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FAIRBANKS, ERASTUS, twice governor of Vermont, the signer of its
prohibitory law, which defeated him for reelection, but eight years later
elected as the first of our three war governors, was born in Brimfield,
Massachusetts, in 1792. He represented St. Johnsbury in the legislature
in 1836-'37-'38, and was a presidential elector in 1844-'48. He was elected
governor in 1852, and signed the prohibitory-law. In 1860 he was again
elected by the young Republican party. He called an extra session of the
legislature soon after the attack on Fort Sumter, which placed at his absolute
disposal the sum of $1,000,000 for arming and forwarding of troops.
He was a pioneer in the construction of the Passumpsic railroad,
and many years its president. He married, in 1815, Lois Crossman of Peacham.
Nine children were born to them, of whom Horace and Franklin were notably
connected with the scale works.
Governor Erastus Fairbanks died in 1864.
Source:
Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical
Publishing Company, 1904, page119 .
Prepared
by Tom Dunn, April 2006
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