Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

farmer, a common custom in those days,
to work for his board, clothes and schooling.
He lived with several farmers on
these terms, not all of whom performed
their obligation in regard to the oppor-
tunity to attend school. In spite of all
these disadvantages his ambitious spirit
was not quenched, and he has made use
of every opportunity during a long life-
time to acquire knowledge. In August,
1863, he located in Darien, Connecticut,
as a young man of nineteen, and for the
next fifteen years was employed in farm
work. In 1878 he rented a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, and during the
next three years was a farmer on his own
account. At the expiration of his lease,
having by his thrift and industry, accumulated
the means to embark in the dray-
age business, he made a success of his
venture from the start. As time went on
the business grew, and at one period he
owned fourteen horses employed in his
work and had at times to hire other
horses.
On July 8, 1864, Mr. Fairbanks married
Catherine Shelley, born in Cheltenham,
England, February 24, 1847, daughter of
John and Elizabeth (Pillou) Shelley.
Their children were: Sarah Elizabeth,
born August II, 1867, married, April 9,
1890, Harry M. Hindley, of Darien ;
Emily, born August 19, 1869, married,
April 3, 1893, Andrew J. Jayne ; William
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
Mary
K., born July 18, 1872, died July 16, 1907;
John Andrew, born June 15, 1874; Joseph
Shelley, of further mention ; Katie Brown,
born February 22, 1878, died June 8, 1887;
Jennie Louise, born May 12, 1885, married
William E. Gifford, of Worcester, Massachusetts
; Theodore Parker, born December
15, 1887. In July, 1919, Mr. and
Mrs. Fairbanks celebrated the fifty-fifth
anniversary of their marriage, a pleasure
accorded to few, and they are still in ex-
cellent health, with prospects apparently
67
of many years more of congenial wedded
life. Working together, saving together,
sharing life's joys and sorrows, having
accumulated a competence, they can find
satisfaction in the retrospect of lives well
spent. They are both members of St.
Luke's Episcopal Church of Noroton.
(IX) Joseph Shelley Fairbanks, son of
William Henry and Catherine (Shelley)
Fairbanks, was born in Darien, Connecti-
cut, April 5, 1876. He was educated in
the public schools of that town, and at the
age of thirteen went to work. Two years
later he entered the employ of the American
Telegraph and Telephone Company,
employed on line work, gradually work-
ing his upward way until he became a
lineman. After three years experience he
was fitted for his next promotion, a position
known as "trouble hunter." For
three years he remained in this work, and
finding electrical work to his liking he
desired to learn everything possible in
the way of experience. To this end he
went to Denver and accepted a position
with the Denver Electric Light Company,
later going to Lower California in the
interests of the Edison Company. He as-
sisted in the erecting of the largest tension
wire in that part of the State. About
1897 he returned to the East and worked
for the Fisher's Island Electric Light
Company. Here he received reward for
his years of earnest work and careful attention
to all the details of his trade. He
was placed in charge and installed the
plant at Fisher Island. The building of
the lines and the setting up of the ma-
chinery in the power house was under the
direct supervision of Mr. Fairbanks. For
three years he remained as superintendent
and in 1904 removed to Stamford, Con-
necticut, where he accepted a position in
charge of the electrical work of the Yale
& Towne Manufacturing Company. Another
year found him in New York City