Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: FAIRCHILD, CLAUDE W. (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II

p. 443-444



CLAUDE W. FAIRCHILD.

Claude W. Fairchild has the distinction of being the youngest man 
who has ever filled the office of commissioner of Insurance for 
Colorado. He makes his home in Denver and is identified with many of 
its public interests having to do with the welfare and progress of the 
city and of the state. He was born in Ridgeway, Kansas, December 22, 
1877, and is a son of D. S. Fairchild, who was a native of Indiana, 
where the family was established in early pioneer times. His ancestors 
had lived in New England from an early epoch in the development of that 
section of the country and they were of Scotch and English descent. The 
founder of the American branch of the family was Jonathan Fairchild, 
who came from England while this country was still numbered among the 
colonial possessions of Great Britain, settled in Connecticut and among 
his descendants were twenty-six from that state who participated in the 
Revolutionary war. A former president of Oberlin College was also a 
direct ancestor of Mr. Fairchild of this review, and George T. 
Fairchild, a cousin of D. S. Fairchild was for many years president of 
the State Agricultural College of Kansas. D. S. Fairchild was reared 
and educated in Evansville, Indiana, and after his marriage removed 
westward to Kansas with his wife and family, taking up his abode in 
that state in 1875, at which time he located at Ridgeway, where he 
resided to the time of his demise, which occurred on the 17th of 
February, 1918, when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-eight 
years. His life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and stock 
raising and he was successful in his undertakings. He married Ellen M. 
Browder, a native of Kentucky and a representative of one of the old 
families of that state, of Scotch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild were 
married in Corydon, Kentucky, October 24, 1864, and to them were born 
six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom Claude W. Fairchild 
of this review is the youngest. The mother still survives and yet 
occupies the old homestead in Kansas.

Claude W. Fairchild was educated in the public and high schools 
at Overbrook, Kansas, and his early life to the age of fifteen years 
was spent on the home farm with the usual experiences that fall to the 
lot of the farmbred boy. He then left home and started out in the 
business world on his own account, making his way to Colorado, and 
arrived in Colorado Springs in December, 1897. He was an entire 
stranger there, but he possessed qualities which make for success 
anywhere, reminding one of the words of a modern philosopher, who has 
said: "Success does not depend upon a map, but upon a timetable." Mr. 
Fairchild had energy, youth, enterprise and determination. His first 
position was that of a stenographer. He had taken up the study of 
shorthand and typewriting himself and he followed stenographic work for 
several years. He afterward became associated with James D. Husted in 
the live stock business and while thus engaged he formed the 
acquaintance of Governor Ammons, who upon being called to the office of 
chief executive of the state appointed Mr. Fairchild to the office of 
secretary to the governor. He continued to act as secretary to Governor 
Ammons during his term of office and on the 26th of March, 1917, was 
appointed to his present position, that of commissioner of insurance 
for the state of Colorado, being the youngest incumbent that has ever 
served in that capacity. He is proving thoroughly competent to handle 
the important duties that devolve upon him and is making a most 
excellent record in office. He is also a director in the Bank of Lake 
Worth, Florida, and has local interests and investments, in addition to 
which he conducts a cattle ranch in Mesa county, Colorado. In a word, 
he is a forceful and resourceful business man, alert and enterprising, 
constantly watchful of opportunities pointing to success, and his 
advancement in a business way is due in large measure to the fact that 
he has recognized and utilized opportunities that others have passed 
heedlessly by.

On the 27th of June, 1906, in Denver, Mr. Fairchild was united in 
marriage to Ruby Perry Stone, a native of Kansas and a daughter of 
James B. and Mary M. (Fryberger) Perry, representatives of pioneer 
families of Doniphan county, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild have 
been born two children: Browder, who died in infancy; and Edna Louise, 
who was born in Denver, June 11, 1911.

Mr. Fairchild has always taken a lively interest in politics and 
is a stanch advocate of democratic principles. He is well known in 
Masonic circles, holding membership in Arapahoe Lodge, No. 130, A. F. & 
A. M. He was made a Mason in Denver, February 29, 1908, being Initiated 
into Union Lodge, No. 7, A. F. & A. M. He also has membership in Denver 
Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M.; Coronal Commandery, No. 36, K. T.; the 
Scottish Rite bodies, and El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a 
past master of Arapahoe Lodge and is now serving it as treasurer. He is 
also a presiding officer in the Scottish Rite bodies. He likewise 
belongs to the Denver Athletic Club, the Optimists Club, the Civic and 
Commercial Association and to various insurance associations. His wife 
is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is 
a most earnest worker in the Red Cross, in the church and in various 
civic societies and those which have still wider scope and which seek 
the welfare and progress of the individual and of the community at 
large. Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild reside at No. 3545 Alcott street, where 
they own an attractive residence. Mrs. Fairchild has a younger brother, 
Edward L. Perry, who is a first lieutenant in the One Hundred and 
Fifteenth Engineers Corps, in active service in France and thus 
carrying out the record of their ancestors, for they had five who were 
participants in the Revolutionary war, two of whom were honored by 
having their names inscribed on the Bunker Hill monument. Mrs. 
Fairchild is moreover a descendant of Commodore Perry, the famous naval 
hero. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild manifest the deepest interest in 
affairs of public moment and their aid and influence are always on the 
side of progress and improvement. They keep well informed on vital 
questions and are thus able to give active, intelligent and helpful 
support to public movements of worth.