Jackson in Jackson County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Austin Blair

Photographed By Dave Wilcox, April 7, 2012

1. Austin Blair Marker Side 2

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Austin Blair began his political career in Eaton Rapids, where he was elected Eaton County clerk in 1842. As a member of the Michigan House of Representatives (1846-1849), he served in the Judiciary Committee and was a leading supporter or the 1846 law to abolish capital punishment. He also introduced legislation to enfranchise black citizens. He was elected Jackson County prosecutor in 1852 and served in the state senate from 1855 to 1856. Elected governor in 1860 and in 1862, Blair personally raised about $100,000 to organize and equip the 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which was the first western force to respond to Lincoln's call for troops. During the close of his active political life, Blair was a United States congressman (1867-1873) and a University of Michigan regent (1882-1890). He died in Jackson in 1894.

Civil War governor Austin Blair (1818-1894) came to Jackson, Michigan, from New York in 1841. In 1842 he moved his law practice to Eaton Rapids. At that time the area was made up mostly of farmers, and Blair was paid for his legal services with produce and firewood. He lived in a frame house that once stood near

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this site. In 1843, while a resident of this town, he was elected Eaton County clerk. Poverty and the deaths of his infant daughter and his wife led him to resign as county clerk in 1844 and return to Jackson.

Erected 1984 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number S0559.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 42° 14.557′ N, 84° 24.549′ W. Marker is in Jackson, Michigan, in Jackson County. Marker is on Greenwood Street south of West Mason Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in Greenwood Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 606 Greenwood Pl, Jackson MI 49201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Hurst Professional Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Deland Point: A Humanitarian Hub (approx. 0.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Paul's Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mt. Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mount Evergreen Cemetery / The Underground Railroad In Jackson

Austin Blair Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 29, 2022

2. Austin Blair Marker

Side 1

(approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Mary Star of the Sea Church (approx. ¼ mile away); First Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jackson.

More about this marker. This marker, S05589, is the same as marker S0558 in Eaton Rapids.

Regarding Austin Blair. Buried in Mt Evergreen Cemetery, approximately 1500 ft southwest on Greenwood St.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Austin Blair. Excerpt:

Austin Blair (February 8, 1818 – August 6, 1894), also known as the Civil War Governor, was a politician from the U.S. state of Michigan, serving as its 13th governor and in its House of Representatives and Senate as well as the U.S. Senate. He was known as a strong opponent of slavery and secession. He also led efforts to provide women and black citizens the right to vote. However, he simultaneously sought to ban capital punishment.

(Submitted on November 18, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By Dave Wilcox, April 7, 2012

3. Austin Blair Marker

Photographed By Dave Wilcox, April 7, 2012

4. Austin Blair Marker

Austin Blair image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown author, circa 1916

5. Austin Blair

Photo is registered in the Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division. It is listed as 1916 though Blair died in 1894.

Governor Austin Blair Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave Wilcox, April 7, 2012

6. Governor Austin Blair Park

Credits. This page was last revised on December 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. This page has been viewed 645 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 10, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. 2. submitted on November 18, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 3, 4. submitted on April 10, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. 5. submitted on November 18, 2022, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. 6. submitted on April 10, 2012, by Dave Wilcox of Grass Lake, Michigan. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.