Caledonia

FAIRBANKS, Henry

1st Biography of Henry FAIRBANKS

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 128-129 
(portrait p 128)

Henry FAIRBANKS, of St. Johnsbury, was born 06 May 1830, son of Thaddeus and 
Lucy (BARKER) FAIRBANKS. [See also the Caledonia County, Vermont, biography 
of Thaddeus FAIRBANKS.] When ten years old he spent a year in Pinkerton 
Academy, Derry [Rockingham County], New Hampshire, and then entered St. 
Johnsbury Academy, which the brothers, E., T., and J. P. FAIRBANKS, 
established in 1842, to provide instruction for their children. He was 
graduated from this academy in 1847, from Dartmouth College in 1853, and from 
Andover Theological Seminary in 1857, having spent a year in Europe in 
1848-1849, and six months in 1856. In the latter year he went with Dr. S. H. 
TAYLOR, the honored teacher of Phillips Andover Academy, as far as Egypt and 
Palestine, and completed his tour of Europe by the ascent of Mt. Blanc. 
After graduation he took the charge of a large number of home missionary 
fields, not only preaching, but directing the vacation labor of students and 
others in them, and gathering up the fruits of their work. In 1860 he went 
to Dartmouth College as professor of natural philosophy, taking afterward the 
department of natural history. After eight years of this service he returned 
to St. Johnsbury, where he developed various inventions, securing many 
patents, and at the same time preached as his health allowed. He led the 
evangelistic work of the Young Men's Christian Association in the state, and 
as president of the State Missionary Society, had opportunity for much work 
in this direction. He is a trustee of Dartmouth College, and president of 
the St. Johnsbury Academy, and in 1891 went to London as a member of the 
International Congregational Council. For several years he has been 
secretary of the corporation of E. & T. Fairbanks & Company. In 1862 he 
[Henry FAIRBANKS] married Miss Annie, daughter of Professor D. J. NOYES, of 
Dartmouth College, who lived ten years. In 1874 he [Henry FAIRBANKS] married 
[Miss?] Ruthy PAGE, of Newport [Orleans County, Vermont]. He has six 
children; the eldest, Rev. Arthur FAIRBANKS, Ph. D., is a member of the 
faculty of Yale Divinity School, and the second, Robert N. FAIRBANKS, is in 
business in New York.



2nd Biography of Henry FAIRBANKS

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 184

Henry FAIRBANKS, vice president of E. & T. Fairbanks Company, St. Johnsbury, 
was born 06 May 1830 in St. Johnsbury [Caledonia County, Vermont], son of 
Hon. Thaddeus and Lucy Peck (BARKER) FAIRBANKS. Educated at Pinkerton 
Academy, Derry [Rockingham County], New Hampshire; St. Johnsbury Academy 
1847; Dartmouth College, class of 1853; and Andover Theological Seminary 
1857. After graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1847, he spent a year 
in Europe. In 1856 went abroad again, visiting Egypt and Palestine, and 
making the ascent of Mt. Blanc. In 1860-1868 was professor of natural 
philosophy and natural history, Dartmouth College. Returning to St. 
Johnsbury, he developed various patents, and also led the evangelistic work 
of the Young Men's Christian Association in the state. Is president of St. 
Johnsbury Academy; trustee Dartmouth College 1870-1905; vice president E. & 
T. Fairbanks and Company for several years. Republican. Congregational 
clergyman, ordained 1858. In 1891 went to London as delegate to the 
International Congregational Council; president Vermont Domestic Missionary 
Society; corporate member American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions. In 1862 he [Henry FAIRBANKS] married [Miss?] Annie NOYES of 
Hanover [Grafton County], New Hampshire; she [Annie FAIRBANKS] died in 1872; 
they had four children: Arthur, Robert N., Lucy (Mrs. ALVORD), and 
Charlotte. In 1874 he [Henry FAIRBANKS] married [Miss?] Ruthy PAGE of 
Newport [Orleans County, Vermont]; they have two daughters: Marion (Mrs. 
ADANS), and Dorothy.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly