The McNair family were descendants of Thomas McNair (1737-1830), native of Parish of Donaghmore, County Donegal, Ireland, who came to America and settled in Hanover Township (Lancaster, now Dauphin County) Pa. His son Thomas McNair fought in the War of 1812, and in the 1820-1840 was a merchant and contractor in Berwick. The most prominent among the next generation of the McNairs, was Thomas Speer McNair (1824-1901), son of Thomas McNair, Jr., a prominent Pennsylvania civil and mining engineer and civic leader. In 1899, Thomas S. McNair purchased a ranch in Glendora, Calif., and after his death his family moved to Southern California.
With the exception of Thomas Ferguson McNair (1869-1901), city solicitor for Hazleton, Pa., the lives of the children of Thomas S. McNair were connected to Southern California. Anna Agnes McNair (1867-1922) graduated from the University of Berkeley and taught in Los Angeles, Glendora, and Pasadena schools. William Righter McNair (1874-1935), M. D. ran several successful businesses and practiced medicine in Glendora and Los Angeles. Jean Ferguson McNair (1876-1955), served as a public health nurse in Los Angeles and Pasadena. Rebecca Sharon McNair (b. 1884) graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and headed the school and order departments of Los Angeles Free Library. James Birtley McNair (1889 - 1967) was a botanist and chemist.
From the description of McNair family papers, 1760-1964 (bulk 1835-1943). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122565162
