First African American Kansas state legislator. Born: 1843 Loudon County,
Virginia. Married: Sallie. Died: Circa 1916.
A Civil War Veteran and the first African American elected to the Kansas State Legislature, he was born a slave in Loudon County, Virginia. Fairfax reportedly was sold after a foiled escape attempt and removed to Louisiana just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862 he escaped from bondage, joined the Union army, and subsequently learned to read with assistance from "an orderly ergeant." Fairfax became quite influential in the local and state Republican Party during Reconstruction, holding several elective and appointive positions, and receiving a congressional nomination. But, as Southern "redeemers" increasingly tightened their grip on the state, reestablishing white control of the post-Reconstruction South, Fairfax looked north and west for a land in which he might better his condition. Like many thousands of his fellow "freedmen," the Rev. Fairfax chose Kansas, a symbol of hope for many of these political and economic refugees. When Fairfax made his move into the "promised land" in 1880, he took 200 families with him, most of whom located in Chautauqua County. There, Fairfax obtained a 200-acre farm, raised cotton, among other farm products, operated his own cotton gin (the "Fairfax Ginning Company"), and took on the pastorate of the New Hope Baptist Church in Parsons.
********
Like many thousands of his fellow "freedmen," the Rev Fairfax chose Kansas, a symbol of hope for many of these political and economic refugees. When Fairfax
made his move into the "promised land" in 1880, he took 200 families with him, most of whom located in Chautauqua County. There, Fairfax obtained a 200-acre farm, raised cotton, among other farm products, operated his own cotton gin (the "Fairfax Ginning Company"), and took on the pastorate of the New Hope Baptist Church in Parsons.
Because of the great Exodus and their naturally affinity for the party of Lincoln, during the 1880s a number of black Kansans, including Alfred Fairfax,
were nominated for and elected or appointed to public offices. Fairfax achieved political distinction in 1888 when his Chautauqua County neighbors chose him to
represent them in the state legislature. Although few details regarding his single term are known, Representative Fairfax served as chairman of the House
Committee on Immigration, received praise from the white and black press, and made "eloquent" pleas for fairness and equality of opportunity. All he asked was that "the sins committed by the enslavers of ... [the Negro] race be not forever charged against him and," Fairfax pined, "that the great state of Kansas, the glorious leader of every reform, shall not take a backward step by continuing to
legalize distinction and discrimination against a loyal, brave and true race even though their faces be dark."
**************
A. Farfax, "United States Census, 1880"
Name: A. Farfax
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1880
Event Place: Little Caney, Chautauqua, Kansas, United States
Gender: Male Age: 37
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Clergiman
Race (Original):Ethnicity: American
Relationship to Head of Household: Self
Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Birth Date: 1843
Spouse's Name: S. A. Farfax
Spouse's Birthplace: Louisiana, United States
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Entry Number: 2994
Affiliate Film Number: T9-0375
GS Film number: 1254375
Digital Folder Number: 004241242
Image Number: 00627
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Self A. Farfax M 37 Virginia, United States
Wife S. A. Farfax F 36 Louisiana, United States
Other Precila Reaston F 55 Virginia, United States
Other Violett Wallice F 21 Louisiana, United States
Granddaughter M. Ireland F 11 Louisiana, United States
**************
Alfred Fairfax, "United States Census, 1910"
Name: Alfred Fairfax
Event Place: Parsons Ward 2, Labette, Kansas
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Relationship to Head of Household: Self
Birthplace: Virginia
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household ID: 170
Alfred Fairfax M 67y Virginia
WIFE Sallie Fairfax F 60y Louisiana
Cyris Bowers M 11y Kansas
Mochie Michell M 9y Kansas
The Parsons Daily Sun, 11 Mar 1916, Sat, Page 6
Rev. Alfred Fairfax, age 77 years, colored, died this morning at his home, 1303 Morton Avenue, after an illness of more than a year. No funeral arrangements have been made yet as relatives from out of town are coming.
Rev. Fairfax was one of the best known colored men in Parsons and for a great many years was pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church. He helped build that church for the colored people. Mrs. Fairfax died several months ago. Rev. Fairfax was highly respected among the colored people here and had many friends here.
