuous home.
In early life Mr. McNair was a carpenter in which trade he was a skilled workman. Shortly preceding the civil war period he traveled in the south in the interests of the McCormick Reaper works and during the 70's was also a traveling salesman for agricultural implements.
For a short time in the 80's, he conducted a furniture business in this city and then retired from active business interests busying himself for the remainder of his life in the management of various real estate holdings.
The welfare of his home town was always near to his heart and he took a lively interest in all things that made for its progress. Among civic matters he devoted much time and thought to the laying out and beautifying of Greenwood Cemetery serving for many years as Treasurer of its association. Many of the beautiful trees along its avenues as well as in other localities of the town were set out by his hands. To the material growth of Brodhead he contributed substantial residences and a business block and in an early day assumed the initiative in many projects which his indomitable will and energy carried to completion.
July 6, 1910, his companion of more than 50 years preceded him to the other life. He is survived by one son, W. Grant, of New York, and two daughters, Miss Grace, of Brodhead, and Mrs. Frances Perry, of Wauwatosa.
Funeral services were conducted at his late home on Tuesday afternoon, October the 28th, the Rev. J Lloyd Smith, pastor of the Congregational Church officiating. The song service was by Mesdames D. C. Collins and W. F. Schempp. Interment was private and occurred on Wednesday in Greenwood Cemetery."
Sources
- Miles Obituary published in the Brodhead Register, November 5, 1913 - copy purchased from the Wisconsin Historical Society
- McNair Block image via Brodhead Historical Society
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