BIOGRAPHY OF HON. ALFRED G. FAIRBANKS of Manchester NH ------------------------------------ Information located at http://www.nh.searchroots.com/Manchester On a web site about GENEALOGY AND HISTORY OF MANCHESTER NEW HAMPSHIRE TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ======================================================== SOURCE: Willey's Semi-centennial Book of Manchester, 1846-1965 et al, by George Franklin Willey; published 1896, G.F. Willey ------------------- page 228 HON. ALFRED G. FAIRBANKS was born in Francestown, Jan. 26, 1822, and is the son of Deacon Bucknam and Cynthia (Downs) Fairbanks. He was educated in the common schools and academy of his native town. His earliest work was performed on his father's farm where he laid the foundation of a strong and vigorous manhood. He came to Manchester in 1843, and began his independent career as a blacksmith in the employ of the Amoskeag Corporation. He had learned the trade in his native town. In 1857 he went into trade for himself, and after several years of success purchased a farm on what was then called "Squog" on the Mast road towards Goffstown, and lived there about seven years, engagin in various mercantile pursuits meanwhile. Hillsborough County built a new jail at Manchester in 1862--63 and Mr. Fairbanks was appointed deputy sheriff and jailer in 1864. This position he held nearly ten years, until New Hampshire chose a Democratic governor and other political affiliations were wanted. General business engaged his attention for several years, and finally he formed the partnership with F.L. Wallace, mentioned elsewhere. In every position Mr. Fairbanks has made warm friends and always held the highest respect and esteem of his fellow-townsmen, among whom he has been a prominent factor for advancement. Mr. Fairbanks has always taken a lively interest in the politics of the city and state, being first a Whig and later an ardent Republican, and filled various official position with honor to himself and advantage to the community. In 1881-82 he represented ward 4 in the state legislature, and was one of the commissioners of Hillsborough county for a period of six years beginning in 1883, being chairman of the board two of tohse years. He was a member of the state senate in 1892-93 from the seventeenth district, serving on the committees on finance, state prison, insane asylum, and soldiers' home. It has been tracefully written of him in this connection: "Senator Fairbanks, though one of the oldest members of the Senate, is one of the most vigorous. His long experience in public affairs enables him to secure a prominent posiion in the proceedings of the senate. As a conscientious and faithful legislator, Senator Fairbanks stands pre-eminent. His voice is seldom heard in debate, but is never heard without respect and influence. COnstant in his attentions upon his public duties, he wins the esteem of his constituents and faithful in his guardinship of their interests, he adds to his reputation for inegrity. In the city of Manchester, where Senator Fairbanks has resided for nearly fifty years, he is justly regarded as one of her leading citizens in all good works. His charity is unostentatious, yet liberal; his friendship not boastful, but cordial. Thrown constantly into association with all classes of society by reason of his business duties, Senator Fairbanks has developed the most sterling qualities of manhood, sympathy and tact." Mr. Fairbanks was married to Harriet A. Dodge of Francestown in 1844, and to them three children have been born: Henry B., a prominent business man in Manchester; Ellen Cynthia, who lives at home; and Anna Frances, some years ago deceased. Mrs. Fairbanks died in August 1891, at the family home on Wilson hill, where Mr. Fairbanks was one of the pioneer settlers twenty-one years ago. He is a member of the Amoskeag Veterans and was quartermaster fifteen years. He is also a member of the Franklin Street Congregational church, joining soon after its organization in 1844. (end)