St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-03-22

lands who have been helped and en-
couraged by him, and of the many 9th
ers who have occasion to remember his
thoughtfulness and generosity, can the
extent of his benefactions be known.
Any reference to the life of Gov.
Fairbanks at home would oe incom-
plete did it not include mention of his
work in and for the North Congrega-
tional church. Fifty-one years ago he
became a member of this church and
has all his life been closely identified
with all departments of its work. For
seven years he was Sunday school su
perintendent, and many years he has
been one of the deacOns, officiating in
that capacity at the communion SER
vice on the Sunday preceding his de-
parture for New York two weeks ago.
When, some years ago, it was decided
to build a new church, he, with his
brother Franklin, took the amount
that had been subscribed for the pur-
pose, together with the old church edi-
flee, and added thereto the many thou
sands necessary to build the present
North church, by far the cOstliest and
most beautiful church edifice in the
state. The old church building they
presented to the local Y. M. G. A. to
be transformed into the present Music
hall. He has always been equally lib
eral in maintaining the church. One
of the many ways in which he showed
his interest in it's practical work, was
his custom of making a Christmas
present of an elegant book to each
Sunday school child of the congrega-
ton who had attended every morning
preaching service for the year. This
unique and characteristic method of
interesting the children in the services
of the church formed one of the strik
ing features of each years Christmas
celebration. Last year these gifts
homes of this village these beautiful
mementOes are to be found with the
autograph of the donor in each one, ac-
companied by some appropriate senti-
ment in his own handwriting. In Sc
lecting and disbursing these annual
offerings Mr.. Fairbanks took great in
terest and sincere pleasure. Through
the various channels of the church he
disbursed large sums for missionary
purposes, especially to the American
Board of which he was a corporate
member and in which he has always
manifested deep personal interest.
In the death of this man St. Johns
bury loses it's most eminent citizen, a
man who loved the town, who did
more, perhaps, than any other man of
his own generation to make it what it
is, and who will ever be held in hon
ored remembrance by his fellow citi-
zens.
Gov. Fairbanks's domestic life could
not have been happier. He was mar
ried Aug. 9, I849, to Mary E., daughter
of James Taylor of Derry, N. H., who
survives him. To them were born
three children Helen, who died in
1864, aged 10, and Agnes and Isabel,
both of whom are living. OF the nine
children of Erastus Fairbanks, but
four are now living; Charles, the old
est surviving brother, who is in Nice,
France; Franklin, vice president of
the Fairbanks scale company, who has
been most intimately associated with
Gov. Fairbanks in the management of
the business Emily, the widow of the
late Rev. DIR. c. L. Goodell, whose
home is in st. Louis, and Sarah, the
wife of C. M. Stone of st. Johnsbury.
The burial takes place this afternoon.
A service will be held at the North
church at one o'clock led by Rev. Mr..
LamsOn, after which there will be Il
brief service at the house.