Elder J. W. Lair by D. F. Weatherly

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 21, 1916

Elder J. W. Lair

By D. F. Weatherly

John Wilberforce Lair was born in Columbiana, Ohio, Sept. 27, 1879, and died in Mitchell, S. Dak., Aug. 10, 1916. When he was twelve years of age, the family moved to Kansas. Here he remained till he was twenty-one, when he went to Battle Creek, Mich., to enter upon a course of study preparatory for ministerial work. It was while there that he was united in marriage with Miss Bertha A. Johnson. To them were born five children,—two girls and three boys,—four of whom are now living. The first-born, a boy, died at the age of seven years.

Elder Lair gave his heart to God at the age of sixteen, and united with the Seventh-day Adventist church at Buffalo, Kans., under the labors of Elders Barton and Page. He continued in this faith until his death. After his marriage he returned to Kansas for the purpose of earning money for further study. This he did by raising corn on a twenty-acre farm. Soon after putting in the crop, he knelt in the field one day and told the Lord all his plans and desires, and promised to consecrate the entire proceeds to his education for the ministry. This prayer was signally answered. He went to school until 1895, then he entered the factory of the Health Food Company at College View, Nebr., remaining till 1898. He next removed to Boulder, Colo., and was one of the head bakers at the food factory there. All these years he was active in church and mission work. From Colorado the family removed to West Virginia, where Elder Lair engaged permanently in the gospel ministry.

It was only the love for souls that urged him on, as the funds in this conference were very limited. He received $3.50 a week during the summer, supporting a family of five, and during the winter, rather than see the work close, he continued preaching without remuneration. For seventeen years he continued in the ministry, being forced to quit only twice on account of sickness, which was due to overwork. His labor for six years in West Virginia was amid very trying circumstances, but as a result of his work one hundred and twenty-five came into the truth.

In 1904 he went to Ft. Scott, Kans., and labored for four years in that conference. In 1908 he went to Colorado as conference president, remaining two years. Then wishing to provide suitable schooling for his children, he moved to the State of Washington. He was able to continue work for only a few months, when his health broke, and for nearly two years he was unable to leave home to labor in ministerial lines. In 1914, in the month of November, he came to South Dakota and engaged in public efforts in Mitchell, Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Faith, Elk Point, Huron, and Watertown.

Elder Lair was a man of tireless energy, and though not endowed with a rugged constitution, was always found at the front, lifting where the need was the greatest. He preached his last sermon on Monday night, July 24, not three weeks before his death. His one aim and determination in life was to preach the gospel of Christ's soon appearing and win souls for his kingdom. This he did throughout his entire ministry. Words of comfort were spoken by the writer from Hosea 13:14.

D. F. WEATHERLY.