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| FERDINAND FAIRMAN, senior member of the banking house of Fairman & Newton, Big Rapids, was born in the township of Lyme, Jefferson Co., N.Y., July 15, 1833. His father, George W. Fairman, was born in the year 1812, near Ottawa, Canada; is a farmer by occupation and resides in Jefferson County. His mother, Mary A (Fox) Fairman, was born in Lyne Tp., her parents were pioneer settlers of Jefferson Co., and were originally from the northeastern part of the State of New York, on Lake Champlain. Mr. Fairman was brought up and educated as was the custom among the agricultural communities of that locality and period. He was a boy of energy and spirit, and early in life determined to make the most of such advanatges as presented themselves. By the time he was 18 years of age he had acquired a solid and available education, which he turned to account by teaching school winters, alternating with farm summers, until he reached the age of 26 years, when, in company with Alpheus Parker, he commenced a general mercantile business at Alexandria in his native county. The firm title and style was Parker & Fairman, and the relation existed until the winter of 1865. At that date he purchased the interest of his partner, conducting the business alone until 1871, and with a fair degree of success. Selling his stock, he removed to Adams, Jefferson Co., in order to secure better educational advantages for his children, and because of his own impaired health. He spent the two years following in traveling through the South and Southwest, prospecting for a business location. He was afterwards impressed with the feasibility of Big Rapids as a business point, and in the summer of 1873 invested in real estate in that city. He removed his family to this place purposing to enter largely into real estate brockerage. The financial demoralization that swept the country about that time unsettled his plans, and he accepted a proffered situation as cashier of the Exchange Bank, where he officiated one year. His health was still precarious, and in the winter of 1874-5 he went to Texas to obtain the advantages of the genial climate, and interested himself in the purchase of lands. He came back to Big Rapids in the spring, and in the autumn of 1875, in partnership with Samuel T. Potter, of Jefferson Co., N.Y., opened a banking house under the firm name of Fairman & Potter. The partnership was dissolved in January, 1879, and Mr. Fairman conducted the banking business alone until November, 1881, when he admitted Mrs. M J. Newton of Jefferson Co., to an interest with himself. Mrs. Newton retired Aug. 10, 1882, her son Samuel L. Newton, (the ward of Mr. Fairman), succeeding to a one-half interest, and also to a moiety in the Fairman & Newton Block. The business of the house has since been prosperous and its relations constantly increasing. Its advantages are based upon years of experience and ample capital, together with the stability afforded by the character and record of the gentlemen who regulate its relations. The business qualifications f Mr. Fairman, as well as his methods, well-known and tested by those with whom he is connected in his financial transactions, are such as to warrant the confidence which they inspire. In 1876 Mr. Fairman loaned a considerable sum of money to the parties controlling the Big Rapids Iron Works, securing himself by mortgage. The affairs of the concern became involved and Mr. Fairman foreclosed in 1878. He at once entered upon the duty of utilizing the power and fixtures and managed the business with entire success, and by his systematic methods and forethought built up a creditable trade. He sold the establishment in October, 1881, to Messrs. Cannon & Gottshall. In 1879, the disasterous fire of October 19, destroyed the new Mason House Block, and in 1880 Mr. Fairman purchased its site and erected what is known as the Fairman & Newton Block, naming it in honor of the young man who, in 1882, became his associate in the banking house. Mr. Fairman has been for some years, and still, is operating quite extensively in real estate, on his own behalf and in the interest of other parties. He was married July 3, 1855, to Julia M. Waters, daughter of Andrew and Catherine Waters, who was born at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., N.Y., July 3, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Fariman have three children: Thyrza J. is the wife of E. W. Hudnutt, of the Falcon Planing Mills; George F. is acting cashier of in the bank of Fairman & Newton; Jessie M. is the youngest child and lives with her parents. We place th portrait of Mr. Fairman in this Album in connection with this sketch. |