Charles Benjamin Fairbanks, 1846-1922

FAIRBANKS, RUSSELL, JONES, FITZGERALD, SMITH

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/24/2011 at 05:21:36

Charles Benjamin Fairbanks, resident of Clay county for the past fifty-two years and a veteran of the Civil War, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Jones, in Aredale, Iowa, on January 19, 1922.

The body was brought to Spencer and funeral services were conducted by Rev. Robert Lee Stuart at one-thirty Monday afternoon, January 23, 1922, at the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery.

Charles Benjamin Fairbanks was born on September 22, 1846, at Apallachin, New York, where he grew to young manhood. The call came in 1862 and 1863 for volunteers and he joined the New York Volunteer in infantry, Company H, 109th Regiment serving first as drummer boy, then on the officers staff, and finally in the ranks until he was honorably discharged at the close of the war.

After the war he located in Linn county, Iowa, where in 1866 he was married to Miss Collina Russell. He lived in Linn county until 1870 and then took a homestead in that county where he lived until 1881 when he moved into the town of Spencer. Since 1881, he had lived in Peterson, Lyon county and Missouri, but the greater share of his time had been spent in this city. A few months ago he left for Aredale, Iowa, where he iIntended to spend the winter months with his daughter, Mrs. Frank Jones. Death came at that place.

He leaves to mourn their loss, one son, Hiram B. of Wichita, Kansas, and three daughters, Mrs. Frank Jones of Aredale, Mrs. Minne B. Smith of Spencer and Mrs. Florence Fitzgerald of Peterson. He is also survived by one granddaughter, four grandsons, several nephews and nieces, and many friends.

Source: Spencer Reporter, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; January 25, 1922.

Charles L. Fairbanks, aged a few months more than seventy-five years of age and a resident of Clay county since 1870 died Thursday, January 19, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lucy C. Jones of Ardale, Iowa. Mr. Fairbanks drove to Ardale in October intending to make a visit in the Jones home. While there he was taken ill with a serious attack of anemia and did not recover sufficiently to allow his return to Spencer. Death occurred at five o'clock Thursday afternoon.

Charles Benjamin Fairbanks, the son of Benjamin and Eunice Fairbanks, was born at Appalachian, New York, September 22, 1846. He was a member of a family of eight children and was the last one of the family to die. He was married July 26, 1866, at Marlon, Iowa, to Miss Collina Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks continued to make their home in Linn county for some time, living a part of that time at Center Point.

The family came to Clay county in 1870 and settled on a homestead in Clay township. In the year of 1881 they moved to Spencer and later moved to Peterson where Mr. Fairbanks engaged in the hardware business. They also lived a while at Doon, Iowa, and for some time in Missouri. Mr. Fairbanks engaged in the work of owning a feed mill for a while but for the past several years has led a retired life.

Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks became the parents of three daughters and one son, all of whom survive him. They are: Mrs. A.E. (Minnie) Smith, Spencer; Mrs. A.P. (Florence) Fitzgerald, Peterson; Mrs. Lucy Jones, Ardale, Iowa; and Hiram B., Wichita, Kansas. Mrs. Fairbanks died nine years ago and since that time Mr. Fairbanks has spent most of his time in Spencer. All his children except Mrs. Jones, at whose home he died, were present for the funeral services. Mrs. Jones has a child lying at the point of death, suffering from pneumonia, and was unable to leave him.

Mr. Fairbanks was a veteran of the Civil war. He enlisted in 1863 in the state of New York and became a member of Co. H, 100 Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. Even after being mustered out of service his patriotism and loyalty did not waver and while living in Spencer he has been an active worker in the G.A.R. ranks.

Funeral services were conducted from the M. E. church Monday afternoon in charge of the Rev. Robert Lee Stuart, pastor of the church. The prayer and scripture lesson were read by W.L. McCown, chaplain of Annett Post No. 124, G.A.R. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery.

Source: The News-Herald, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa; January 26, 1922.

Interment in Riverside cemetery
 

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