Robert Herd Fairbairn1

(circa October 1838 - 1 October 1923)
FatherDavid Fairbairn2,3,4 (cir. Feb 1800 - Apr 1872)
MotherJane Herd2 (cir. 1802 - aft. 1885)
Relationship1st cousin 4 times removed of Lorna Henderson

BMDB data

     Robert Herd Fairbairn was born cir. Oct 1838 Napanee, ONT, CAN, or so I believe: both the 1850 and 1880 census records agree c 1838/9, aged 11 in 1850 (ie age given by parents) and 41 in 1880, 1897 however implies 1837, which year is the approximation given on the IGI as a patron submission. However, if Esther's Jun 1840 date is accurate, then I'm assuming 9 Oct 1838 might just do it as an amalgam of available info and inferences. I'm ignoring other census data that implies later dates.2,5,6,7,8 Some sources show Robert as born cir. 1837 Cambden St Marys, Perth Co., ONT, CAN.9 Yet other sources show Robert as born on 9 Oct 1842 Napanee, ONT, (as given in his History of Chickasaw and Howard Co (1919), the Oct month is confirmed by a census record, but 1842 seems a tad later than most census data implies.)3,6,10
     Robert Herd Fairbairn married Lucille Elizabeth Bushee cir. 1860 ?WI, USA, (this marriage's existance initially coming from the 1910 census which showed Robert as being on his second marriage. A likely candidate had been the Robert, clergyman, with wife Lucy and sons David and Robert, but evidence was lacking until Betsy found a biography of son Robert in a history of Nebraska. Robert and Lucy seem to have gone their separate ways after the 1870 census, Lucy taking younger son Robert H with her, David staying with Robert.11,6,8,12,13
     Robert Herd Fairbairn remarried cir. 1871 ?WI or ?MN, USA, to Sarah C Symes, daughter of Charles Symes and Mary UnknownSurname, (1930 says aged 20, for a 78 yr old, so c 1872,1900 says married 29 yrs implying 1871, 1910 says 35 yrs implying 1875, I've plumped for the c 1871 outside Iowa given he doesn't appear in the Iowa marriages 1851-1900, or perhaps they didn't actually marry given Lucy was still alive and kicking to 1920 at least - as an 87 year old telephone operator. Sarah appears with her parents Charles, a Methodist Epis. Minister, born England, and Mary, born New York, in the 1870 census of Nashua, Iowa.)5,11,14,4,6,15
     Robert H Fairbairn died on 1 Oct 1923 New Hampton, Chickasaw Co., IA, USA; cert. shows Robert Herd FAIRBARN (sic) as resid. New Hampton, Chickawaw Co., Iowa, married to Saraha (sic). Aged 81 yr 22 days, retired printer, owner while working. Born Napanee, ONT, parents names and birthplaces not known. Inf. Mrs Clyde BIGELOW, New Hampton, Iowa. Died 1 Oct 1923 of embolism (cerebral), contributory arteriosclerosis. Buried Graceland, Oct 4.16,10,17 He was buried Graceland Cem., New Hampton, Chickasaw Co, IA, USA, (the entry showing him as born 1842.)18 He was buried with Sarah C Fairbairn New Hampton, Chickasaw Co., IA, Separate H/stones: Robert H FAIRBAIRN (1842-1923) Sarah C FAIRBAIRN 1853-1935 (dtr Bird and husband in same cem.)17,19

Migration

     Robert Fairbairn migrated in Aug 1848 to WI, USA, with David Fairbairn and Jane Fairbairn; from Napanee, Ontario, this date being borne out by dtr Esther's obit, son Robert's 1900 census data, and the family's appearance in the 1850 Wisconsin census. Now (Jul 2012) verified from David's naturalization index card.
Jane's 1900 census however pushes this back to 1846.20,2,4,21,22

