James T. Blair, Jr.

James Thomas Blair, Jr. (March 15, 1902 - July 12, 1962) was a Governor of Missouri. He was a Democrat. [ [http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/blair.html Blair, James Thomas, Jr. (1902-1962)ndash also known as James T. Blair, Jr.] at politicalgraveyard.com] He is to date the only mayor of Jefferson City to have been elected Governor of Missouri although he served as Lt. Governor before becoming Governor.

Early life

Blair was born in Maysville, Missouri in 1902. He was a member of Missouri state house of representatives. Later he was a colonel in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Politics

Blair became the mayor of Jefferson City, Missouri in 1947. He served as the Lieutenant Governor of Missouri between 1949 and 1957. He served as the Governor between 1957 - 1961.

He and his wife, Emilie Chorn Blair, both died at their home of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning when fumes from a car left running in the garage entered the house through the air conditioning system. They are buried together in Riverview Cemetery, Jefferson City. (Source: Riverview Cemetery records.)

Blair's father, James T. Blair, Sr. served in the Missouri house of representatives and was a justice of the Missouri supreme court.

References

succession box
before=Phil M. Donnelly
title=Governor of Missouri
after=John M. Dalton
years=1957-1961
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