A Baby Book from 1910

Three generations of baby books
The pink one is mine born 1954, the white one is my mom's, Jill Mayne born 1935 and the blue one belonged to my grandmother, Elaine Coffman.

Do you have a baby book?  How about your parents or grandparents?  I am fortunate to have in my possession, three generations of baby books.  The oldest one belonged to my grandmother, Elaine Blanche Coffman, 1910-2010.  This book is over 100 years old and is a treasure.  My grandmother was born in New York City on August 29, 1910.  Here are a few of the images from the 1910 book.

Elaine Coffman's Baby Book, 1910, Cover image

List of gifts received for Elaine Coffman in August and September of 1910 in New York City. 

I guess you could call the people on this list of gifts, my grandmother's "FAN" club.  Genealogists use the acronym FAN for family/friends, associates and neighbors.  I recognize a few of the names in the "FAN" club. The list was written by Elaine's mother, Mae Blanche Moss 1882-1963. Elaine's father was Ernest Ellsworth Coffman 1879-1934. Ernest and Mae were married in Oakland, California in 1907 and they moved to New York in 1908. My great-grandmother and my grandmother have similar handwriting.   Aunt Grace would be Grace May King 1885-1968, the wife of Otis Coffman.  Otis was Ernest's brother.  "Grand Ma Coffman" is Harriet Ketcham, wife of Archibald Coffman. Viola N. Hughes is Ernest's sister and aunt of Elaine.

The friends bear further scrutiny.  No surname is given for Paul and Helen so they are difficult to trace.  George Larkin and Miss J. McAllister are perhaps a couple.  There are several men named George Larkin in the 1910 census so it is hard to determine which one would match.

Thomas W. Gleason gave a pair of pink booties.  There was a Thomas W. Gleason, age 34 who would have been about the same age as my great grandfather, Ernest Coffman in the 1910 census of Manhattan.. Mr. Gleason immigrated from Ireland in 1886.  He was living at 325 Spring Street in Ward 8 of Manhattan at the time of my grandmother's birth.  He was a supervisor of stevedores on the New York dock based on the 1910 and 1920 census records.

Ernest E. Coffman, wife Mae and mother Harriet residing on West 138th Street, New York

The 1910 census shows eighteen families residing at 108 West 138th Street, Manhattan where Ernest, Mae and Harriet Coffman are residing on 16 April 1910.  Grandma Mae wrote 110 West 138 Street, New York as the place of birth for Elaine.  It is possible that the census taker neglected to write the the address when he arrived at that address so some of those eighteen families were probably at 110. When the census was taken in April 1910, Mae was pregnant and Harriet, Ernest's mother, was presumably there to help with the housekeeping when the baby came.  The building number was cut off in the photograph below but it does not appear to be 108 or 110. My guess would be 141.  None of the residents on West 138th appear to be on the list of gift givers.

In the 1911-12 New York City Directory, Ernest E. Coffman had an office address of 17 E 125th. That building number also does not seem to be a match with this photograph.  But I must say that it is an interesting looking building wherever it is.  And that hat that Grandma Mae is wearing is quite distinctive.

Mae Moss Coffman about 1910 in New York City with daughter, Elaine in baby carriage.
There is a little dog at her feet which does not appear to be on a leash.

Elaine's first outing appears to have been September 13, 1910.  Then on December 4, 1910, "Elaine had her first ride in the subway and street cars to Brooklyn and enjoyed her outing very much." Perhaps the photograph was taken in Brooklyn. She was three months and five days old on December 4, 1910.  Would Grandma Mae have taken the baby carriage on the subway and street cars?

Then on Wednesday, December 7, 1910, "Elaine had her first ride in the snow down to 125th Street." Perhaps that ride in the snow was to visit daddy at his office at 17 West 125th Street.  Ernest Coffman was working as a manager for the Gas Governor Company.

Google Street view of the building at 17 West 125th Street, New York

Wikipedia offers the following historical perspective on West 125 Street:

"125th Street is a two-way street that runs east–west in the New York City borough of Manhattan, from First Avenue on the east to Marginal Street, ... along the Hudson River in the west. It is often considered to be the "Main Street" of Harlem, and is co-named Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
Notable buildings along 125th Street include the Apollo Theater, the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, the Hotel Theresa, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Mount Morris Bank Building, the Harlem Children's Zone, the Church of St. Joseph of the Holy Family, and the former West End Theatre, now home to the La Gree Baptist Church."

These pictures from Elaine's baby book probably show the house where the Coffmans resided in Edgewater, New Jersey.
Elaine is being held by her father, Ernest Coffman.
The little dog is in the previous picture too.

The New York City Directory of 1913 shows Ernest Coffman residing in Edgewater, New Jersey but the address is not given.  Elaine's sister, Vivian was born in Edgewater on January 24, 1916.  There used to be a ferry that ran across the Hudson River from Edgewater to the foot of West 125th Street.  Wikipedia has the following image of the ferry which has Edgewater inscribed on it.

Edgewater-125th Street ferryboat that crossed the Hudson River. SOURCE: Wikipedia.

