Charles W. Fairbanks

"Charles Fairbanks" redirects here. For the archaeologist, see Charles H. Fairbanks.

Charles Warren Fairbanks
26th Vice President of the United States
In office March 4, 1905 – March 4, 1909
President	Theodore Roosevelt
Preceded by	Theodore Roosevelt
Succeeded by	James S. Sherman
United States Senator from Indiana
In office March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1905
Preceded by	Daniel W. Voorhees
Succeeded by	James A. Hemenway
Personal details
Born	May 11, 1852(1852-05-11) Unionville Center, Ohio
Died	June 4, 1918(1918-06-04) (aged 66) Indianapolis, Indiana
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Cornelia Cole Fairbanks
Alma mater	Ohio Wesleyan University
Signature

Charles Warren Fairbanks (May 11, 1852 – June 4, 1918) was a Senator from Indiana (1897-1905) and the 26th Vice President of the United States (1905-1909).

Born in a log cabin near Delaware, Ohio, Fairbanks's ancestry traced back to Puritan followers of Oliver Cromwell, with Jonathan Fayerbankes the first family member to reach America in 1632. The son of a wagon-maker, Fairbanks in his youth saw his family's home used as a hiding place for runaway slaves. After attending country schools and working on a farm, Fairbanks attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he graduated in 1872. While there, Fairbanks was co-editor of the school newspaper with Cornelia Cole, whom he married after both graduated from the school.^[1]

Fairbanks, Alaska is named after Charles W. Fairbanks.^[2]

Early career

Fairbanks' first position was as an agent of the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reporting on political rallies for Horace Greeley during the 1872 presidential election. Fairbanks then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he briefly attended law school before his admittance to the Ohio bar in 1874. He then moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, the same year.

During his early years in Indiana, Fairbanks was paid $5,000 a year as manager for the bankrupt Indianapolis, Bloomington and Western Railroad. With the assistance of his uncle, Charles W. Smith, whose connections had helped him obtain the position, Fairbanks was able to become a railroad financier, and served as counsel for millionaire Jay Gould.

Prior to the 1888 Republican National Convention, federal judge Walter Q. Gresham sought Fairbanks's help in seeking the nomination for U.S. President. While the bid was ultimately unsuccessful, Fairbanks began to take an even greater interest in politics, falling short in a campaign for the United States Senate in 1893.

He was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1896, after having delivered the keynote address during the convention that nominated William McKinley for President.

Senator

During his eight years in the U.S. Senate, Fairbanks served as a key adviser to McKinley during the Spanish-American War and was also the Chairman of the Committee on Immigration and the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. In 1898, Fairbanks was appointed a member of the United States and British Joint High Commission which met in Quebec City for the adjustment of Canadian questions, including the boundary dispute about Alaska.

Vice President

Fairbanks and Theodore Roosevelt.

Fairbanks was elected Vice President of the United States in 1904 on the Republican ticket with Theodore Roosevelt and served all four years. Fairbanks sought the Republican nomination for President but Roosevelt (who chose to not seek reelection) supported William Howard Taft as his potential successor in 1908, sending Fairbanks back to the practice of law. In 1912, Fairbanks supported Taft's re-election against Roosevelt's Bull Moose candidacy.

Hughes' running-mate

In 1916, Fairbanks was in charge of establishing the platform for the Republican party. In 1916, he sought the Republican presidential nomination, and although he failed in that bid, he did win the nomination for vice president under Charles Evans Hughes on June 10. Five months later, Hughes and Fairbanks lost a close election to the Democratic incumbents Woodrow Wilson and Thomas Marshall.

Death

Fairbanks' grave in Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Indiana.

Fairbanks once again resumed the practice of law in Indianapolis, but his health started to fail. He died on June 4, 1918 in his home of nephritis.^[3] He was interred in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Legacy

The city of Fairbanks, Alaska, the Fairbanks North Star Borough it lies within, and the Fairbanks School District in Union County, Ohio, Fairbanks, Minnesota, Fairbanks, Oregon, and Fairbanks Township, Michigan are named after him.

Ohio Historical Marker in Unionville Center commemorating Fairbanks' birthplace.

On Friday, May 15, 2009, an Ohio historical marker was dedicated in Unionville Center, commemorating Fairbanks' birthplace.^[4]

See also

Biography portal

• United States presidential election, 1904
• United States presidential election, 1916

References

1. ^ Harvey, Official Proceedings of the Republican National Convention, 1904, pp 23 - 32, Original from Harvard University, Digitized Oct 26, 2007
2. ^ http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/charles_fairbanks.pdf
3. ^ "Indiana Statesman Succumbs to Intestinal Nephritis After Long Illness at His Home. His Political Career Began After He Was a Successful Railroad Attorney. Adept in Platform Making. Reporter for The Associated Press. Attorney for Jay Gould. Beginning of His Political Career. Roosevelt's Running Mate.". New York Times. June 5, 1918. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F0CE1D9163EE433A25756C0A9609C946996D6CF. Retrieved 2010-03-06. "Charles Warren Fairbanks, former Vice President of the United States and former United States Senator for Indiana, died at his home at 8:55 o'clock tonight." 
4. ^ Patrick Dundr, Fairbanks historical marker, Marysville Journal-Tribune, May 16, 2009

External links

• The life and speeches of Hon. Charles Warren Fairbanks : Republican candidate for vice-president
• "Charles W. Fairbanks". Find a Grave. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=323. Retrieved August 28, 2010. 

Political offices
Vacant Title last held by Theodore Roosevelt	Vice President of the United States March 4, 1905 – March 4, 1909	Succeeded by James S. Sherman
United States Senate
Preceded by Daniel W. Voorhees	United States Senator (Class 3) from Indiana March 4, 1897 – March 4, 1905 Served alongside: David Turpie, Albert J. Beveridge	Succeeded by James A. Hemenway
Party political offices
Preceded by Nicholas M. Butler	Republican Party vice presidential candidate 1916	Succeeded by Calvin Coolidge
Preceded by Theodore Roosevelt	Republican Party vice presidential candidate 1904	Succeeded by James S. Sherman

Persondata
Name	Fairbanks, Charles W.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	May 11, 1852
Place of birth	Unionville Center, Ohio
Date of death	June 4, 1918
Place of death	Indianapolis, Indiana