Biographies

Source:
The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio
To Which is Added an Elaborate Compendium of National Biography
Illustrated
Publ. Chicago : The Lewis P
 

FRANK LOUIS FAIRCHILD.  Mr. Fairchild makes his home in Mount Vernon, but his influence is felt far beyond the limits of his home community, owing his broad business relations and many personal friendships throughout the country.      The Fairchild family came to this county from England about 1639, when Thomas Fairchild took up a township of land in Stafford, Connecticut, and since its foundation on American soil its members have ever taken an active interest in the welfare of state and nation.  Mr. Fairchild's father, Grandison Fairchild, from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, to Lorain county, Ohio, where they were among the very early settlers.  The cause of education has also found in the members of this representative family warm and active friends, and three uncles of our subject became presidents of colleges, - James H., of Oberlin, Ohio; E. H., of Berea, Kentucky; and George T., of the State of Agricultural College of Manhattan, Kansas.  Charles G. Fairchild was united in marriage to Emily Culver, of Lee, Berkshire county, Massachusetts.  They were people of sterling worth, and in the community where they made their home they were loved and honored for their many noble characteristics.      Franklin L. Fairchild was born at Brownhelm, Lorain county, Ohio.  His elementary education was received in the common schools of his locality, but later entered Oberlin College, where he enjoyed superior advantages.  He was reared to the quiet pursuits of the farm, and after having had some experience in the dry goods business, in 1865 he came to Mount Vernon, Knox county, where he at once became identified with The C. & G. Cooper Company, becoming an active partner in the concern about three years later.  After a residence of some years in this city he went to Chicago, where from February, 1869, until May, 1878, he had charge of the company's interests in that city.  Since its organization the business has steadily grown in volume and importance, and it now extends to all parts of the commercial world.  The plant was founded by Charles Cooper in 1833 and was conducted as a co-partnership and Mr. Fairfield was then elected its president.  The present officers of The C. & G. Cooper Company are:  Frank L. Fairchild, president; C. G. Cooper, secretary; D. B. Kirk, treasurer; who with Charles M. Stamp and Edward Henry Fairchild, all of Mount Vernon, constitute the board of directors.  When this establishment was first organized it manufactured in a small way agricultural implements, but before many years it became extensively engaged in building engines and boilers.  Now, however, the Company builds Corliss engines exclusively and in this field it has gained a wide reputation.  The works cover an extensive area of ground, and employment is given to about five hundred workmen.      Although the business of this establishment claims much of his time, Mr. Fairchild has been actively interested in the welfare of the city in which he lives.  For nineteen years he served as trustee of the Water Works of Mount Vernon, assuming the duties of that position in 1881.  He served on the preliminary committee that determined the plan and selected the site of the Water Works, and had charge, with the other trustees, during the period of construction.  He was one of the founders of the Public Library and has ever since served as its trustee, while during much of the time he has also acted as its president.  He was one of the incorporators and directors of the Home Building & Loan Association, which was organized twenty years ago and has ever since enjoyed a high degree of success.  The cause of education has also found in him a warm friend and for eighteen years he was a member of the board of education, entering upon the duties of that office in 1882, and served as president for seventeen years.  Since 1865 Mr. Fairchild has been an active member of the Congregational Church, and for many years has held office therein, having served as deacon, trustee and as superintendent of the Sunday school.  Religious, social and political matters have ever found in him a willing worker and he has always done what he could for the welfare of his fellow men.      On the 14th of September, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fairchild and Miss Sarah E. Thatcher.  Mrs. Fairchild is a native of Litchfield, Medina County, Ohio, and a daughter of Buckley Thatcher, formerly of Lee, Massachusetts.  The Thatcher family became residents of that locality as early as 1635, when Thomas, a son of Rev. Peter Thatcher, came to this country from England.  He was born in England in 1620.  The family of Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild consists of a daughter, Amy Frances, now the wife of B. B. Williams of Mount Vernon, and an adopted son,  Edward Henry Fairchild, associated with his father in the C. & G. Cooper Company.  Both were educated in the schools of Oberlin.      Such is the record of one of the most successful men of Mount Vernon.  His life has indeed been crowned with prosperity, but all his achievements are the result of patient effort, unflagging industry and self reliance.  For many years this city has been his home, and during all this time he has so deported himself that as a citizen, as a man of business and as an honorable Christian gentleman no man has a cleaner record or is more highly respected than he.    Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 88

