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

Austin Blair

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 23, 2021

1. Austin Blair Marker

Side 1

Inscription. 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 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.

Austin Blair began his political career in 1842 as Eaton County clerk. In 1846 he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. He was selected as Jackson County prosecutor in 1852, and from 1855 to 1856 he served in the state senate. In 1861 Blair became governor of Michigan, a post he held for two terms. While in office he personally raised about $100,000 to equip the 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He represented Michigan as a U.S. congressman from 1867 to 1873 and was a University of Michigan regent from 1882 to 1890.

Erected 1984 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number S0558.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics.

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In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 42° 30.626′ N, 84° 39.371′ W. Marker is in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, in Eaton County. Marker is at the intersection of Spicer Street and South Main Street, on the right when traveling west on Spicer Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Spicer St, Eaton Rapids MI 48827, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Red Ribbon Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Eaton Rapids Community War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Island Park (about 600 feet away); "The Saratoga of the West" (approx. 0.2 miles away); Miller Dairy Farm No. 1 (approx. 0.7 miles away); Hamlin District No. 15 School (approx. 2.4 miles away); VFW National Home (approx. 3.6 miles away); VFW National Home For Children World War II Memorial (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eaton Rapids.

More about this marker. This marker, S0558, is the same as marker S0559 in Jackson.

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

Also see . . . Michigan Gov. Austin Blair. Excerpt:

Austin
Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 23, 2021

2. Austin Blair Marker
Side 2
Blair, the thirteenth governor of Michigan, was born in Caroline, Tompkins County, New York on February 8, 1818.

(Submitted on April 25, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, April 23, 2021

3. Austin Blair Marker

Marker on Spicer Street with First Congregational Church to the south.

Austin Blair, Governor of Michigan, 1861–65 image. Click for full size.

Public domain, 1916

4. Austin Blair, Governor of Michigan, 1861–65

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.