Cornelia Cole Fairbanks

Cornelia Cole Fairbanks
Second Lady of the United States
In office March 4, 1905 – March 4, 1909
Preceded by	Edith Roosevelt
Succeeded by	Carrie Babcock Sherman
Personal details
Born	1852
Died	1913 (aged 60–61)
Spouse(s)	Charles W. Fairbanks
Children	Adelaide, Robert, Richard, Frederick, Warren
Alma mater	Ohio Wesleyan Female College
Religion	Methodist Episcopal

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.

Early life

She was born in 1852 in Marysville, Ohio,^[1] the daughter of Ohio State Senator Philander Cole and Dorothy Witter.^[2] She attended the Ohio Wesleyan Female College, where she graduated with an A.B. in 1872.^[3] In 1874 she married Charles Fairbanks, whom she had met at Ohio Wesleyan while working for the school paper.^[4] 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.^[4]

Indianapolis

She was one of the founders of the all-women's Fortnightly Literary Club in Indianapolis, serving as its first president between 1885-1888.^[5] She also served on the State Board of Charities during this period.^[4]

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 Revolution 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.^[5] In 1907 her chapter of DAR was organized, with 28 charter members.^[6] She was also active with the George Junior Republic movement.^[3]

After her husband left office, they traveled the world in 1910,^[5] including an appearance in King Edward VII's court. Her attire from this event is housed at the Smithsonian Institution.^[7]

Fairbanks' grave in Crown Hill Cemetery Indianapolis, Indiana.

Legacy

Fairbanks died in 1913.^[1] She is buried alongside her husband in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, who would pass in 1918.^[8]

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.^[9] She was one of the best known women in the United States during her time, and considered as clever of politician as her husband.^[4]

Fairbanks was a champion of Protestant Christianity, and supported missionary work.^[4]

In 1899 she hosted a trip for the British and American Joint High Commission to Alaska.^[10] 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.^[11]

Marriage and family

Cornelia and Charles had four sons and one daughter:^[12][13]

• 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

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Mrs. C. W. Fairbanks Dead", New York Times. October 25, 1913. Retrieved 2010-03-06
2. ^ "Lineage Book, Volume 10", Daughters of the American Revolution. 1899. p. 200. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
3. ^ ^{a b} "Woman's who's who of America", John W. Leonard. The American Commonwealth Company, 1914. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
4. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Madame President 1901-1905: Nellie Fairbanks, pathfinder to politics for American women", Lucy Jane King. Author House. 2008. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Indiana Magazine of History, Volume 9", Indiana University. 1913. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
6. ^ "The Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Chapter", Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
7. ^ "Report on the progress and condition of the United States National Museum", United States National Museum. 1918. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
8. ^ "Indiana Statesman Succumbs to Intestinal Nephritis After Long Illness at His Home", New York Times. June 5, 1918. Retrieved 2010-03-06
9. ^ "Cornelia Cole Fairbanks", Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Chapter DAR. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
10. ^ "Know your vice presidents and their wives", George Edward Ross, Barbara Novack. Hawkes Publishing Company. 1976. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
11. ^ "Winter Newsletter 2005", Fairbanks. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
12. ^ "ROBERT C. FAIRBANKS", Indiana History. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.
13. ^ "Presidential Children's Names", Name Nerds. Retrieved 20 mar 2010.

External links

Biography portal

• Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Chapter DAR
• About Cornelia Cole Fairbanks

Honorary titles
Preceded by Edith Roosevelt	Second Lady of the United States 1905-1909	Succeeded by Carrie Babcock Sherman

Persondata
Name	Fairbanks, Cornelia Cole
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1852
Place of birth
Date of death	October 25, 1913
Place of death