New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-24
CAREER OF SENATOR FAIRBANKS.


son OF Ohio. Of Puritan ancestry. Charles War
rem Fairbanks early attained prominence as a law
yer IN indianapolis, and has been a United States
Senator since 1897. He secured his education by
MS own exertions and had decided on the law as
profession before ne entered college. Senator
Fairbanks was born near KNOXVILLE Centre Union
County. Ohio. Nay Il. 1852. He is descended in the
eighth generation from Jonathan Fayerbanks who
se'tIeo IN Dedham. Mass, in 1886. From the old
Say state the ancestors Of Senator Fairbanks went
70 Vermont. and II was from that state that his
faJher Went 70 Ohio in 1886 and settled on & farm
and also worked 81 wagonmaking. When the fut-
uFs senator was a baby he rocked in a sugar
trough 10 which homemade rockers had been at
tached and as he advanced in boyhoo5 he was
taught that what his hand found to do he must do
Win MS might His parents were earnest Meth
odlsts. ana encouraged his ambition 10 secure an
education He diligently attended the district
schooi, and in the summer he worked on the farm
ana at his fathers trade Of wagonmaking. At the
age OF fifteen he left his home and with 81 which
he had saved from what his father had pafd him
n the pockets OF his only suit Of clothes he went
TO Delaware, Ohio. and entered the Ohio Wesleyan
University. There he and his roommate boarded
themselves. and young Fairbanks found employ
ment with carpenter on Saturdays by reason Of
MS familiarity with the OF tools He was also
ready TO DO any work about the college which he
could mo 10 DO and in the summer vacations he
worked in the harvest field at his home. In his
senior year he was one OF the editors OF the col
lege newspaper The Western Collegian." He was
graduated with the degree Of A b in 1872 and
Went 10 Ptttsburg. where he began the study OF
law. at the same time supporting himself by doing
newspaper work for The Associated Press. A year
later he entered law school in Cleveland and did
similar work It was in 1874 that he admitted
TO the bar at Columbus. Ohio.
While in college he had met Miss Cornelia Cole
who was a co-editor with him on the college paper
In the same year that he was admitted 10 the bar
they We're married. and went L Indianapolis 70
make their permanent home. The young lawyer
was aided IN securing practice b. his uncle. VIII
lam Henry Smith, who was interested in railroads
and he soon became one OF the most successful
railroad lawyers in the State. With increased in
come re became resident OF the most fashionable
part OF the city. North Merid.an-st
Senator Fairbanks always has been an earnest
Republican. and IN his rising days a lawyer he
was urged TO accept the nomination District
torney. but declined. II 1888 he was the manager
nomination Tor President AZ the Chicago couveu-
ton, but when the nomination % Harrison became
evident the support of Gresham. with his consent.
speeches for Harrison ana Morton Throughout IN
diana. lie was chairman OF the Indiana State con
chosen nv th e 7 t 2h "a is9 IN ss he vas
lature candidate Tor United States Senator, out
elected Senator Turpie In lss6 he was deegate-at-
large from Indiana to the St Louis Republican
aTor to succeed Daniel w Voorhs 1T,S25
elected by majority Of p. In 1888 he was APP
Joint High Commission settle the differences
Win canada. ana he was chairman OF the United
States commissioners. As q Senator he has al
ways been strict IN his attendance on the duties
OF his office. and has made most thorough study
OF all public questions. He Is a forCibe and prac-
teal speaker. and has been persistent IN securing
legislation IN which he is interested. He
elected q Senator last year for the term ending
March 3. 1893.
Senator Fairbanis. was Indiana delegate 10 the
Republican convention at Philadelphia in 1906. and
chairman oS the committee resolutions re-
ported the platform. He strongly talked OF as
candidate for EiCe-President before the choice OF
Theodore Roosevelt decided He was q
thought he might be his successor.
Senator Fairbanks is active Methodist, and is
a leading member OF the Meridian Street Church.
IN Indianapolis. with which his colleague. Sena tor
Beverage. Is also connected. Since 1885 he has
d trustee OF the Ohio Wesleyan University whose
president, DIT. Bashford has just been elected a
bishop OF the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1889
Senator and Mrs. Fairbanks built and presented 10
the college fine gymnasium In personal appear
ance the Senator Is six feet IN height and ex-
I trernely dignihed in manner. He is most highly
thought Of by his friends and By his opponents Is
, regarded d who fights fair.
Mrs Fairbanks is the president general the
Daughters OF the American Revolution. Their
home in Massachusetts, Washington is the
centre OF generous hospitality. Senator and Mrs
Fairbanks have five children, daughter, married
10 Ensign John W. Tmmons OF the battIeshin
Kearsarge and four sons one in business and three
completing their education. one being under
IRA IA a "a a