John G. K. Truair, for thirty-five years a respected citizen and prominent business man of Syracuse, was born the son of a Presbyterian clergyman at Sherburne, Chenango county, N.Y., May 11, 1817, and as a youth was educated with a view to the ministry. He became a member of the first Freshman class of Oberlin College, Ohio, which he entered in 1834, and was graduated from that institution with honors in 1838. Fifty years afterward he was one of the four surviving earliest graduates who participated in celebrating the semi-centennial anniversary of their alma mater, and one of these, President E. H. Fairchild of Berea College, died twenty-one days before the death of the subject of this sketch. After his graduation Mr. Truair engaged in academic teaching in New York State and won high rank in the profession. He was principal of Gilbertsville Academy and
Collegiate Institute in Otsego county for six years, of the Norwich Academy in Chenango country for two years, and of the Brockport Collegiate Institute in Monroe county for five years, and was also connected with the Female College at Elmira for a time.

In 1843-54 Mr. Truair made a tour of Europe and upon his return became a permanent resident of Syracuse, where in 1855 he purchased the Syracuse Journal establishment, which had been conducted by his brother, Thomas S. In 1862 he associated Hon. Carroll E. Smith, L.L.D., and Edwin Miles with him in conducting the paper and in 1870 Gen. Dwight H. Bruce was admitted to partnership under the firm name of Truair, Smith & Bruce. In 1885 the Journal passed into the ownership of a stock company and during the next three years Mr. Truair was its efficient business manager. In May, 1889, he retired to private life and on the 23d of the following November died suddenly at his home in Syracuse, leaving a widow, one daughter (Mrs. Charles G. Baldwin), and a brother (Thomas S. Truair), all of this city. His only son, George G. Truair, who for a quarter of a century was editorially connected with the Journal, died July 15, 1888. His father died while filling the Presbyterian pulpit in Fabius in 1843.

Mr. Truair was a man of exceptional tastes and rare accomplishments, and throughout life bore an irreproachable reputation for honesty, integrity, and high moral character. As a student and teacher his work was crowned with rich success; in business and social affairs he won universal confidence and esteem; and during a long and useful career his friendship, counsels, and assistance were widely sought and valued. Every one with whom he came into contact drew a wholesome influence from his sterling individuality, and many young men of his town owe much of their success to his generosity and encouragement. He achieved a high position, not only among his associates, but in the community, and filled every station in life with honor, ability, and distinction. As a publisher he exerted an elevating influence upon local journalism and literature, and himself was the author of numerous letters of travel and observation of more than ordinary interest. Engaging with eagerness and courage in the new sphere of activity, that of establishing a profitable newspaper and publishing enterprise, his efforts were crowned with gratifying success, and he had the satisfaction of seeing the Journal steadily advance in favor with the public, increasing rapidly its circulation and patronage, and widely extending its prestige and usefulness.

He was always deeply interested in public affairs and a liberal promoter of religious, educational, and philanthropic movements. From 1855 until his death he was an active and a prominent member of the Park Presbyterian church and frequently its representative in general assembly. He was for many years secretary of the Onondaga County Bible Society, and the Pioneer Society of Central New York, and was also a member, vice-president, and president of the Board of Councillors of the Home Association. He never sought political preferment, but in 1861-62 and again in 1864-65 he served as treasurer of the city, and besides all these was interested in various business enterprises. Source: Bruce, Dwight H. (Ed.), Onondaga's Centennial. Boston History Co., 1896, Vol. II, Biographical, pp. 21-23.