The playmate, Ward Gleason, may have been the son of Thomas W. Gleason on the list of gifts.

First words "Da Da" were spoken on the first of March 1911.

This looks like a Fourth of July picture with Elaine Coffman on the pony.

This baby book is now over one hundred years old.  Future blog posts will cover the next two generations.

Finding Records of Female Ancestors

My grandmother, Elaine Coffman Mayne and my mother, Jill Mayne 1937 Reno, Nevada
When copying old photographs be sure to include the studio name in your digital copy.
Paffrath Studio was located in Reno, Nevada.  Gram Elaine was residing in Reno in 1937 when she filed for divorce from her first husband, True Mayne.  Jill was born in November 1935 and the divorce was granted in October 1937.

March is Women's History Month  which makes it an appropriate time to focus our genealogy research efforts on our female ancestors.  Finding records for women can often be a challenge.  The names of American women change throughout their lives.  American women are found in genealogical records under their maiden names and their married names.  Genealogical search engines need to be tweaked when we are searching for women.

This is an earlier photo of "Gram Elaine" with her first daughter, Joan Vivian Mayne.
Judging by Joan's age in this photo it was probably taken about 1932 in San Francisco.

When using the search engine at Ancestry.com, we find that women that have been married more than once are a particular challenge.  My maternal grandmother, Elaine Blanche Coffman Mayne Kelly DeGuire Thomas is a case in point.  "Gram Elaine" was married four times over the course of her 99 years on the planet.  For 54 years [1937 to 1991] she was known as Elaine Kelly. For eighteen years, she was known as Elaine Coffman, her maiden name [1910-1928].  For eleven years she was known as Elaine Thomas [1999-2010].  For nine years she was known as Elaine Mayne [1928-1937]. For three years she was known as Elaine DeGuire 1994-1997].

Trying to search all of these names at once overwhelms the search engine at Ancestry.com. As can be seen from the following search, many extraneous records are included in the results when searching for all her surnames at once:

Click on the "Edit Search" link to limit the search.

I recommend that Ancestry.com users edit the search to include only one surname at a time.  For example, let's try changing the surname to Elaine Kelly and delete the rest of the names.  Since she was known as Elaine Kelly for the majority of her life, this will yield better search results.  It is also helpful to choose only the databases which are most likely to include women under their married names such as the U.S. City Directories database.  The following example shows several records for Elaine Kelly in the Sacramento City Directory:

Search results for "Elaine Kelly" in the City Directory database

The U.S. Public Records Database is an excellent source for searching your late 20th century females.  Here is a record for Gram Elaine when she was known as Elaine Thomas in the Public Records Database as shown below:

20th century females can be found in the U.S. Public Records Index

Jumping back two generations to Gram Elaine's paternal grandmother, Harriett Anne Ketcham Coffman 1853-1938, we can see another example of choosing the right database to search.  After performing a search for Harriett we see that one of the suggested databases is California Voter Registrations.  Given that Harriett resided in California from 1880 to 1938, we can find her in the California Voter records under her married name as shown below:

Harriett Ketcham Coffman was found in the California Voter Registration database
in the 1920s and 1930s in Oakland, California. The list at the top of this image shows
some of the records that I have already attached to her profile. Adding voter registrations
and city directories will help to fill in the blanks in her timeline between census years.

I have many more tips on how to find female ancestors in my presentation entitled: How to Become an Ancestry.com Power User.  Please contact me if you need assistance using Ancestry.com or if you would like me to review and edit your family tree on Ancestry.com.

Donating or Selling Family Heirlooms to a Museum

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your family heirloom collection?  We have been having this discussion at our house.  What is the best long term archival solution for family heirlooms?  Have you considered donating or selling your family heirlooms to a museum?

Mae Moss Coffman was known as "Coffee" to her co-workers.

Mae Moss as a young woman.  Oral history was that she had a photographer boyfriend.

The first step is to identify a museum that might want your family heirlooms.  Make a list of museums that you have visited or that are on your list to visit.  I tend to visit museums that might have historical collections related to my family history.  For example, one of my favorite museums is the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA).  I have tons of family history centered in Oakland, California.  My grandmother and her sister grew up in Oakland and were surrounded by many family members who lived in Northern California for decades.  Perhaps the OMCA might be interested in my family heirloom collection.

Once you have identified your preferred museum for donation or sale, visit their website and read their donation and sale policy.  For example, here is the policy for donation from the OMCA website:

"Donating or Selling Objects to the Oakland Museum of California
            Thank you for your interest in donating or selling items to Oakland Museum of California’s permanent collection. Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) collects art, history, and natural sciences objects related to California.

In order to consider your donation of artwork(s), artifact(s) or specimen(s), OMCA requires interested parties to submit a written proposal to be considered by our curatorial and collections staff.

Please note, proposals for gifts that would qualify for the 2015 year-end tax deduction needed to be received by December 1, 2015. 

What to include in a proposal:

In order for Museum staff to consider the object, please submit the following information in your proposal:

Whether you are offering a donation or sale. If the item is for sale, provide price and any conditions or terms.

Connections to California are essential, so please be sure to state them.

