Death Of Stephen Fairchild

Death of Stephen Fairchild.

Stephen Fairchild, known to nearly every one in the county, is dead. Death brought a welcome release to him from a life of suffering at five o'clock last Monday morning at the home of his sister in Toledo. He was one of those who at the commencement of the war went out a strong and healthy farmers boy. He joined the Twentieth Michigan, being a member of company F. Before Petersburg while charging up a hill, which necessitated his bending forward, he was shot by a sharp shooter above him. The ball lodged so near the spine that it was though impossible for him to live, and the most skillful surgeons neither then nor afterwards dared take the rick of attempting its removal. On account of this wound he was partially paralized below the arms. Although disabled in this manner, he retained his power for mental and clerical work. He was elected treasurer of Sharon. In 1870 he was elected county treasurer by 85 majority and was the only republican elected on his ticket. In 1872 he received a majority of 1770 for the same place. In 1874 although the democrats carried the county by about 500 majority, Mr. Fairchild was again reelected by 1023. He ran for a fourth term in 1876, and although he ran ahead of his ticket he was defeated by Matthew Gensley. In 1878, he was again the republican candidate for county treasurer and this time he was elected by 569 majority. In 1886 he was again nominated for the same position but was defeated by county treasurer Belser. For some years he was secretary of the Washtenaw Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. He went to his sisters in Toledo the Saturday preceeding the November election in 1886 with the expectation of returning in time to vote. But he was never able to again visit Ann Arbor. The disease of which he died, consumption, grew out of the wound he had received before Petersburg. He was an upright, conscientious man, honorable in all his dealings and of the utmost patience while suffering.

The funeral services were held in the Sharon church at three o'clock Wednesday and was largely attended despite the snow drifts which made travelling difficult. The Grass Lake G.A.R. post had charge of the services and delegations from Manchester, Saline and Ann Arbor were present. The floral offerings were very numerous and beautiful. Rev. J. T. Sunderland of this city preached the funeral sermon and Rev. Mr. Gallup, of the Ypsilanti Baptist church, made some fitting remarks.