Cornelia Cole Fairbanks
Encyclopedia
Cornelia "Nellie" Cole Fairbanks (1852 - October 25, 1913) was the wife of Charles W. Fairbanks
, who served as the 26th Vice President of the United States
from 1905 to 1909. During her husband's tenure she held the unofficial position of the Second Lady of the United States
. She was at the forefront of the women's suffrage movement and considered a pathfinder to politics for American women in the 20th and 21st centuries.
, the daughter of Ohio State Senator Philander Cole and Dorothy Witter. She attended the Ohio Wesleyan Female College
, where she graduated with an A.B. in 1872. In 1874 she married Charles Fairbanks, whom she had met at Ohio Wesleyan while working for the school paper. They removed to Indiana where he began practicing law, and she read with him and assisted in his practice, eventually encouraging him to enter politics.
, serving as its first president between 1885-1888. She also served on the State Board of Charities during this period.
in 1901, and she served two terms in that capacity. During her tenure she helped raised funds to construct the society's Memorial Continental Hall
in Washington, D.C.
In 1907 her chapter of DAR was organized, with 28 charter members. She was also active with the George Junior Republic
movement.
After her husband left office, they traveled the world in 1910, including an appearance in King Edward VII's court. Her attire from this event is housed at the Smithsonian Institution
.
in Indianapolis, Indiana
, who would pass in 1918.
She was considered a powerful progressive operative behind the political scenes, and helped pave the way for women leaders in the United States. She was considered the equivalent of the female President of the United States through her leadership role with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and helped construct the second Women's Club in the United States in Indianapolis through her service on the national board of the General Federation of Women's Clubs
. She was considered feminine, yet a suffragist and proponent of women's rights. Historically she is remembered as a pathfinder to politics for American women in the 20th and 21st centuries. She was one of the best known women in the United States during her time, and considered as clever of politician as her husband.
Fairbanks was a champion of Protestant Christianity, and supported missionary work.
In 1899 she hosted a trip for the British and American Joint High Commission to Alaska
. Fairbanks, Alaska
was named in honor of her husband shortly thereafter.
In her husband's will, he left funds for the Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Trust Fund, which helped create an alcohol addiction treatment center called The Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Memorial Home in Indianapolis.
Charles W. Fairbanks
Charles Warren Fairbanks was a Senator from Indiana and the 26th Vice President of the United States ....
, who served as the 26th Vice President of the United States
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
from 1905 to 1909. During her husband's tenure she held the unofficial position of the Second Lady of the United States
Second Lady of the United States
Second lady of the United States is an informal title for the wife of the vice president of the United States, coined in contrast to the first lady ....
. She was at the forefront of the women's suffrage movement and considered a pathfinder to politics for American women in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Early life
She was born in 1852 in Marysville, OhioMarysville, Ohio
Marysville is a city in and the county seat of Union County, Ohio, United States. The population was 15,942 at the 2000 census, and the Census Bureau estimated that it had risen to 17,621 by 2006.Marysville's longtime slogan is "Where the Grass is Greener"...
, the daughter of Ohio State Senator Philander Cole and Dorothy Witter. She attended the Ohio Wesleyan Female College
Ohio Wesleyan Female College
Ohio Wesleyan Female College was founded in 1853 in Delaware, Ohio. It is also known under the name Wesleyan Female College in Cincinnati...
, where she graduated with an A.B. in 1872. In 1874 she married Charles Fairbanks, whom she had met at Ohio Wesleyan while working for the school paper. They removed to Indiana where he began practicing law, and she read with him and assisted in his practice, eventually encouraging him to enter politics.
Indianapolis
She was one of the founders of the all-women's Fortnightly Literary Club in IndianapolisIndianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, serving as its first president between 1885-1888. She also served on the State Board of Charities during this period.
Washington, D.C.
While her husband was serving as a U.S. Senator, Cornelia was elected President General of the National Society of the Daughters of the American RevolutionDaughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
in 1901, and she served two terms in that capacity. During her tenure she helped raised funds to construct the society's Memorial Continental Hall
Memorial Continental Hall
Memorial Continental Hall is owned & operated by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It also serves as the organization's National Society headquarters. Memorial Continental Hall is located alongside DAR Constitution Hall, connected by a third building that houses the DAR Museum...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
In 1907 her chapter of DAR was organized, with 28 charter members. She was also active with the George Junior Republic
George Junior Republic
George Junior Republic was an American industrial institution, situated near the small village of Freeville, in Tompkins County, New York, U.S., 9 miles east-north-east of Ithaca, at the junction of the Sayre-Auburn and the Elmira-Cortland branches of the Lehigh Valley railway.- Overview :The...
movement.
After her husband left office, they traveled the world in 1910, including an appearance in King Edward VII's court. Her attire from this event is housed at the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
.
Legacy
Fairbanks died in 1913. She is buried alongside her husband in Crown Hill CemeteryCrown Hill Cemetery
Crown Hill Cemetery, located at 700 West 38th Street in Indianapolis, is the third largest non-governmental cemetery in the United States at . It contains of paved road, over 150 species of trees and plants, over 185,000 graves, and services roughly 1,500 burials per year. It sits on the highest...
in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, who would pass in 1918.
She was considered a powerful progressive operative behind the political scenes, and helped pave the way for women leaders in the United States. She was considered the equivalent of the female President of the United States through her leadership role with the Daughters of the American Revolution, and helped construct the second Women's Club in the United States in Indianapolis through her service on the national board of the General Federation of Women's Clubs
General Federation of Women's Clubs
The General Federation of Women's Clubs , founded in 1890, is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service...
. She was considered feminine, yet a suffragist and proponent of women's rights. Historically she is remembered as a pathfinder to politics for American women in the 20th and 21st centuries. She was one of the best known women in the United States during her time, and considered as clever of politician as her husband.
Fairbanks was a champion of Protestant Christianity, and supported missionary work.
In 1899 she hosted a trip for the British and American Joint High Commission to Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks is a home rule city in and the borough seat of the Fairbanks North Star Borough in the U.S. state of Alaska.Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state behind Anchorage...
was named in honor of her husband shortly thereafter.
In her husband's will, he left funds for the Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Trust Fund, which helped create an alcohol addiction treatment center called The Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Memorial Home in Indianapolis.
Marriage and family
Cornelia and Charles had four sons and one daughter:- Robert Fairbanks, who attended Yale
- Richard M. Fairbanks, who attended Yale and served as a captain in World War One
- Adelaide Fairbanks, who married Dr. Horace Allen
- Warren Charles Fairbanks
- Frederick Cole Fairbanks