Information about the object such as: a general description; the name of artist or manufacturer (if known); dimensions; date made; history of how it was made or used; and, any other details you can provide.

Good pictures. Visual documentation is also important to the process, in particular to help assess condition.

How you came to own the object. Please also include any formal documentation of ownership.

Once we receive your complete proposal, OMCA staff will carefully consider your offer, and make a decision based on criteria such as its relevance to the OMCA mission, how well it fits with plans for the OMCA Collection, whether it is in good condition, and whether we can adequately care for it in the future. Not all donation or sale offers can be accepted.

We respond to proposals on a first come, first served basis. However, depending on the unique considerations of each proposal, it can take anywhere from one month to six months for us to respond.

Please do not bring objects to the Museum. We will be in touch if we need to view the item(s) in person. Note that we cannot offer appraisals nor can we recommend appraisers. For these questions, please visit the American Society of Appraisers website or call ASA at 800-272-8258.

Mail proposals to:

Oakland Museum of California Attention:OMCA Lab, Acquisitions Committee1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA 94607

Or submit via email to: ehansen@museumca.org

Thank you for your interest in supporting the Oakland Museum of California."

This seems like a great model for a donation to any museum.  My proposal would center on preserving the collection of a working class family based in Oakland, California.  The matriarch, Mae Moss Coffman Forbes was raised in an orphanage in Sacramento and came to Oakland from San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake.  She was married in Oakland in 1907 to Ernest Coffman.  Ernest lived in Oakland near his parents, brother and sister and their families.

Ernest Coffman, Elaine and Vivian's father written by Vivian.

Ernest and Mae moved to New York City before 1910 so Ernest could work as a branch manager for the Gas Consumers Association.  Mae had her first daughter, Elaine in Manhattan in 1910 and Vivian was born in New Jersey in 1916.  The family was back in Oakland by 1920 residing with Ernest's sister, Viola Coffman Hughes.  Mae worked as a cashier for Owl Drug.  Ernest went into the automobile tire business with his brother, Otis Coffman.

David and Viola Hughes, Oakland, California

Coffman Bros. Tires Advertisement, Oakland Tribune, October 17, 1920

Ernest and Mae were divorced by 1925.  Ernest kept Vivian in the care of his sister, Viola Hughes and Mae kept my grandmother, Elaine.  Mae remarried to Ernest "Doc" Forbes, the pharmacist at the Owl Drug Store where she worked in 1936.  Doc was born in Australia in 1884 and immigrated to California in 1904.  I have dozens of objects related to all of these family members that I might like to donate.

To make a donation of family heirlooms, the next step is to make an inventory of your family heirlooms and write a proposal.  So excuse me, I need to get busy!

Ernest "Doc" Forbes, Pharmacist, Owl Drugs, Oakland, California

Doc Forbes at Owl Drug, Oakland, California

We used to have Doc's mortar & pestle at our house when I was a kid.  I wonder what happened to that one?

Doc Forbes at Owl Drug
Doc was a Mason in the Sequoia Lodge joining in 1908.  Governor and Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren was the Worshipful Master in 1928 and the Grand Master in 1936.  I have Doc's copy of the Fifty Year History of Sequoia Lodge, No. 349 F. & A. M. Oakland, California published in 1952.  I also have a pocket watch, pen and dozens of photographs of him and Grandma Mae.  Are they worthy of preservation in a museum?  I plan to photograph, inventory and write up the stories that go with these objects.

Genealogy Garage at the LA Public Library- Is Your Family in the Archives of the LAPL?

One of the biggest names in the genealogy world is the Southern California Genealogical Society. They are well known for their annual "Jamboree" held in "beautiful Downtown Burbank"  and  for their extensive genealogical library.   What I did not know is that they have a partnership with the Los Angeles Public Library to offer the "Genealogy Garage."

On the third Saturday of each month (except December), from 11 am-1 pm, SCGS and LAPL team up to offer the Genealogy Garage workshops at the Central Library of the LAPL. Whether you are a beginner or have been researching for years, here is an opportunity to "tune-up" your current research skills or learn something new about family history research.  Since I was planning to be in LA on January 16, I signed up for the workshop entitled Genealogy Garage: Is Your Family In the LAPL Family History Archives?

The usual Workshop leader Charlotte Bocage is the Education Chair for the Southern California Genealogical Society and is a veteran researcher in archives and libraries across the country.  January 16 was an especially busy day for the LA genealogical community as the Genealogy Roadshow was being filmed at Union Station.  Unfortunately, I did not get to meet Charlotte.

The January 16 Genealogy Garage workshop was led by LAPL Genealogy Librarian Julie Huffman. Beyond the “open shelves & stacks” of the History & Genealogy Dept. at the LAPL is a trove of FAMILY HISTORY material available to the public IF YOU MAKE A REQUEST. These family histories were compiled & donated to the LAPL by other researchers.  How do you request these family histories?

