William Alma Bair
History
William Alma Bair was born in Richmond on July 25, 1863, to John and Lucy Ann Bair.
William was a young age when his father became ill, and had to leave second grade in order to support his family. Many winters he was unable to have shoes to keep his feet warm. To help support, he joined in the effort to build the Utah Central Railroad from Richmond to Franklin, Idaho. He would receive $1 a day.
When the Union Pacific Railroad started to expand its tracks to other states, William joined the M. W. Merrill grading camp in 1879 at the age of 16.
The next summer, he was hired out to Joseph Skelton to drive nine yolks of cattle from Canvas Creek to Challis, Idaho. They made multiple trips and walked nearly the entire time.
In 1881, William freighted with Henry Brower from Dillon, Montana to Butte. This connection with Henry helped to lead him to his wife, Lucinda Brower. They were married on March 3, 1884.
William Alma Bair died Sep 8, 1940, due to some existing heart conditions. He was buried in the Richmond Cemetery.
