Governor of Vermont. In 1824 he formed a business partnership with his brother Thaddeus to manufacture stoves and plows, E & T Fairbanks and Company, which later included their brother Joseph. In 1830 Thaddeus invented the platform scale, which proved so successful the Fairbanks company established a world wide customer base and became Vermont's largest employer. Erastus Fairbanks served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1836 to 1838. In 1851 he was elected Governor as a Whig, and served two one-year terms. He was one of the founders of the Republican party, and was a Delegate to its first national convention in 1856. In 1860 he was again elected Governor and served two one-year terms. During his second stint in office he contributed to the prosecution of the Civil War by calling a special legislative session to rapidly raise and dispatch troops and equipment. A noted anti-slavery advocate, he gained national acclaim when he responded to Lincoln's first call for troops by telling Vermont's Legislature the war must be won "whatever cost of men and treasure." His son Horace became President of the Fairbanks company and served as Governor from 1876 to 1878, and his son Franklin served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.

Governor of Vermont. In 1824 he formed a business partnership with his brother Thaddeus to manufacture stoves and plows, E & T Fairbanks and Company, which later included their brother Joseph. In 1830 Thaddeus invented the platform scale, which proved so successful the Fairbanks company established a world wide customer base and became Vermont's largest employer. Erastus Fairbanks served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1836 to 1838. In 1851 he was elected Governor as a Whig, and served two one-year terms. He was one of the founders of the Republican party, and was a Delegate to its first national convention in 1856. In 1860 he was again elected Governor and served two one-year terms. During his second stint in office he contributed to the prosecution of the Civil War by calling a special legislative session to rapidly raise and dispatch troops and equipment. A noted anti-slavery advocate, he gained national acclaim when he responded to Lincoln's first call for troops by telling Vermont's Legislature the war must be won "whatever cost of men and treasure." His son Horace became President of the Fairbanks company and served as Governor from 1876 to 1878, and his son Franklin served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.

Bio by: Bill McKern