Virginia. Married: Sallie. Died: Circa 1916.
A Civil War Veteran and the first African American elected to the Kansas State Legislature, he was born a slave in Loudon County, Virginia. Fairfax reportedly was sold after a foiled escape attempt and removed to Louisiana just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862 he escaped from bondage, joined the Union army, and subsequently learned to read with assistance from "an orderly ergeant." Fairfax became quite influential in the local and state Republican Party during Reconstruction, holding several elective and appointive positions, and receiving a congressional nomination. But, as Southern "redeemers" increasingly tightened their grip on the state, reestablishing white control of the post-Reconstruction South, Fairfax looked north and west for a land in which he might better his condition. Like many thousands of his fellow "freedmen," the Rev. Fairfax chose Kansas, a symbol of hope for many of these political and economic refugees. When Fairfax made his move into the "promised land" in 1880, he took 200 families with him, most of whom located in Chautauqua County. There, Fairfax obtained a 200-acre farm, raised cotton, among other farm products, operated his own cotton gin (the "Fairfax Ginning Company"), and took on the pastorate of the New Hope Baptist Church in Parsons.
********
Like many thousands of his fellow "freedmen," the Rev Fairfax chose Kansas, a symbol of hope for many of these political and economic refugees. When Fairfax
made his move into the "promised land" in 1880, he took 200 families with him, most of whom located in Chautauqua County. There, Fairfax obtained a 200-acre farm, raised cotton, among other farm products, operated his own cotton gin (the "Fairfax Ginning Company"), and took on the pastorate of the New Hope Baptist Church in Parsons.
Because of the great Exodus and their naturally affinity for the party of Lincoln, during the 1880s a number of black Kansans, including Alfred Fairfax,
were nominated for and elected or appointed to public offices. Fairfax achieved political distinction in 1888 when his Chautauqua County neighbors chose him to
represent them in the state legislature. Although few details regarding his single term are known, Representative Fairfax served as chairman of the House
Committee on Immigration, received praise from the white and black press, and made "eloquent" pleas for fairness and equality of opportunity. All he asked was that "the sins committed by the enslavers of ... [the Negro] race be not forever charged against him and," Fairfax pined, "that the great state of Kansas, the glorious leader of every reform, shall not take a backward step by continuing to
legalize distinction and discrimination against a loyal, brave and true race even though their faces be dark."
**************
A. Farfax, "United States Census, 1880"
Name: A. Farfax
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1880
Event Place: Little Caney, Chautauqua, Kansas, United States
Gender: Male Age: 37
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Clergiman
Race (Original):Ethnicity: American
Relationship to Head of Household: Self
Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Birth Date: 1843
Spouse's Name: S. A. Farfax
Spouse's Birthplace: Louisiana, United States
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Entry Number: 2994
Affiliate Film Number: T9-0375
GS Film number: 1254375
Digital Folder Number: 004241242
Image Number: 00627
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Self A. Farfax M 37 Virginia, United States
Wife S. A. Farfax F 36 Louisiana, United States
Other Precila Reaston F 55 Virginia, United States
Other Violett Wallice F 21 Louisiana, United States
Granddaughter M. Ireland F 11 Louisiana, United States
**************
Alfred Fairfax, "United States Census, 1910"
Name: Alfred Fairfax
Event Place: Parsons Ward 2, Labette, Kansas
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Relationship to Head of Household: Self
Birthplace: Virginia
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household ID: 170
Alfred Fairfax M 67y Virginia
WIFE Sallie Fairfax F 60y Louisiana
Cyris Bowers M 11y Kansas
Mochie Michell M 9y Kansas
The Parsons Daily Sun, 11 Mar 1916, Sat, Page 6
Rev. Alfred Fairfax, age 77 years, colored, died this morning at his home, 1303 Morton Avenue, after an illness of more than a year. No funeral arrangements have been made yet as relatives from out of town are coming.
Rev. Fairfax was one of the best known colored men in Parsons and for a great many years was pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church. He helped build that church for the colored people. Mrs. Fairfax died several months ago. Rev. Fairfax was highly respected among the colored people here and had many friends here.
