Cornelia "Nellie" Cole Fairbanks (née Cole; January 14, 1852 – October 24, 1913) was the wife of Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks. During her husband's tenure she was the second lady of the United States from 1905 to 1909. She was a leader in the women's suffrage movement and considered a pathfinder to politics for American women in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Early life and education, marriage and family Cornelia Cole was born in 1852 in Marysville, Ohio, the daughter of Ohio State Senator Philander Cole and his wife, Dorothy (Witter) Cole."Lineage Book, Volume 10", Daughters of the American Revolution. 1899. p. 200. Retrieved March 20, 2010. She attended the Ohio Wesleyan Female College, from which she earned an A.B. in 1872."Woman's who's who of America", John W. Leonard. The American Commonwealth Company, 1914. Retrieved March 20, 2010.

In 1874, she married Charles Fairbanks, whom she had met at Ohio Wesleyan while working for the school paper. They had four sons and one daughter:"Presidential Children's Names", Name Nerds. Retrieved March 20, 2010. Robert Fairbanks (who attended Yale) Richard M. Fairbanks (who attended Yale and served as a captain in World War I) Adelaide Fairbanks (who married Dr. Horace Allen, a physician) Warren Charles Fairbanks Frederick Cole Fairbanks

Cornelia and Charles Fairbanks moved to Indiana where he began practicing law, and she read with him and assisted in his practice, eventually encouraging him to enter politics."Madame President 1901-1905: Nellie Fairbanks, pathfinder to politics for American women", Lucy Jane King. Author House. 2008. Retrieved March 20, 2010.

Activities She was one of the founders of the all-women's Fortnightly Literary Club in Indianapolis, serving as its first president between 1885 and 1888."Indiana Magazine of History, Volume 9", Indiana University. 1913. Retrieved March 20, 2010. She also served on the State Board of Charities during this period.

With her husband serving as a U.S. Senator beginning in 1897, the couple came to Washington, D.C. In 1899 she hosted a trip for the British and American Joint High Commission to Alaska."Know your vice presidents and their wives", George Edward Ross, Barbara Novack. Hawkes Publishing Company. 1976. Retrieved March 20, 2010. Fairbanks, Alaska was named in honor of her husband shortly thereafter.

Cornelia was elected President General of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in 1901, and she served two terms in that capacity. During her tenure she helped raise funds to construct the society's Memorial Continental Hall in Washington. In 1907, her chapter of DAR was organized, with 28 charter members."The Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Chapter" , Retrieved March 20, 2010. She was active with the George Junior Republic movement.

After her husband left office, they traveled the world in 1910, including an appearance in King Edward VII's court. Her attire from this event is housed at the Smithsonian Institution."Report on the progress and condition of the United States National Museum", United States National Museum. 1918. Retrieved March 20, 2010. Fairbanks was a proponent of Protestant Christianity, and supported missionary work.

Fairbanks died of pneumonia, aged 61, in 1913."Mrs. C. W. Fairbanks Dead", The New York Times. October 25, 1913. Retrieved 2010-03-06"Many Mourn Death of Mrs. Fairbanks", Shelbyville Shelby Republican, Thursday, October 30, 1913, Shelbyville, Indiana, United States Of America She was survived by her children, husband, and mother."Dead", Bedford Daily Mail, Saturday, October 25, 1913, Bedford, Indiana, United States Of America She is buried alongside her husband, who would die in 1918, in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana."Indiana Statesman Succumbs to Intestinal Nephritis After Long Illness at His Home", The New York Times. June 5, 1918. Retrieved 2010-03-06.

Legacy

Cornelia Cole Fairbanks was considered a powerful progressive operative behind the political scenes, and helped pave the way for women leaders in the United States. She 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."Cornelia Cole Fairbanks" , Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Chapter DAR. Retrieved March 20, 2010.

In her husband's will, he left funds for the Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Trust Fund, which helped create the Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Memorial Home, an alcohol addiction treatment center in Indianapolis."Winter Newsletter 2005"

References

External links

Cornelia Cole Fairbanks Chapter DAR About Cornelia Cole Fairbanks