Short Illness Fatal to Noted Paris Citizen

Passes Away Wednesday Evening; Hold Funeral Friday Afternoon

Honorable Frank Trimble O'Hair, Democratic nominee for congress in the eighteenth district, eminent as an attorney of state-wide reputation, a recognized leader in the state councils of his party, Paris' foremost citizen, and a striking example of a self-made man, is dead at the age of 62 years.

News of Mr. O'Hair's death at the Paris hospital at 7:40 o'clock Wednesday evening after a five days' illness of uraemic poisoning will be a profound shock not only to this community, but to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in both the district and the state.

Mr. O'Hair complained of feeling ill last Saturday, but made light of it as only a temporary indisposition. He was no better Sunday morning, but insisted upon looking after his extensive farming interests. Late Monday afternoon his condition took a decided turn for the worse and he was hurried to the hospital, delirious from a fever that had mounted to 105. The patient's high temperature continued and he sank into a state of coma. After a consultation with Drs. George H. Hunt, H.D. Junkin and F.M. Link, it was decided to call in Dr. J. Lewis Pollock, noted Chicago neurologist,  who arrived by airplane Tuesday afternoon. The specialist, after an examination, held out no hope, and Mr. O'Hair passed away last night without regaining consciousness. It is believed that he contracted a kidney infection several years ago, but did not realize the gravity of his condition.

Native of Edgar County

Mr. O'Hair was born in Symmes township, Edgar county, March 12, 1879, the son of John H. and Evalyn Swango O'Hair, natives of Kentucky. He was married May 10, 1905 to Ruth Harding Huston, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Huston, who survives, together with two children, Mrs. Ruth Frances Asher of Chicago, and Huston O'Hair, at home. Also survivng are one grandson, a brother, wigfall S. O'Hair of Paris and a sister, Mrs. W.I. Overstreet of New York City, now in France.

Graduate of DePauw

Fortified with a diploma from the law school at DePauw university at Greencastle, Ind., Mr. O'Hair, in 1893, the year of his graduation, opened a law office in the building he now owns, his desk now occupying the same position his first one did twenty-nine years ago. This early association influenced Mr. O'Hair in the recent aquisition of the property.

Mr. O'Hair's first law partnership was with Fred W. Dundas, which continued until the latter's removal to Alaska. His next partner was Fred Rhoads, who was succeeded by George W. Bristow and Burnie McClain. Mr. Bristow retired from the firm upon his election as circuit judge. Mr. McClain, the surviving partner, has been with Mr. O'Hair for fifteen years.

Outstanding in Profession

Mr. O'Hair made an outstanding

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Death Claims Hon. F.T. O'Hair, Noted Citizen

Eminent Lawyer, Nominee for Congress Succumbs After Short Illness

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success of his chosen profession. He not only had a keenly analytical mind, but was gifted with a world of hard, common sense and the principles of law as he presented them were almost invariably accepted by the jurists before whom he pleaded. He was a man with a high sense of professional honor, in as well as out of court, and Judge Frank K. Dunn, now on the Supreme Court bench, once said of him, "When Frank tells you what the law is, that's about the way you'll find it."

Frank with His Clients

Mr. O'Hair was as fair and candid with a prospective client as he was with the Court. If he did not believe an applicant had a case he frankly told him so and advised his partners to do likewise, holding that under such circumstances it was not fair to take a client's money. his sense of fair play prompted him to defend gratis clients without funds whom he believed were unjustly accused of crimes.

He urged the acceptance of a cardinal principle of law at a trial before Judge E.R.E. Kimbrough at Marshall, IlL., quite a few years ago that,  despite two adverse decisions, was ultimately upheld by the Illinois Supreme Court. Undaunted by a formidable array of legal talent from the east and contrary rulings cited, Mr. O'Hair, representing a Mr. Daugherty against the Ohio Oil Company, contended the lessee company was liable for royalty damages commensurate with the value of the oil that the land leased would have produced had the lessee company drilled the land in conformity with the lease, instead of removing the oil by means of wells on adjoining land. 

