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THOMAS J. BLAIN, one of the most popular and respected
citizens of Westchester County and an enterprising publisher of Port
Chester, N. Y., was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, September 1, 1861, son of
Thomas and Eliza Ireland Blain. His father was of an old Ayrshire family,
and his mother a native of K.irkcudbright, both descendants of farmers.Mr.
Blain received his education in St. Stephen’s School, Edinburgh, where he
afterward taught for five years. He came to New York in 1881 and was
employed on several daily and weekly newspapers about New York City until
1887, when he left the Flushing, N. Y., Journal to take a place on
the staff of the Port Chester Enterprise. He became the owner of
the Enterprise in 1891 and established the Port Chester Daily
Item in 1899. He now operates a large printing and publishing plant,
publishes a daily newspaper of large circulation throughout Westchester
County and eastern Connecticut, and does an extensive business in
commercial and law printing.
Mr. Blain is a member of
the St. Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, Burns Society, Scottish
Society, and Scottish Home Rule Association, New York; and of Mamaro
Lodge, F. & A. M., Armour Chapter, R. A. M., Bethlehem Commandery, K. T..
and Mecca Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S.; the Port Chester Lodge of Elks, Red
Men, Foresters, Knights of Pythias, Royal Arcanum, and Order of Scottish
Clans.
Mr. Blain married, May 4, 1902, Emma Eugenia, daughter
of the late Thomas Wood, of Roslyn, N. Y. She died July 14, 1902. On April
30, 1904, he married her sister, Mary E. Olmsted Wood. Their beautiful
home in Port Chester is noted for its taste and hospitality; Mr. and Mrs.
Blain’s generosity is extended to every deserving cause. Mr. Blain is a
vestryman of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Mrs. Blain has contributed
liberally to the local hospital, and for many years has served as its
Secretary. Mr. Blain visits Scotland every second year and takes a deep
interest in everything pertaining to his native land. Both he and his wife
are fond of motoring and have taken many long trips through New England
and elsewhere. |