I managed to become one of the FIRST 12 to email two of my family’s surnames and a search was done to see if there were any family histories on those names.  I received a list of name matches from the LAPL Online Genealogy Index.  You might want to add this URL to your list of favorites especially if you are planning to be in the LA area any time soon:

          http://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/lapl-indexes/genealogy-local-history-index

Ms. Huffman found 11 matches in this index for my sample surname: Ketcham.  Four of the matches were Ketcham family histories that will show up in an LAPL catalog search.  LAPL also has a physical library card index which should also be consulted for family histories contributed before 1997. In addition, Ms. Huffman performed a search of PERSI which brought up 77 results.

The History and Genealogy Department of the Los Angeles Public Library is on the Family Tree Magazine list of top 10 public libraries.  The Genealogy Collection at Central Library numbers more than 40,000 volumes, including more than than 10,000 genealogies. The family name index to the collection is available through the databases link on the library home page or through the link in the preceding paragraph.  There are over 200,000 volumes in the history book collection with especially strong collections in biography, travel, wars involving the United States, the West, Native Americans, and Los Angeles area history.

I highly recommend a visit to History and Genealogy Department of the Los Angeles Public Library. Ms. Huffman was especially helpful and I thoroughly enjoyed her Genealogy Garage presentation.  I also recommend that all genealogists visit the links to the SCGS and LAPL webpages that are found throughout this article.  There are dozens of great ideas to use for your local genealogical society and your local public library.

Judy Garland: Our Cousin, Descendant of Loyalist Deserter & Spy!

Judy Garland is well known as a U.S. stage and screen super star.  Did you know she was descended of a Canadian Loyalist family?  She certainly was convincing as a Yankee Doodle Dandy when she performed with Mickey Rooney in Babes on Broadway.  We have taken an interest in her family history because she is my wife's cousin.

Click Here for the YouTube video.

The Loyalists were American families that pledged their loyalty to the British crown during the Revolutionary War.  They became refugees to Canada during and after the war.  The British government gave land grants to these Loyalist families along the St. Lawrence River in Ontario. Similar to our Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution, the Canadians have a lineage society called the United Empire Loyalists.

These quotes from Ancestry.com explain our Canadian heritage:

• The war between the American Colonies and Britain, which lead to the Declaration of Independence divided families in the United States. Many of those wishing to remain loyal to the British crown lost property and possessions in the United States and fled into the Maritime and Central provinces, where they became known as the "United Empire Loyalists" or UELs. Ontario, known as Upper Canada, owes its founding families to the Loyalists who entered in the late 1700s, along with the Pennsylvania Dutch - German families primarily from Pennsylvania.
• The families living in the Atlantic provinces of Canada have been intertwined with the families of the New England states since the earliest times. In fact, the mixing of Canadians and Americans has been carried on to a surprising degree -- one example being that more than 25% of the families in Michigan today are descendants of Canadian ancestors. In addition, the expulsion of the French "Acadians" in 1755 led to the famous "Cajun" population of Louisiana and other southern states.

      SOURCE: Extracted from the description of the Ancestry.com database entitled "Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s

Our common ancestors with Judy Garland are Hugh Fitzpatrick 1809-1878 and Margaret Ross 1807-1845.  Ms. Garland remained very close to her Milne and Fitzpatrick extended family until the death of her Grandmother (Eva Fitzpatrick Milne 1865-1949) who lived with her in California until 1949.

I wonder if Judy Garland knew that she had a Loyalist deserter and spy in her family tree.  Family history can be more interesting than fiction. Peter Fitzpatrick and his son, William were the loyalists in the family tree.  Here is an image showing what was written about Peter in the 1885 Centennial Book of the United Empire Loyalists:

To view the original document at Archive.org, click here

When you read Peter's claim you see that he was held in the Albany jail convicted as a spy at the end of the war:

Here is a transcript of his claim.  Abbreviated words have been spelled out. Punctuation has been added. Other words have been added in brackets for clarity.

Page 134
Jan'y 12
Evidence on the Claim of Peter Fitzpatrick, Tryon County [New York]

Claimant sworn

Says he was in the 2nd Battalion of Sir John [Johnson]'s Regiment.  He had been confined in Albany Gaol [Jail], tried and condemned to die by the Rebels for a Spy.  Got released after the peace.  Got here in the Fall.  Heard the Claims were gone to England when he came.

Is a Native of Ireland.  Came to America in 1766.  Lived on the Mohawk when the Rebellion broke out.  Served at the first of the War.  Then employed in Secret Service.  Afterwards served till End of War.

Produces Discharge from 2nd Battalion.  Had 50 acres given to his Wife by Col. Guy Johnson.  She had been a servant of his.  Had 14 acres clear & Orchard.  Built small house. [Had] 2 cows- 1 Mare-4 Hogs, furniture, utensils.

Sir John Johnson confirms his account.

My description of documents like this one is: Genealogical Gold Mine!  I loved 007 as a kid so it was with great joy that I found that we have a member of "Her Majesty's Secret Service" in our family tree even if he was on the wrong side!  So how many of you Yankee Doodle Dandies can claim that one?

I did notice that others on Ancestry.com have taken a big interest in Judy Garland.  I looked at her profile in our family tree and there were 105 Ancestry hints. But only 9 family tree hints showed so maybe she was not as popular as I thought. There are 25 other family trees at Ancestry that claim Peter Fitzpatrick as an ancestor so he wins the popularity contest at least for now.

