Norvel Blair

Norvel Blair was the patriarch of the Blair family and one of the early settler of the Sully County

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Quick Facts

Significance:

Founder of the Sully County African American homesteader community.

Place of Birth:

Tennessee

Date of Birth:

Circa 1823

Place of Death:

Sully County, South Dakota

Date of Death:

October 7, 1916

Place of Burial:

Fairbank Township, Sully County, South Dakota

Cemetery Name:

Blair Cemetery

Norvel Blair founded the African American homesteader community in Sully County, South Dakota.

Blair arrived in Fairbank Township of Sully County in 1884. He previously sent his sons Benjamin and Patrick to scout the area. They homesteaded in the region, and Norvel probably purchased land as well. In all, seven Blair family members claimed public land in Sully County. Norvel broke ten acres in his first year on the land and cultivated ten additional acres each year before proving up.

Norvel and his sons also became known in the region for raising racehorses. One of their horses, Johnny Bee, held the record for the fastest horse in the state from 1907-1909. Norvel claimed that “Racing horses is a fine sport for any man, as it teaches him how to be a good winner and good loser, and if you can’t be both, you should never race horses.”

Norvel and his family not only built a fortune for themselves, they also promoted Sully County to other African American settlers. They were successful in attracting other black families to the area. They engaged in multiple commercial enterprises, and also worked to establish and support local schools.

Norvel remained in Sully County until his death in 1916.

Learn more about Black Homesteading in America.