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Blair (HENRY WILLIAM American)

HENRY WILLIAM, American legislator, born in Campton, N. H., Dec. 6, 1834; received an academic education; was admitted to the bar in 1859; served through the Civil War, becoming Lieutenant-Colonel of the 15th New Hampshire Volunteers, and being twice wounded. After serving in both branches of the State Legislature he was a member of Congress in 1875-1879 and 1893-1895, and a United States Senator in 1879-1889. He is the author of what was known as the "Blair Common School Bill," designed to distribute a certain amount of Federal money for educational purposes among the various States in proportion to the number of illiterates.

He was a strong opponent of Chinese immigration, and, when he was appointed and confirmed United States Minister to China, that government objected to receiving him. He was an earnest advocate of temperance reform, and wrote much in its behalf.