Census/Where lived/Occupations

     Robert Fairburn appeared on the census of 3 Jul 1850 Clayton, Winnebago Co., WI, USA, in the household of David Fairburn and Jane Fairburn.23
     Robert appeared on the census of 20 Jun 1860 with Lucy E Fairburn Weyauwega Twp, Waupaca Co., WI, USA, enumerated as FAIRBURN: Robert H (indexed on ancestry as W) 22 Meth Clergyman -/$200 b CAN; Lucy E 17 b NY (now known to be 1st wife.)24
     The census of 20 Jul 1870 showed Robert with his wife Lucille, their sons Lewis and Robert nr Hartford PO, Brooklyn, Green Lake Co, WI, USA, household enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: R H 31 Congregational Clergyman b CAN; Lucy E 27 -/$1500 b NY; Lewis D 9 b NY; Robert 2 b WI.25
     Robert appeared on the census of 1 May 1875 with Sarah Fairbairn Minneapolis Ward 8, Hennepin Co, MN, USA, enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: R H 27 b CAN F/M b SCT; S C 25 b WI F b ENG M NY? Berta N 2 b IA Infant 1 b Minn; David 15 b WI All F b CAN M b WI.26
     The census of 26 Jun 1880 showed Robert with his wife Sarah, their dtrs Rena and Ora Bradford Twp, Nashua, Chickasaw Co., IA, USA, household enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: Robert H 41 attorney b CAN F/M b SCT; wife Sarah C 28 hsekeeper b WI F b ENG M b NY; Dtrs Rena H 7 b IA, Ora W 5 b Minn both at home F b CAN M b WI.27
     The census of 1897 showed Robert with his wife Sarah, their dtr Ora New Hampton Twp, Chickasaw Co., IA, USA, household enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: R H 60 Sarah 49 Ora 20.7
     The census of 8 Jun 1900 showed Robert with his wife Sarah, their dtr Ora New Hampton Twp, Chickasaw Co., IA, household enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: Robert H 57? b Oct 1840 marr 29 yrs b CAN (Eng) F/M b SCT, emig 1848, editor; wife Sarah C 49 b Jan 1851 2 children both living b WI F/M b ENG; Dtr Ora W 24 b Feb 1876 MN F b CAN M b WI, teacher.28
     R H Fairbairn appeared on the census of 1905 New Hampton Twp, Chickasaw Co., IA, with Sarah C Fairbairn, enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: R H, Sarah C (no other data on page.)29
     Robert H Fairbairn was shown as the head of the household in the census of 25 Apr 1910 New Hampton Twp, Chickasaw Co., IA, with Sarah enumerated as FAIRBAIRN: Robert H 67 2nd marr 35 yrs b Canada Scotch, F/M b SCT emig 1848 NA Publisher news paper emp; wife Sarah C 57 1st marr 35 yrs 2 children both living, b WI F b ENG M b CT.30
     Robert H Fairbairn appeared on the census of 22 Jan 1920 at New Hampton Twp, Chickasaw Co., IA, in the household of Clyde G Bigelow and Bird H Bigelow as father-in-law of Clyde G Bigelow.31

All the other info

     Robert Herd Fairbairn is a potential duplicate of Robert Fairbairn; I wonder if the 11 yr old Robert, born USA, in Richmond Ontario in the 1851 census is Robert, the son of David and Jane (Herd)? The age certainly fits, but the birthplace doesn't. David's son Robert said he was born Napanee (nr Richmond), but in the 1851, the 11 yr old Robert is listed as being born USA - his parents moved from Napanee/Richmond in 1848, so he was "from" the States, but not apparently born there. Anyway, if the id is correct, he would be Robert Snr's nephew. So far the only other candidate is a 9 yr Robert born Canada, with 4 yr old Archibald b NY, enumerated in Pamelia, Jefferson Co, NY in 1851, living with a John (blacksmith) & Jane HOPE.32 In Oct 1897 Chickasaw Co., IA, USA, Robert Herd Fairbairn is assumed to be this chap: "Bro. Fairbairn, of the New Hampton Courier, who has spoken twice before Postville audiences, is the republican candidate for the legislature in Chickasaw county. There is no more competent man in the county for that office than he, but the county is democratic and the chances are against his election. But we hope he will pull through."33
     A biography of Robert (shown as Robert Hurd Fairbairn), taken from his History of Chickasaw and Howard Co (1919) shows that:
"He was born in Napanee, Ontario, Canada on October 9, 1842. He arrived in Chickasaw County in 1872, after first spending time in Wisconsin and California.
At Nashua, Iowa he engaged in a law practice, became interested in newspaper work, and in 1884 he purchased the New Hampton Courier, which he owned and published for almost a third of a century.
He was very much interested in the politics and public men that left their mark on the history of the state of Iowa. He represented the Fourth Iowa District in Congress 1883 - 1884. Mr Fairbairn never accumulated wealth but was always generous in extending a helping hand to others in sending young men and women to college or commerical schools. With his knowledge of men, memory of events, his industry and his desire to procure results he has undertaken the preparation of his History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties."34
     In 1921 A History of Western Nebraska included a biography of Robert H Fairbairn Jnr, and provided the link between the clergyman Robert and the attorney/newspaperman Robert.12

