Charles S. Fairfax facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Fairfax of Cameron
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| 5th Speaker of the California State Assembly | |
| In office Jan 1854 – May 1854 |
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| Preceded by | Isaac B. Wall |
| Succeeded by | William W. Stow |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 15th district |
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| In office 1853–1854 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | March 8, 1829 Vaucluse Plantation, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | April 4, 1869 (aged 40) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Rock Creek Cemetery Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Ada Benham
(m. 1855) |
| Relations | John Fairfax, 11th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (brother) |
| Parents | Albert Fairfax Caroline Eliza Snowden |
| Profession | Politician |
Charles Snowden Fairfax (born March 8, 1829 – died April 4, 1869) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party in California. Charles also held a special title from Scotland, called a Scottish peerage. He moved west during the exciting time of the California Gold Rush. The town of Fairfax, California is named after him.
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Early Life and Family
Charles Snowden Fairfax was born on March 8, 1829. His birthplace was the Vaucluse Plantation in Virginia. He was the oldest son of Albert Fairfax and Caroline Eliza Snowden. His parents got married on April 7, 1828.
Charles had a younger brother named John Fairfax. When Charles passed away in 1869, John became the 11th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. Their grandfather was Thomas Fairfax, 9th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. After Charles's father, his mother married William R. Saunders on May 1, 1838.
Moving to California
Even though he was a potential Lord, Charles Fairfax left his home in Richmond, Virginia. He joined 74 other people looking for gold. They sailed on a ship called the Glenmore. After getting off the ship, they crossed Panama. Then, Charles boarded a second ship, a steamer named California. He arrived in San Francisco on June 23, 1850.
Life as a Miner
Life as a miner in the California mother lode was very different for Charles. He had grown up as a gentleman farmer. Still, he tried his hand at mining for a while. He searched for gold in many places. However, he often lost any money he found very quickly. People told stories of him working for others. He would push a wheelbarrow or lead a mule pulling a cart of gravel. He even worked in the muddy digging areas.
Entering Politics
In 1851, Charles decided to leave the goldfields. He started a new career in politics. He became a delegate for the Democratic National Convention. This meant he represented his party at important meetings.
Fairfax became a member of the California State Assembly. This is like a state parliament. He first represented Yuba and Sierra Counties from 1853 to 1854. Then, he represented only Yuba County from 1854 to 1855. In 1854, he was chosen to be the Speaker of the Assembly. This is a very important leadership role.
Later, he worked as the Clerk of the Supreme Court of California. He held this job from 1856 to 1861. From 1865 to 1867, he served as a Supervisor for Marin County.
Personal Life
In 1854, Charles Fairfax met Ada Benham in San Francisco. They got married on January 10, 1855. The wedding took place in Louisville, Kentucky. It was at the home of Ada's stepsister, Henrietta Prentice. Charles and Ada did not have any children.
Their Home in California
After their wedding, Charles and Ada returned to San Francisco. They visited Charles's childhood friend, Dr. Alfred Taliaferro. He lived in a country home in Marin County. Charles and Ada loved the property very much. As a wedding gift, Dr. Taliaferro gave them the estate. So, in 1855, the couple moved to what would become the town of Fairfax, California.
They made many improvements to their new home. They named it Bird's Nest Glen. Charles brought in game birds because he loved hunting. Ada planted many trees and flowers around the house. The estate, Bird's Nest Glen, is now a historic landmark. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Fairfaxes loved to entertain guests. Their friends often said, "Let's go to the Fairfax's," or "Let's go to Fairfax." Because of this, the area became known as Fairfax. This name stayed even after Charles and Ada moved away. The town was officially named Fairfax when it was formed in 1931.
Their estate was also near a famous spot. It was where the last political duel in California happened. This was on May 25, 1861. Two State Assemblymen, Daniel Showalter and Charles W. Piercy, fought there. Charles Fairfax served them lunch and tried to stop them. But the two men went to a grassy field. They fired rifles at each other from 40 paces away. Piercy was killed by the second shot.
Death
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Charles S. Fairfax died suddenly on April 4, 1869. He was 40 years old. He passed away at Barnum's City Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. He had traveled east as a leader of the California group. They were going to the Democratic National Convention in New York City. Charles is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington, D.C. His wife is also buried there.
Charles Fairfax was very connected to California, his adopted state. He was well-known and respected on the Pacific coast. He was also highly regarded in the Masonic fraternity. Members of this group arranged for a large delegation to attend his funeral.