It probably has something to do with the fact that we show Judy Garland under her original name, Frances Ethel Gumm.  She shows up in the 1930 census in Los Angeles at age 7 as Frances E. Gumm but she is Judy Garland at age 17 in the 1940 census.  There is a link in most Ancestry.com records to see how many people have attached that record to their trees.  When you click on this link in the 1940 census for Judy Garland, you can see that 727 people have Judy Garland in their tree.   Sorry Peter, you lose!

Please accept my best wishes for your genealogical travels: "follow the yellow brick road" to amazing ancestral discoveries.

Here is the citation for the claim of Peter Fitzpatrick:

Citation Information

Detail

The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; American Loyalist Claims, Series I; Class: AO 13; Piece: 029

Source Information

Title

UK, American Loyalist Claims, 1776-1835

Author

Ancestry.com

Publisher

Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.

Publisher Date

2013

Publisher Location

Provo, UT, USA

Repository Information

Name

Ancestry.com

Web Address

http://www.Ancestry.com

Preserving Holiday Memories- "The Ghosts of Christmas Past"

Every genealogist should start by writing down their own memories, so I am modeling the way.

Christmas 1955                                                 

I decided to search my brain for memories of "Christmas Past."  I seem to have found some "Friendly Ghosts" but I am  not always sure of the accuracy of those ghosts.  I hope that after I write this down that it will generate many corrections and additions from my family.

I really don't have any memories of Christmas in the 1950s but I found a few pictures:

Nick Cimino Christmas 1954

Christmas 1955- Left to right: Elaine Kelly, Christine Watson, Nick Cimino, Jill Cimino, and Jack Kelly.  George Kelly is the horse and my dad, Dick Cimino is the rider.  This was at the Kelly residence on Parkside Court in Sacramento. 

This is another picture of me from the 1950s.  I am guessing that this was Christmas 1956.  The plug in the baseboard makes me think it is at the home of my grandparents, True and Helen Mayne in San Francisco.  It looks like I am wearing mukluk slippers.  There appears to be a Raggedy Ann Doll laying near me in a heap.

The Cimino Christmas Eve in the 1960s was usually celebrated at Uncle Tony and Aunt Betty's house on Demaret Drive in Sacramento.  Uncle Tony Cimino was the oldest and he and Betty had six children: John, Mike, Paul, Tim, Mary and Toni.  There were four children in our family: Nick, Vicky, Vince and Faran.  Aunt Betty and her husband, Elson Hancock had two children: Mary Lynn and Larry.  Aunt Joy Gail had two daughters: Rhonda and Aleen Burns.  In the early years,  we would get presents for every aunt, uncle and cousin, which made Christmas a very expensive endeavor.

As the years progressed,  we switched to a gift exchange where we would draw names out of a hat for the following year.  I can't remember if we had a meal together on Christmas Eve but I am pretty sure there were cookies.  Grandpa Dick and Grandma Macy had a tradition of giving all the grandchildren a box of chocolate covered cherries on Christmas Eve and the adults received a ham. Several of the Cimino family dispersed from Sacramento in the late 1970s so that was the end of the Cimino Family Christmas Eve celebrations.  You knew that you had come of age when you received the ham but I still long for the chocolate covered cherries.

Christmas morning was almost always spent at our home at 2352 Craig Avenue in Sacramento.  My most vivid memories of Christmas presents include the four inch think Readers Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary and the subscription to Quinto Lingo.  I think it was my mother who liked to encourage my scholarly aspirations but I seem to recall my Aunt Donna Johnson also sent educational presents.

The Readers Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary.  I received one of these as a Christmas present in the 1960s.

It was either my mother or my Aunt Donna Johnson that was encouraging my interest in foreign languages when she got me a subscription to Quinto Lingo for Christmas.

Grandpa Dick and Grandma Macy usually hosted a dinner on Christmas Day at their house at 4434 61st Street in Sacramento.  Their Christmas tree was made of aluminum and it was displayed with a color wheel lamp that would rotate to the different hues.  The house was filled with aunts and uncles and cousins at holidays.  My cousins and I would play cards in the winter and play hide and seek or tag in the yard in warmer weather.

Christmas Day 1977- Grandma Macy is on the left and Grandpa Dick on the right. Vince Cimino is the guy on the couch with the long hair and Saturday Night Fever shirt collar.  The baby is my nephew, Gino Valenzuela.  Others in the picture include my brother, Faran and my sisters Vicky and Shannon.  I am the guy with the yellow shirt in the center.  The shiny aluminum Christmas tree has been replaced with a green artificial tree.

The disturbing part of all of these memories is that I cannot seem to find any photographs of the Cimino Christmas Eve celebrations.  I know there must be dozens out there in the collections of the extended family.  Perhaps this will prompt my family to send me a few.

Merry Christmas!