First African American Kansas state legislator. Born: 1843 Loudon County,
Virginia. Married: Sallie. Died: Circa 1916.
A Civil War Veteran and the first African American elected to the Kansas State Legislature, he was born a slave in Loudon County, Virginia. Fairfax reportedly was sold after a foiled escape attempt and removed to Louisiana just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862 he escaped from bondage, joined the Union army, and subsequently learned to read with assistance from "an orderly ergeant." Fairfax became quite influential in the local and state Republican Party during Reconstruction, holding several elective and appointive positions, and receiving a congressional nomination. But, as Southern "redeemers" increasingly tightened their grip on the state, reestablishing white control of the post-Reconstruction South, Fairfax looked north and west for a land in which he might better his condition. Like many thousands of his fellow "freedmen," the Rev. Fairfax chose Kansas, a symbol of hope for many of these political and economic refugees. When Fairfax made his move into the "promised land" in 1880, he took 200 families with him, most of whom located in Chautauqua County. There, Fairfax obtained a 200-acre farm, raised cotton, among other farm products, operated his own cotton gin (the "Fairfax Ginning Company"), and took on the pastorate of the New Hope Baptist Church in Parsons.
********
Like many thousands of his fellow "freedmen," the Rev Fairfax chose Kansas, a symbol of hope for many of these political and economic refugees. When Fairfax
made his move into the "promised land" in 1880, he took 200 families with him, most of whom located in Chautauqua County. There, Fairfax obtained a 200-acre farm, raised cotton, among other farm products, operated his own cotton gin (the "Fairfax Ginning Company"), and took on the pastorate of the New Hope Baptist Church in Parsons.
Because of the great Exodus and their naturally affinity for the party of Lincoln, during the 1880s a number of black Kansans, including Alfred Fairfax,
were nominated for and elected or appointed to public offices. Fairfax achieved political distinction in 1888 when his Chautauqua County neighbors chose him to
represent them in the state legislature. Although few details regarding his single term are known, Representative Fairfax served as chairman of the House
Committee on Immigration, received praise from the white and black press, and made "eloquent" pleas for fairness and equality of opportunity. All he asked was that "the sins committed by the enslavers of ... [the Negro] race be not forever charged against him and," Fairfax pined, "that the great state of Kansas, the glorious leader of every reform, shall not take a backward step by continuing to
legalize distinction and discrimination against a loyal, brave and true race even though their faces be dark."
**************
A. Farfax, "United States Census, 1880"
Name: A. Farfax
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1880
Event Place: Little Caney, Chautauqua, Kansas, United States
Gender: Male Age: 37
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Clergiman
Race (Original):Ethnicity: American
Relationship to Head of Household: Self
Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Birth Date: 1843
Spouse's Name: S. A. Farfax
Spouse's Birthplace: Louisiana, United States
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Entry Number: 2994
Affiliate Film Number: T9-0375
GS Film number: 1254375
Digital Folder Number: 004241242
Image Number: 00627
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Self A. Farfax M 37 Virginia, United States
Wife S. A. Farfax F 36 Louisiana, United States
Other Precila Reaston F 55 Virginia, United States
Other Violett Wallice F 21 Louisiana, United States
Granddaughter M. Ireland F 11 Louisiana, United States
**************
Alfred Fairfax, "United States Census, 1910"
Name: Alfred Fairfax
Event Place: Parsons Ward 2, Labette, Kansas
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Relationship to Head of Household: Self
Birthplace: Virginia
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household ID: 170
Alfred Fairfax M 67y Virginia
WIFE Sallie Fairfax F 60y Louisiana
Cyris Bowers M 11y Kansas
Mochie Michell M 9y Kansas
The Parsons Daily Sun, 11 Mar 1916, Sat, Page 6
Rev. Alfred Fairfax, age 77 years, colored, died this morning at his home, 1303 Morton Avenue, after an illness of more than a year. No funeral arrangements have been made yet as relatives from out of town are coming.
Rev. Fairfax was one of the best known colored men in Parsons and for a great many years was pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church. He helped build that church for the colored people. Mrs. Fairfax died several months ago. Rev. Fairfax was highly respected among the colored people here and had many friends here.