Family 1

Lucille Elizabeth Bushee (Sep 1842 - May 1934)
Children
  • David Fairbairn35 (cir. 1860 - bet. 1875 - 1900)
  • Robert H Fairbairn Jr35 (Oct 1867 - aft. 1940)

Family 2

Sarah C Symes (cir. 1852 - 1935)
Children
  • Bird H Fairbairn31,5,36 (cir. 1873 - Jan 1944)
  • Ora W Fairbairn5,37 (cir. Feb 1875 - Sep 1953)
ChartsFAIRBAIRN
John & Bessie (FFLINT) FAIRBAIRN
Last Edited1 Dec 2023

Citations

  1. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) "History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties" by Robert Herd FAIRBAIRN, pub. 1919 by S J CLARKE Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, as made available via IAGenWeb (http://iagenweb.org/chickasaw/history1919index.htm) by Leonard GRANGER, extracted Jun 2008.
  2. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1850 Clayton, Winnebago, WI Roll: M432_1009 Pg 493 Image 509 hsehold of David & Jane FAIRBURN, extracted May 2008.
  3. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) "Faces of Chickasaw County", Robert Hurd FAIRBAIRN, from IAGenWeb (http://iagenweb.org/chickasaw/biographies/faces1919f.htm), extracted Jun 2008.
  4. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1900 New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA Roll T623_424 Pg 7B ED 38, hsehold of Robert H & Sarah C FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  5. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1880 Nashua, Chickasaw, IA Roll T9_332 FHL Film 1254332 Pg 363.4000 ED 114 Image 0332, hsehold of Robert H & Sarah C FAIRBAIRN, extracted May 2008.
  6. Lorna Henderson, "FAIRBAIRN Analysis", Jun 2008.
  7. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1897 New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA Roll IA_125, hsehold of R H & Sarah FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  8. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1860 Weyauwega, Waupaca, WI Roll M653_1433 Pg 922 Image 231, hsehold of Robert H & Lucy E FAIRBURN, extracted Jun 2008.
  9. Online search: assorted surnames, International Genealogical Index (IGI), Birth c 1837 Robert H s/o David M FAIRBAIRN & Jane HERD, Cambden St Marys, Perth, ONT, post 1991 patron submission, extracted Jun 2008.
  10. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Dth 1 Oct 1923 Robt H FAIRBAIRN, buried Graceland Cem. New Hampton, born 1842, from Gravestone Records of Chickasaw Co, IA, extracted Jun 2008.
  11. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1910 New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA Roll T624_396 Pg 5A ED 47 Image 1177, hsehold of Robert H & Sarah C FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  12. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) Robert H FAIRBAIRN, Jr, History of Western Nebraska Vol III (1921), p533ff, online at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/resources/OLLibrary/…,(found initially by Betsy S), extracted Jun 2008.
  13. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1930 Redington, Morrill, NE Roll 1287 Pg 1B ED 15 Image 1085, hsehold of Lucy BUSHEE, extracted Jun 2008.
  14. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1930 New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA Roll 648 ED 14 Image 388, hsehold of C S & Bird BIGELOW (indexed as BIOGLOW), extracted Jun 2008.
  15. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1870 Nashua, Chickasaw, Iowa; Roll: M593_381; Page: 503A; Image: 231; Family History Library Film: 545880, hsehold of Charles & Mary SYMS, extracted Jul 2012.
  16. Iowa (USA); BDMs 1809-1992 (published), Dth 1 Oct 1923 Robert Herd FAIRBARN (sic), New Hampton, IA, from image Iowa, U.S., Death Records, 1880-1972 Death Certificates 1921-1929, copy d/loaded Dec 2023.
  17. Find A Grave online at http://findagrave.com, Sarah C FAIRBAIRN, New Hampton Cem., New Hampton, Chickasaw Co., IA, Find A Grave Memorial# 52598069, extracted Jul 2012.
  18. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Dth 1 Oct 1923 Robt H FAIRBAIRN, buried Graceland Cem. New Hampton, born 1842, Pg 38, from Gravestone Records of Chickasaw Co, IA, extracted Jun 2008.
