James T. Blair, Jr.

James Thomas Blair ( born March 15, 1902 in Maysville, DeKalb County, Missouri, † July 12, 1962 in Jefferson City, Missouri ) was a U.S. Representative (Democratic Party) and from 1957 to 1961, the 44th Governor of Missouri.

Early years and political rise

Blair attended Southwest Missouri State College and the University of Missouri. He then studied at Cumberland University in Tennessee law. After his successful exams and qualifying as a lawyer in 1924, he started in Jefferson City to work as a lawyer. In 1925 he was legal adviser of the city. During the Second World War he served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army.

In the years 1928 and 1930, Blair was elected to the House of Representatives from Missouri, 1947, he was mayor of Jefferson City. From 1948 to 1956 he was vice- governor of Missouri. On November 6, 1956, he was elected governor of his state.

Governor of Missouri

Blair took up his new post on January 14, 1957. In his four-year tenure, the highway patrol was reinforced. At the same general speed limits were introduced on the motorways. At that time, a committee was established to control the water protection. For the public sector workers a new Pension Act came into force.

Further CV

After the end of his term in January 1961, Blair retired from politics. He died on 12 July 1962, with his wife Emily, with whom he had two children from poisoning, which was caused by exhaust fumes of a running engine. The engine exhaust had come from the garage on the air conditioning in the house.