Hancock County IL Archives Biographies.....Fairchild, William R. January 23, 1840 - 
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Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com November 9, 2009, 7:25 pm

Source: Hancock, McDonough and Hnederson Counties, Illinois
Author: Unknown

WILLIAM R. FAIRCHILD is extensively 
engaged in coal dealing in Warsaw, hav- 
ing carried on that line of business in this 
place for ten years. He comes from the Buckeye 
State, his birth having occurred in Warrenville, 
Cuyahoga County, Ohio, January 23, 1840. His 
parents were Levi and Dyerdana (Barber) Fair- 
child. The Fairchild family is of Scotch origin. 
The father of our subject was a native of the Em- 
pire State, and by occupation was a farmer and 
carpenter. He emigrated to Illinois in June, 1849, 
and spent his last days in Augusta, where his 
death occurred on the 3d of August, 1879. His 
widow still survives him. To them was born a 
family of seven children. 

Mr. Fairchild of this sketch, who was the third 
in order of birth, was reared in the usual manner 
of farmer lads, no event of special importance oc- 
curring during his boyhood and youth. He aid- 
ed in the cultivation of the old homestead farm 
until after the breaking out of the late war, when, 
prompted by patriotic impulses, he responded to 
the country's call for troops, enlisting on the 7th 
of August, 1862, as a private of Company H, 
Seventy-second Illinois Infantry. His service 
was principally in the Department of the Missis- 
sippi, and he participated in a number of import- 
ant battles. During the latter part of his term 
he served as Corporal. When hostilities had 
ceased, and the Stars and Stripes once more waved 
over a land of peace, he was honorably discharged, 
on the 7th of August, 1865. 

Returning to his old home in Augusta. Mr. 
Fairchild there remained until 1867, when he en- 
gaged in coal-mining and in running a construc- 
tion train on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad. In the same year he went to St. Louis, 
and while there was united in marriage with 
Miss Dora Ruger, daughter of Martin Ruger, 
their union being celebrated on the 7th of August, 
1867. 

After going to the city, Mr. Fairchild entered 
the employ of the Pacific Railroad Company, with 
which he continued for about a year and a-half. 
His residence in Warsaw dates from 1868, at 
which time he began dealing in threshing-ma- 
chines and also commenced teaming. He success- 
fully continued this dual occupation until 1884, 
when he embarked in the coal trade. He now 
handles about forty-five hundred tons of coal per 
year, and receives a liberal patronage from the 
surrounding farmers as well as the citizens ot 
Warsaw. He possesses good business and execu- 
tive ability, and by close attention to details, per- 
severance and enterprise, he has won the success 
which has crowned his efforts. Mr. Fairchild 
takes some interest in civic societies and holds 
membership with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America 
and the Grand Army of the Republic. He exer- 
cises his right of franchise in support of the Re- 
publican party, and is a warm advocate of its 
principles, but has never been a politician in the 
sense of office-seeking, preferring to devote his en- 
tire time and attention to his business interests. 

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