  19. Find A Grave online at http://findagrave.com, Robert H FAIRBAIRN, New Hampton Cem., New Hampton, Chickasaw Co., IA, Find A Grave Memorial# 52598036, extracted Jul 2012.
  20. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Obit 8 Mar 1916 Esther LEE nee FAIRBURN, "Waushara Argus", from tree of miket6m4n8u, extracted May 2008.
  21. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, Naturalization 7 Oct 1856 David FAIRBURN, b. SCT 1801, emig. USA Aug 1848, from Administration U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives Project), extracted Jul 2012.
  22. 1900 Census images, Ancestry.com, Farmington, Washington, Wisconsin; Roll: 1821; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0108; FHL microfilm: 1241821, hsehold of James & Jennie MYERS, extracted Dec 2014.
  23. 1850 Census images, Ancestry.com, Clayton, Winnebago, WI Roll: M432_1009 Pg 493 Image 509 hsehold of David & Jane FAIRBURN, extracted May 2008.
  24. 1860 Census images, Ancestry.com, 1860 Weyauwega, Waupaca, WI Roll M653_1433 Pg 922 Image 231, hsehold of Robert H & Lucy E FAIRBURN, extracted Jun 2008.
  25. 1870 Census images, Ancestry.com, 1870 Brooklyn, Green Lake, WI Roll M593_1715 Pg 358 Image 722, hsehold of R H & Lucy E FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  26. Ancestry.com online at http://search.ancestry.com, 1875 Minneapolis Ward 8, Hennepin, Minnesota Territorial & State Censuses 1849-1905, , Roll MNSC_9 , hsehold of R H & S C FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  27. 1880 Census images, Ancestry.com, 1880 Nashua, Chickasaw, IA Roll T9_332 FHL Film 1254332 Pg 363.4000 ED 114 Image 0332, hsehold of Robert H & Sarah C FAIRBAIRN, extracted May 2008.
  28. 1900 Census images, Ancestry.com, 1900 New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA Roll T623_424 Pg 7B ED 38, hsehold of Robert H & Sarah C FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  29. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1905 New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA Roll IA_80, hsehold of R H & Sarah C FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  30. 1910 Census images, Ancestry.com, 1910 New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA Roll T624_396 Pg 5A ED 47 Image 1177, hsehold of Robert H & Sarah C FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  31. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1920 New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA Roll T625_482 Pg 17B ED 55 Image 481, hsehold of Clyde O & Bird H BIGELOW, extracted Jun 2008.
  32. "Lorna's Family History Musings", Jul 2008.
  33. Newspaper clippings, Oct 1897 "Bro. FAIRBAIRN" of the New Hampton Courier, from The Postville Review, Allamakee Co, IA Oct 22, 1897,, online at http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/link.php, extracted Jan 2010.
  34. Www FAIRBAIRN searches and miscellaneous correspondence by LornaHen (1) "History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties" by Robert Herd FAIRBAIRN, pub. 1919 Synopsis of pages 497-9, as shown on IAGenWeb (http://iagenweb.org/chickasaw/biographies/faces1919f.htm), extracted Jun 2008.
  35. Census images, Ancestry.com, 1870 Brooklyn, Green Lake, WI Roll M593_1715 Pg 358 Image 722, hsehold of R H & Lucy E FAIRBAIRN, extracted Jun 2008.
  36. FamilySearch Labs Record Search (LDS) online at http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/, Dth 21 Jan 1944 Bird H BIGELOW, d/o Robert H FAIRBAIRN & Saray SYMES, w/o Clyde G BIGELOW, aged 69, Wadena, Wadena Co., MN, from Minnesota, Deaths and Burials, 1835-1990 batch B02565-4 film 2243486, extracted from index Jul 2012.
  37. FamilySearch Labs Record Search (LDS) online at http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/, Marr. 25 Aug 1914 Ora F d/o Robert H FAIRBAIRN & Sarah C SYMES; Fred E s/o Hiram H SMITH & Mary A SMEAD, New Hampton, Chickasaw, IA, from Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992 batch M02674-7 film 1521503 ref. 360, extracted from index Jul 2012.

E. & O. E. Some/most parish records are rather hard to read and names, places hard to interpret, particularly if you are unfamiliar with an area.