Erastus Fairbanks
Encyclopedia
Erastus Fairbanks was an American manufacturer and Whig
politician.
He studied law but abandoned it for mercantile pursuits, finally settling in St. Johnsbury, Vermont
, where in 1824 he formed a partnership with his brother Thaddeus
for the manufacture of scales, stoves and plows. Subsequently the scales (see Fairbanks Scales
) invented by Thaddeus were manufactured extensively. Erastus was a member of the state legislature in 1836–1838, and the 21st and 26th Governor of Vermont
in 1852–1853 and 1860–1861, during his second term rendering valuable aid in the equipment and dispatch of troops in the early days of the American Civil War
.
With his brothers Thaddeus and Joseph P., he founded St. Johnsbury Academy
.
He was the father of Horace Fairbanks
.
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
politician.
He studied law but abandoned it for mercantile pursuits, finally settling in St. Johnsbury, Vermont
St. Johnsbury, Vermont
St. Johnsbury is the shire town of Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 7,571 at the 2000 census. St. Johnsbury is located approximately northwest of the Connecticut River and south of the Canadian border.St...
, where in 1824 he formed a partnership with his brother Thaddeus
Thaddeus Fairbanks
Thaddeus Fairbanks was an American inventor. He was an inventor of heating and cook stoves, cast iron plows, and other items. His greatest success was the invention and manufacture of the platform scale, which allowed the weighing of large objects accurately.- Biography :Fairbanks was born in...
for the manufacture of scales, stoves and plows. Subsequently the scales (see Fairbanks Scales
Fairbanks Scales
Two brothers, Thaddeus and Erastus Fairbanks founded the Fairbanks Scales manufacturing company in 1830 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont.Fairbanks employs over 500 employees nationwide. It maintains service centers, distributors and sales offices in 49 states and in over 25 countries...
) invented by Thaddeus were manufactured extensively. Erastus was a member of the state legislature in 1836–1838, and the 21st and 26th Governor of Vermont
Governor of Vermont
The Governor of Vermont is the governor of the U.S. state of Vermont. The governor is elected in even numbered years by direct voting for a term of two years; Vermont and bordering New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every two years, instead of every four...
in 1852–1853 and 1860–1861, during his second term rendering valuable aid in the equipment and dispatch of troops in the early days of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
With his brothers Thaddeus and Joseph P., he founded St. Johnsbury Academy
St. Johnsbury Academy
St. Johnsbury Academy is an independent, private, coeducational, non-profit boarding and day school located in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, USA, enrolling students in grades 9-12. It was founded in 1842 by Thaddeus Fairbanks, and accepts the majority of its students through one of the nation's oldest...
.
He was the father of Horace Fairbanks
Horace Fairbanks
Horace Fairbanks was the 36th Governor of Vermont from 1876 to 1878.He was born in Barnet, Vermont, the third of nine children of Erastus Fairbanks and his wife Lois Crossman. He was educated in the county schools and Phillips Andover Academy. He became confidential clerk of E. & T. Fairbanks & Co...
.