Virginia. Married: Sallie. Died: Circa 1916.
A Civil War Veteran and the first African American elected to the Kansas State Legislature, he was born a slave in Loudon County, Virginia. Fairfax reportedly was sold after a foiled escape attempt and removed to Louisiana just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1862 he escaped from bondage, joined the Union army, and subsequently learned to read with assistance from "an orderly ergeant." Fairfax became quite influential in the local and state Republican Party during Reconstruction, holding several elective and appointive positions, and receiving a congressional nomination. But, as Southern "redeemers" increasingly tightened their grip on the state, reestablishing white control of the post-Reconstruction South, Fairfax looked north and west for a land in which he might better his condition. Like many thousands of his fellow "freedmen," the Rev. Fairfax chose Kansas, a symbol of hope for many of these political and economic refugees. When Fairfax made his move into the "promised land" in 1880, he took 200 families with him, most of whom located in Chautauqua County. There, Fairfax obtained a 200-acre farm, raised cotton, among other farm products, operated his own cotton gin (the "Fairfax Ginning Company"), and took on the pastorate of the New Hope Baptist Church in Parsons.
********
Like many thousands of his fellow "freedmen," the Rev Fairfax chose Kansas, a symbol of hope for many of these political and economic refugees. When Fairfax
made his move into the "promised land" in 1880, he took 200 families with him, most of whom located in Chautauqua County. There, Fairfax obtained a 200-acre farm, raised cotton, among other farm products, operated his own cotton gin (the "Fairfax Ginning Company"), and took on the pastorate of the New Hope Baptist Church in Parsons.
Because of the great Exodus and their naturally affinity for the party of Lincoln, during the 1880s a number of black Kansans, including Alfred Fairfax,
were nominated for and elected or appointed to public offices. Fairfax achieved political distinction in 1888 when his Chautauqua County neighbors chose him to
represent them in the state legislature. Although few details regarding his single term are known, Representative Fairfax served as chairman of the House
Committee on Immigration, received praise from the white and black press, and made "eloquent" pleas for fairness and equality of opportunity. All he asked was that "the sins committed by the enslavers of ... [the Negro] race be not forever charged against him and," Fairfax pined, "that the great state of Kansas, the glorious leader of every reform, shall not take a backward step by continuing to
legalize distinction and discrimination against a loyal, brave and true race even though their faces be dark."
**************
A. Farfax, "United States Census, 1880"
Name: A. Farfax
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1880
Event Place: Little Caney, Chautauqua, Kansas, United States
Gender: Male Age: 37
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Clergiman
Race (Original):Ethnicity: American
Relationship to Head of Household: Self
Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Birth Date: 1843
Spouse's Name: S. A. Farfax
Spouse's Birthplace: Louisiana, United States
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Entry Number: 2994
Affiliate Film Number: T9-0375
GS Film number: 1254375
Digital Folder Number: 004241242
Image Number: 00627
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Self A. Farfax M 37 Virginia, United States
Wife S. A. Farfax F 36 Louisiana, United States
Other Precila Reaston F 55 Virginia, United States
Other Violett Wallice F 21 Louisiana, United States
Granddaughter M. Ireland F 11 Louisiana, United States
**************
Alfred Fairfax, "United States Census, 1910"
Name: Alfred Fairfax
Event Place: Parsons Ward 2, Labette, Kansas
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Relationship to Head of Household: Self
Birthplace: Virginia
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Household ID: 170
Alfred Fairfax M 67y Virginia
WIFE Sallie Fairfax F 60y Louisiana
Cyris Bowers M 11y Kansas
Mochie Michell M 9y Kansas
The Parsons Daily Sun, 11 Mar 1916, Sat, Page 6
Rev. Alfred Fairfax, age 77 years, colored, died this morning at his home, 1303 Morton Avenue, after an illness of more than a year. No funeral arrangements have been made yet as relatives from out of town are coming.
Rev. Fairfax was one of the best known colored men in Parsons and for a great many years was pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church. He helped build that church for the colored people. Mrs. Fairfax died several months ago. Rev. Fairfax was highly respected among the colored people here and had many friends here.
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