Erastus Fairbanks

October 28, 1792 (age 72)

Brimfield, Massachusetts, United States

The couple had eight children. Subsequently the Fairbanks Scales, invented by Thaddeus, were so successful, the company became the largest employer in the state. He was President of the Passumpsic Railroad, which completed a line from White River to Saint Johnsbury in 1850. He was a Presidential Elector for Vermont in 1844 and 1848. Fairbanks was elected the 21st Governor of Vermont in 1851 and served from 1852 to 1853. During this term, a law was passed forbidding the sale or traffic of intoxicating beverages. The law was not repealed until 1902. Fairbanks was one of the founders of the Republican Party, and a delegate from Vermont to the first Republican National Convention in 1856. He was 26th Governor of Vermont from 1860 to 1861. During his second term he rendered valuable aid in the equipment and dispatch of troops in the early days of the American Civil War. Fairbanks was a Congregationalist. He died in Saint Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont, on November 20, 1864 (age 72 years, 23 days). He is interred at Mountain. Pleasant Cemetery, Saint Johnsbury, Vermont.

Erastus Fairbanks

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governor politician

Background

Fairbanks was born in Brimfield, Massachusetts to Phebe (Paddock) Fairbanks (1760-1853) and Joseph Fairbanks (1763-1846).

Education

He studied law but abandoned it for mercantile pursuits, and operated a store in Wheelock, Vermont.

Career

The couple had eight children. Subsequently the Fairbanks Scales, invented by Thaddeus, were so successful, the company became the largest employer in the state. He was President of the Passumpsic Railroad, which completed a line from White River to Saint Johnsbury in 1850.

He was a Presidential Elector for Vermont in 1844 and 1848.

Fairbanks was elected the 21st Governor of Vermont in 1851 and served from 1852 to 1853. During this term, a law was passed forbidding the sale or traffic of intoxicating beverages.

The law was not repealed until 1902. Fairbanks was one of the founders of the Republican Party, and a delegate from Vermont to the first Republican National Convention in 1856.

He was 26th Governor of Vermont from 1860 to 1861.

During his second term he rendered valuable aid in the equipment and dispatch of troops in the early days of the American Civil War. Fairbanks was a Congregationalist. He died in Saint Johnsbury, Caledonia County, Vermont, on November 20, 1864 (age 72 years, 23 days).

He is interred at Mountain.

Pleasant Cemetery, Saint Johnsbury, Vermont.

Politics

Whig Party, Republican Party.

Membership

Fairbanks was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1836 to 1838.

Connections

Father:: Joseph Fairbanks
Mother:: Phebe Paddock Fairbanks
Brother:: Thaddeus Fairbanks
Uncle:: Ephraim Paddock
Son:: Franklin Fairbanks
Son:: Horace Fairbanks
Nephwe :: Henry

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