Charles W. Fairbanks

Charles Warren Fairbanks was the 26th vice president of the United States serving from 1905 to 1909 under President Theodore Roosevelt. Born on May 11, 1852, in Unionville Center, Ohio, Fairbanks later moved to Indianapolis. He studied at Ohio Wesleyan University and became an attorney and railroad financier.

Fairbanks was elected as a senator from Indiana in 1897. In the Senate, he advised President William McKinley and helped settle the Alaska boundary dispute. In 1904, he was chosen as Roosevelt’s running mate and became vice president.

During his time as vice president, Fairbanks often opposed Roosevelt’s progressive ideas. Later, he tried to become president but was not chosen. In 1916, he was selected as a vice presidential candidate again but lost the election. Fairbanks passed away on June 4, 1918.

Early life

Charles W. Fairbanks was born in a log cabin near Unionville Center, Ohio. His parents were Mary Adelaide and Loriston Monroe Fairbanks, who made wagons. When Fairbanks was young, his family’s home helped hide people who were trying to escape from unfair treatment.

After going to small schools and working on a farm, Fairbanks went to Ohio Wesleyan University and finished in 1872. While at school, he helped edit the newspaper with a friend named Cornelia Cole, and they got married after they both graduated.

Early career

Charles W. Fairbanks began his career working for the Associated Press in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he reported on political events. He studied law and later moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he finished his legal education. In 1874, he became a lawyer and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. He also earned a Master of Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan.

Fairbanks worked with a railroad company and later helped a famous businessman, Jay Gould. He became active in politics, supporting Benjamin Harrison for president and speaking at many events. In 1897, Fairbanks was elected to the United States Senate.

U.S. Senator

As a senator, Fairbanks helped advise the president during a war and led important committees. He also took part in discussions with leaders from Britain about issues between the two countries.

Vice presidency (1905–1909)

Fairbanks was elected vice president of the United States in 1904 on the Republican ticket with Theodore Roosevelt and served a four-year term, from 1905 to 1909. He was the first vice president to serve a full term without having to make any important decisions as President of the Senate. Fairbanks often disagreed with Roosevelt's ideas and did not play a big role in the government. Roosevelt supported another person, William Howard Taft, to be the next president, and Fairbanks later returned to working as a lawyer.

In 1905, while Fairbanks was giving a speech in Flint, Michigan, a man tried to get close to him with a hidden weapon. People nearby stopped the man before he could do anything, and Fairbanks continued his speech. The man was taken away by police.

Post-vice presidency (1909–1918)

Hughes's running mate

In the year 1916, Fairbanks helped create the plans for the Republican party. He tried to become the Republican president but lost at the party meeting in June. When Charles Evans Hughes became the choice, Fairbanks was picked to run with him as vice president. In November, Hughes and Fairbanks lost the election to the current leaders, Woodrow Wilson and Thomas Marshall. After this, Fairbanks went back to working as a lawyer in Indianapolis, but his health began to get worse.

Death and legacy

Fairbanks passed away at home on June 4, 1918, at the age of 66, and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

He was given special awards from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1901 and from Northwestern University in 1907. Several places are named after him, including the city of Fairbanks, Alaska, the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the Fairbanks School District in Union County, Ohio, Fairbanks, Minnesota, Fairbanks, Oregon, and Fairbanks Township, Michigan.

In 1966, a special sign was placed in front of Fairbanks's home in Indianapolis to remember him. In 2009, another sign was put up in Unionville Center to mark where he was born.