Rich and Not So Famous Kin- The Fairbanks Family of Petaluma, California

The Fairbanks House of Petaluma, California was on the market in 2013 for $2,345,000.  This house was on the market in March 1997 for $995,000.  My wife and I toured the house when it was for sale in 1997 and fantasized about buying the house for a B&B.  A pair of San Francisco architects designed this 8,500 square foot house for Hiram T. Fairbanks in 1890.  Hiram Talbert Fairbanks 1827-1915 is my 3rd great grand uncle.  Our common ancestors are Sheldon Fairbanks and Mercy Ann Sage.

One of my favorite surnames in my own family history is Fairbanks.  This is the surname that first got me interested in researching my family history.  My grandmother, Elaine Coffman Kelly, had told me stories about being related to the Fairbanks House of Dedham, Massachussetts.  I visited the Fairbanks House in 1984 five years before I began my genealogical quest.

The Fairbanks House of Dedham, Massachussetts has been dated by dendrochronology to the late 1630s or early 1640s.  This is the oldest timber framed house in America.  SOURCE: http://www.fairbankshouse.org/

My wife and I drove a rental car from Boston to Dedham and pulled up in front of the house which is a house museum maintained by the Fairbanks Family in America, Inc. since 1904.  From the curb we could see that there was a sign in front of the house that said "CLOSED FOR SPECIAL EVENT".  Having traveled from coast to coast we could not believe our misfortune to arrive at the house on a day that it was closed to visitors.  I have never had any hesitation about knocking on doors.  I trotted up to the entry to find out what was happening.  The gentleman who answered the door told me that the museum was closed for a FAMILY REUNION!  Suddenly my face brightened and I exclaimed that "I was a member of the family" and we had come all the way from the west coast to see the museum.  The gracious gentleman ushered us inside and gave us the full tour!

As the family reunion festivities began to draw to a close, one of my new-found cousins asked me how we were related to the Fairbanks family.  I had no idea, but this became one of the first research projects for me when I commenced this genealogical quest, five years later.

I knew that the Fairbanks house was built by and for the original Fairbanks immigrants, Jonathan Fairbanke and his wife, Grace Smith but I did not how my grandmother was connected.  I learned that Gram Elaine's grandmother was Harriett Anne Ketcham [1853-1938] and that she married Archibald Coffman.  Her death certificate gave the names of her parents, James Ketcham and Lucinda Fairbanks.  So there was my connection.  Her full name was Mary Lucinda Fairbanks.  She was the daughter of Sheldon Fairbanks and Mercy Ann Sage.  She had a brother, named Hiram Talbert Fairbanks.  She became my connection to two Fairbanks family homes on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts.

The Fairbanks house in Dedham was continuously occupied by Fairbanks family members from the 1640s to 1904. Rebecca Fairbanks [1827-1908] was the last family member to live in the house, moving out in 1904. On Rebecca’s departure, the Fairbanks Family in America, Inc. (a genealogical membership organization made up of descendants of the original Jonathan and Grace) opened the house as a museum. The Fairbanks Family association has now owned and maintained the Fairbanks House for over 100 years. For more information on this house visit the website:  http://www.fairbankshouse.org/

Wouldn't it be great if the Fairbanks Family in America, Inc. could preserve two houses!  As with most non-profit groups, they are probably struggling to maintain the house that they have.  If you know anyone with a couple extra million jingling in the pocket, let me know.  Maybe the next time it is on the market we can pool our resources!  If you are interested in the Petaluma house you can take a full tour of the Fairbanks house at the website that was built by the realtor: Realtor site

This portrait of Hiram T. Fairbanks with his signature was published on page 488 of the Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America 1633-1897. by Lorenzo Sayles Fairbanks, A.M.  The book was originally printed for the author and was distributed by subscription.  Hiram T. Fairbanks was acknowledged by the author as a sponsor of the genealogy.  Digital copies of the book are available at Archive.org and Ancestry.com which is where this image was obtained. My 2nd great grandmother, Harriet Anne Ketcham [1853-1938] was listed on page 262 of the Fairbanks Genealogy.

If you are really intrigued about how Hiram became the rich uncle, you can read all of the notes that I have compiled on him over the years:

www.cagenweb.com
Sonoma County Biography
Hiram T. Fairbanks
As one of the oldest settlers and successful business men of Petaluma Hiram T. Fairbanks is deserving of mention in a history of Sonoma county. A native of Indiana, he was born in Manchester, Dearborn county, December 29, 1827, on the paternal farm, and he was educated in the country schools of that time and place. When he was about nineteen years of age, in 1846, he ventured out in the world on his own responsibility, at that time going to Augusta, Des Moines county, Iowa, and making his home with the Hon. Levi Moffet. The following year he enlisted in the United States army for service in the Mexican war. The year 1849 found him in Indiana once more, but his stay there was brief, for the same year found him starting on the overland trip for the Pacific coast. Mining had been the attracting magnet in bringing him hither, and with his brothers he mined at what was then known as Mormon Island, on the south fork of the American river, about twenty-five miles from Sacramento. The venture proved successful, and with the proceeds of his labor he returned to Indiana by way of Panama in 1851 and the same year went to Iowa, where he followed merchandising.
 It was while he was in that state that Mr. Fairbanks was married to Miss Lucinda, the daughter of Hon. Levi Moffet, the ceremony being performed July 14, 1852. In addition to his mercantile interests he was also engaged in milling, continuing both enterprises until 1859, when he made a second trip to California, bringing with him across the plains his wife and four children. The fall of that year marked their arrival in Petaluma, where Mr. Fairbanks followed farming in connection with the lumber trade until the fall of 1861, discontinuing farming at that time, as he decided he was not fitted by nature for the work. In the following year, 1862, he established himself in the mercantile business in Petaluma, a business which grew steadily with the passing of years, and in connection with which he also maintained a commission house in San Francisco. He continued in the merchandise business in Petaluma until 1869, when with his family he went east on a visit. His return to California in the fall of that year found him in Petaluma once more. During the year 1870 he gave up his commission business in San Francisco and in the winter of 1870-71 he again embarked in the mercantile trade, this time in company with the Hon. A. P. Whitney. Not only is Mr. Fairbanks regarded as one of Petaluma’s prominent and successful business men of former years, but he was equally well known and influential in financial circles. He was one of the founders of the Petaluma Savings Bank, which was organized in 1870, and was its manager and president until he retired from business. He was also president of the city board of trustees for several terms. In resigning from the presidency of the Golden Eagle Flour mills Mr. Fairbanks severed his connection with active business life, covering a long period of activity, and since then has been enjoying with his family the ease and comfort which his labors have made possible. Personally he is a man of fine character, and in the evening of life he can look over the past with the conviction that all that he has accomplished has been honestly accumulated, and added to this is the knowledge that he has the love and esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
 History of Sonoma County, California
 History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
 Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
 Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
 August 2008
 Pages 1078-1079

!BIRTH: Batch #: 8570908, Sheet #: 29, Source Call #: 1396078

Des Moines County, Iowa, 1856 Census Augusta Village Part 01
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page w Page p Dwell  Fam#  Name  Age Sex Col Mar Wid Years Where Born      Occupation       NVV NLV ALI MIL DND BLI INS IDI LandOwn Comments

12  26  63  1 LEVI MOFFET                      56 M       X          21 NY              FERY MAN         X
                     ANTNETT MOFFET                      F       X          17 M*
                     JOSEPH MOFFET                    32 M       X          21 PA              SAWYER
                     CAROLINE MOFFET                  22 F       X          17 MO
                     ROFFINNA MOFFET                  17 F                  17 MO
                     UPHIMA MOFFET                    12 F                  12 IA
                     ZORAH A. MOFFET                   3 F                   2 IA
                     ULILAH MOFFET                     1 F                   1 IA
12  26  64  1 H. T. FAIRBANKS         28 M       X      10 IN    MERCHANT         X           X             X
                           LUCIND FAIRBANKS                 22 F       X          21 PA
                           ISABELL FAIRBANKS                 3 F                   3 IA
                           DOLPHIS FAIRBANKS                 1 M                   1 IA
KEY
Page w = Written Page Number
Page p = Printed Page Number
Dwell  = Dwelling Number
Fam#   = Family Number
Name   = Full Name as listed
Age    = Age of Individual
Sex    = Gender
Color  = Race
Mar    = Married
Wid    = Widowed
Years  = Number of Years Lived in Iowa
Where Born = State or Country Born In
Occupation = Work or profession
NVV    = Native Voter
NLV    = Naturalized Voter
ALI    = Alien
MIL    = Militia
DND    = Deaf and Dumb
BLI    = Blind
INS    = Insane
IDI    = Idiotic
LandOwn    = Owns Land
Comments   = Comments by Transcriber

!FAMILY: For all children of Hiram Tolbert Fairbanks and Lucinda Moffett:L.S. Fairbanks Genealogy pp.488-489; Cypress Hill Cemetery grave stones and caretaker records examined by Jane Risser Aug.31, 1990.

!For more information contact the following: Petaluma Historical Library and Museum, Fourth and B Streets, noon to 4 Thursday through Monday or Petaluma History Room at the Petaluma Library, 100 Fairgrounds Drive.

!CENSUS: 1860 California, Sonoma Co., Petaluma Twp., 19 June 1860, Petaluma P.O., pg 558; Fam/Dwelling 141/141 Hiram Fairbank 31  Farmer $2500 RE $300 PE B-IN, Lucinda 27 IN, All children born Iowa: Isabella 7 , Adolphus 5, Augustus 3, Franklin 1; also enumerated with family are George Fairbank 37 Farmer IN & Jefferson Fairbank 13 IN.  George is probably Hiram's older brother.

!CENSUS: 1870 California, Sonoma Co., Petaluma Twp., pg. 335
Name        Age in 1870  Est. Birth Yr/Place  Gender
Hiram G Fairbanks   42      1827 Indiana      Male
Lucinda Fairbanks   35      1834 Ohio         Female
Bell Fairbanks         17      1852 Iowa         Female
Adolphus Fairbanks 15      1854 Iowa         Male
Augustus Fairbanks 13      1856 Iowa         Male  
Frank Fairbanks       11     1858 Iowa         Male
Nettie Fairbanks       9      1860 California   Female
Hattie Fairbanks       7      1862 California   Female  
Lizzie Fairbanks        5      1864 California   Female
William Fairbanks      2      1867 California   Male
Sheldon Fairbanks     3/12 1869 California   Male

Fairbanks, H. T. of Sonoma County, Calif. Republican. Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1880.