HARRISON FERRIS was born on the farm on which he now resides, on Sept. 29, 1842, a son of Embry and Phoebe (Holmes) Ferris.  The father was born in Dutchess county, New York, and after arriving at man's estate he there learned the wagonmaker's trade.  He was also married in his native county, and there two of his children were born.  In 1832 he family emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land where our subject now resides, most of which was covered with a dense growth of timber.  He at once erected a log cabin and began the arduous task of placing his fields under cultivation.  Their primitive log cabin served as a habitation for a number of years, after which it was replaced by a modern frame residence, but ere its completion both the husband and wife were called to the home beyond.  They were prominent members and active workers in the Baptist church, and he was a Whig in his political views.  Five of their eight children still survive, namely: William, of Tama county, Iowa;  Egbert, a resident of Henry county, Illinois; Harrison, the subject of this review; Oscar, also of Tama county, Iowa; and Sarah, the wife of Dr. Fred Gager, of Rochester, Missouri.      Harrison Ferris was but nine years of age when he was called upon to mourn the loss of his parents, and he afterward made his home with different residents of the neighborhood, working for his board.  At the age of fifteen years he was employed as a farm hand by Lemuel Beckley, and from that time on he was employed by different farmers until September, 1859, when he joined the gold seekers to Pike's Peak.  After a short time spent in the mines, however, he contracted chills and fever, and he was advised by a physician to leave the mountains, which he did during the following winter, returning to Knox county, Ohio.  Here he again began work by the month, thus continuing until Aug. 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  During his army career he took part in the battles of Perryville, Chickamaugua, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, also many other engagements and skirmishes.  He was wounded at Bentonville, North Carolina, Mar. 20, 1865, and on the 18th of May, of that year, was honorably discharged from the service at Camp Denison, returning to his home with a most creditable military record.      After his return from the war Mr. Ferris resumed work as a farm hand.  In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Darling a native also of Wayne township, Knox county, and a daughter of Abraham Darling, now deceased.  After his marriage our subject located with his bride on a small farm near Mount Vernon, but after a residence there of one year he rented a place near Fredericktown, where for the following three years he was engaged in agricultural pursuits.  On the expiration of that period he moved to Fredericktown, where for about three years he was engaged in the livery business, and on selling his interests there he purchased thirty-six acres of land one mile west of his present home.  There he made his home until 1887, when he sold that tract and purchased another of one hundred and fifteen acres, sixty-four acres of which was a portion of the old Ferris homestead and the remainder was a portion of an adjoining farm.  There Mr. and Mrs. Ferris have since made their home, surrounded by the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.  He is a practical and progressive agriculturist, and his place is neat and thrifty in appearance, owing to his consecutive labors and careful supervision.      Unto our subject and wife were born eight children, but only four are now living, namely: Minnie B., the wife of William G. Norris, of Richland county, Ohio; Norma, the wife of Frank Cramer, a resident of Liberty township, Knox county; Embry R., and Frederick, at home.  The Democracy receives Mr. Ferris' hearty support and co-operation, and in 1896 he was elected a county commissioner of Knox county.  He was also land appraiser in 1890, and has held a number of other offices of honor and trust.  Socially he is a member of Thrall Lodge, No. 170, F. & A. M.  He is highly respected by those who have known him from boyhood, and is indeed a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family.  At all times he has been safely relied upon to use his influence and means in the advancement of whatever has been for the good of the community. Source: The Biographical Record of Knox County, Ohio - Publ. 1902 - Page 254

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