Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-12-02

TA-Gov. Fairbanks.

prom tas So. JolHsaury CaiedoniAu Noy.e-lI
E,-Coy. Fairbanks.
Etsrr rtmBsySs. the eldest SON of his
parents. ph and Phebe Fairbanks. was
born 1T b. lteld. Mass. oct. 2S. 1855 His
eorly m,aus felucatou were very limited aul
confined wholly to the Common school. But
such facilities ms this furnished fr his education
in the only branches then taught in &c., iucluj-
ing nothing beyond reading, spelling, arithmetic
and English grammar. were most diligently im-
proves. by him. In his own expressive woris
IN allusion TO this early pant of his history,
"lie went thoroughly through all the STAGES Of
freshman. sophomore, Junior, and senior classes
of this institution and graduated 40 the age of
seventeen. With "a knowledge Of these branches
as % foundation he adds Il ever considered
myse.fa student at large, capable Of acquiring.
and bouud % acquire, 70 knoWiedge Of other
sc.euces more or less thorough, and an acguain-
tauce with whatever is requisite TO qualify my
self for any calling or station winch in the
providence Of God / may be called 90 occupy.'
Noble words and prophetic, doubtless, of the
large acquisitions and liberal culture, as well IS
Of the eminent positions IN public life TO which
he subsequently attained In 1872, az the age
of uineteeu lac left his home in Brimfell, Mass.
anu tlAeftA a -lAlAtliL Nllt AAM tlilEr hl ula
maternal cousin, tine late Judge Ephraim Pad
dock u 81. Johnsbury. serious affection Of
she eyes soon obliged him to abandon MS studies
and engage in other pursuits. After several
wears, yariouslv employed in teaching school
and other pursuits in ST. Johns0ury, he engag-
ell in mercantile business in company with
Frederick Phelps, at " Nheelock, Vt. Subsequent
Is in 1918, having formed a partnership with
Nessrs. John & Luther Clark, then the leading
merchants at st. J0hnsbury Plain, he removed
to East St Johns5ury, and from thence the fol-
loving year TO Barnet. where he remained in
business until 1875. His success IN the mer-
camille business had been very moderate, leav-
ing him, on the settlement Of MS business at
Barnet, according to his own statement, only
one thousand dollars property at the age Of
thirty-sx years. But notwithstanding his
business had failed to procure for him hitherto
material wealth, II mad, IN the meantime, estso-
hshed for him a reputation in all the surround
ing community for Christian integrity and
scrupulous fidelity to all his social ana pecuniary
obligations, that vas to him worth infinitely
more.
On the settlement Of his business in Barnet
be returned to St Johnsbury and formed con-
nection in business with his next younger
brother. Ia tins partnership, 10 which were
subsequently added his younger brother, the
late lamentei Joseph ?. Fairbanks, and more
recently his own three and sole surviving sons,
he continued to the time Of his death. The re-
markabie success secured by himself and his as
socates in The prosecution Of their business in
this connection are too well known 90 neelt re-
capitulsuon.
In 1886 he was elected to represent this town
IN the legislature Of the Sia'e, and reelected
20 the same office for the two succeeding years.
In 1914 he was chosen by the people Of the
State an elecior Of President and vice-Presldent
Of the United States. and rechosen to the same
olice at the next Presidential election Ia ISIS.
In 1919, on the organization Of the Pa,sumpsic
< Connecticut. Rivers Raiircad corporation he
Was chosen itsSplys.denl aud continued iu that
Office until his private busiuess coDs,raned hiH
To decline a reelection. 10 1882 he was nomi-
mated 10 the office u Governor Of the State by
the whig party, but owing to the party divisions
at the time, failed Of an election by the people