Counsel for big Four

For many years Mr. O'Hair was Edgar county counsel for the Big Four Railroad company and when the Cairo division of the railroad was rebuilt he acted in that capacity in both Clark and Edgar counties. As counsel for this road he argued several cases before the Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago and in several cases appeared before the Interstate Commerce commission at Washington, D.C. He served as Master-in-Chancery of Edgar county under Judge Kimbrough and later as special Master-in-Chancery in Federal court.

Record in Congress

In politics Mr. O'Hair had the distinction of being the only man to defeat "Uncle Joe" Cannon for congress in the present eighteenth district. He was elected to congress in 1912 and while a member of that body served on several important committees, which was unusual for a first termer and a marked recognition of his ability. During his term as congressman, Mr. O'Hair addressed the naval cadets at Annapolis and his services as a speaker were in demand at other gatherings in the east.

Nominee at Time of Death

He was again nominated for congress by his party in 1914, but was defeated by Mr. Cannon. At the recent primary he was nominated by a four to one majority. During his stay in the national capital, Mr. O'Hair formed intimate and lasting friendships with such prominent men as Senator James A. Reed of Missouri, Senator Buckley of Ohio, Federal Judge Wilkerson of Chicago and others. Locally he served his party as county chairman and there have been few Democratic rallies here the last quarter of a century that did not include Mr. O'Hair as one of the speakers.

Farmer and Feeder

Having acquired title to and management of upwards of 1,700 acres of Edgar county land, Mr. O'Hair, with his characteristic thoroughness, took up an intensive study of soil culture and cattle raising, on a large scale. He specialized in Short Horns and Herefords and at the time of his death had about 200 head about ready for market. Only last week he shipped a car load of cattle to Chicago and made a trip to that city for the settlement of the same.

Active in Civic Affairs

Mr. O'Hair was always active in civic affairs where his leadership was much in demand. The Paris Chamber of Commerce was organized in his office and for some years occupied a room on the same floor with his office. That organization has had no more loyal or helpful member than Frank T. O'Hair. He served as member of the board of directors for many years and held that office at the time of his death. For six years he was a member of the board of directors of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and served one term as vice-president of that body. He retired as a member of the state board two years ago at his own request in order that he might have a little more leisure.

He was a charter member of the Rotary club and fraternally was a Mason, Odd Fellow, Elk and member of the Modern Woodmen.

His legal counsel was sought in connection with many local enterprises. He served as the attorney for and as a member of the management of the Terre Haute and Eastern Illinois Traction company, was vice-president of the Wabash Sand and Gravel company and was included in the directorate or management of banks, building and loan associations, newspapers, trust and abstract companies, etc.

A Great Traveler

Despite his seemingly unlimited endeavors he found time for and relaxation in travel. He toured Europe, South America, Mexico, Canada and the United States, obtaining intimate knowledge of the habits, characteristics and industries of other countries and peoples, taking a particular interest in wheat and cattle raising in Chile.

Mr. O'Hair was a man of integrity, with a high sense of honor. He was a great lover of children, whom he delighted to remember on all occasions, especially at Christmas time. He was generous to the needy. His sound counsel and advice was sought on every hand and his death is an inestimable loss to the community, the district and the state.

Rites on Friday

Friends of the late Hon. Frank T. O'Hair may call at the Cook & Wright funeral home between the hours of 6 and 9 o'clock this evening and at the residence 227 west Madison street from 9 to 11:30 o'clock Friday morning.

Funeral services will be conducted from the residence at 4 o'clock Friday afternoon, the Rev. W.E. Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Edgar cemetery.

Included in the honorary and active pallbearers will be intimate friends of prominence from various parts of the state.

Messages of condolence were recieved at the O'Hair home throughout the entire day.

Obituary for O'Hair. Paris Beacon, August 4, 1932, Page 1

Continuation of the Obituary for O'Hair. Paris Beacon, August 4, 1932, Page 2