Matthew A. Blair, son of Walter and Elizabeth (Allen) Blair, was born in Cumbernauld, Scotland, March 13,1855, and is one of eight children, three of whom are living. James , the fourth born, is a physician in Groton, New York, and Walter, the youngest, is a clerk in the employ of the Blossburg Coal Company at Arnot, Tioga county. The others died in early youth. In 1869,Mathew A. and his father came to Pennsylvania and settled in Arnot, Tioga county, where they found employment in the mines. In 1870his mother , with the remainder of the family, joined them. His father died in October, 1876, aged forty-five years, but his mother is still living. Mr. Blair received a common school education in Scotland. At eleven years of age he went to work in the mines, and followed coal mining until September, 1884, when he entered the store of the Blossburg Coal Company, in Arnot as a clerk, which position he filled until 1888. He was then placed in charge of the company's store at Landrus, where he remained until August 1893, when he returned to Arnot, and with Mack Scudder, took charge as manager of the stores of W.W. Bradbury Company. Mr. Blair was married January 11, 1884, to Nettie Mitchell, daughter of James G. and Mary Mitchell, of Arnot, to which union have been born five children, viz: Walter, James, Nellie, Ethel, and Mary. In politics, Mr. Blair is a Republican. . During his residence in Landrus he served as postmaster, and filled the offices of town clerk and school director. He is member of the Presbyterian church and also of Bloss Lodge, No. 350, F. & A.M., and of Arbon Lodge, No. 489, I.O.O.F As the result of a practical experience of nearly thirty years, Mr. Blair is thoroughly acquainted with all the details of coal mining , and by industry and an intelligent discharge of the responsible duties of his various positions, has merited his successive promotions.