!CENSUS: 1880 California, Sonoma Co., Petaluma Twp. & City; VOL 16 ED 123 SH 30 LN 39
Household:
 Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace(BP) Occupation Father's BP Mother's BP
 Hiram T. FAIRBANKS   Self   M   Male   W   51   IN   Banker   VT   VT
 Lucinda FAIRBANKS   Wife   M   Female   W   47   PA   Keeping House   NY   PA
 Dolphus B. FAIRBANKS   Son   S   Male   W   25   IA   Book Keeping   IN   PA
 Frank J. FAIRBANKS   Son   S   Male   W   21   IA   Miner   IN   PA
 Harriet L. FAIRBANKS   Dau   S   Female   W   16   CA   At School   IN   PA
 Ada L. FAIRBANKS   Dau   S   Female   W   14   CA   At School   IN   PA
 William H. FAIRBANKS   Son   S   Male   W   12   CA      IN   PA
 Zorah FAIRBANKS   Dau   S   Female   W   7   CA      IN   PA
 Dacia FAIRBANKS   Dau   S   Female   W   5   CA      IN   PA
 Matilda PETERSEN   Other   S   Female   W   22   PRU   Domestic   PRU   PRU
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
  Census Place Petaluma, Sonoma, California
  Family History Library Film   1254084
  NA Film Number   T9-0084
  Page Number   73B

!NEWSPAPER: 1882  Google News Archive Pay-Per-View - Los Angeles Times - ProQuest Archiver
COAST NOTES.
Los Angeles Times (1881-1886) - Los Angeles, Calif.
Date: Jul 19, 1882
Start Page: 0_1
Pages: 1
Text Word Count: 930
 Abstract (Document Summary)
The Petaluma Fair will open August 28th.
H. T. Fairbanks and Henry Wilson of Petaluma are bringing from France to the Pacific coast ten Norman horses. There are now 100,000 head of cattle and ...

!CENSUS: 1900 California, Sonoma Co., Petaluma Twp., Petaluma City, ED 167 SH 7B LN 51, 658 D Street, Hiram T. Fairbanks B-Dec 1827 IN age 72, married 48 years, parents born NY, Bank President, owned free house.  Lucinda, wife, B-Mar 1833 PA, age 67 mother of 11 children 10 living, parents B-NY & PA.  Single Children: Dolphes B. son, Nov 1854 45 IA Bank Cashier;  Ada E. Daughter Oct 1865 34 CA; William H. son Oct 1867 32 CA miner; Zorah daughter Aug 1872 27 CA; Dacia D. daughter Jan 1875 25 CA.  Servant: Yee Kam male Sep 1868 31 China immigrated 1876 House servant.

!MARRIAGE: 50th Anniversary 1902
FIFTY YEARS OF WEDDED LIFE- Mr. and Mrs. H.T. Fairbanks Receive Friends-- Elaborate Reception in Honor of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Their Wedding on Wednesday Afternoon-- A Brilliant Social Function
     For fifty long years Mr. and Mrs. H.T. Fairbanks of this city have walked together hand in hand, up hill and down dale, along life's rugged highway.  For fifty long years they have fought each other's battles and shared each others joys and sorrows.  'Tis a long journey for man and woman to make together, arriving at the fiftieth mile stone 'mid happy surroundings and with good cause to rejoice in the belief that many another mile stone lies gleaming in the bright future.
     This important event in the marital career of Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks was most fittingly celebrated at their home on D street Monday afternoon, July 14, 1902.  Hundreds of invitations had been sent to the hundreds of friends of the couple in response to the bidding they came far and near to pay their respects to their friends and each to add a word of congratulation.  All the afternoon the guests who had been bidden to the golden anniversary came and went, as brilliant a throng as ever attended any social event in Petaluma.
     For the auspicious occasion, the Fairbanks' home was profusely but tastefully decorated in the rarest of the season's bloom's and greenery.  Sprays of asparagus ferns, and smilax, with pretty marigold and other blooms peeping out from their green backgrounds, ornamented every nook and corner of the spacious hall and all the large reception rooms.  The scene was one of fairyland enchantment, heightened by the throng of prettily costumed ladies, who with their gentlemen escorts, filled the large reception rooms to overflowing.
     As the guests entered the residence they were received by Miss Elizabeth Fairbanks, and in turn presented to host and hostess proper by Mrs. Wellington Bell.  In the parlors the guests were received  and entertained by the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks, Mrs. H. B. Higbee, Mrs. A. B. Hill, Mrs. Gus Fairbanks, Mrs. Eva Fairbanks, Miss Elizabeth Fairbanks, Miss Dacia Fairbanks.  Col. Fairbanks also assisted with the entertainment of the guests.
     Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks received their guests with hearty hand-clasps and returned the compliments of the visitors with right good will.  The were both in happy mood and none present were more merry nor sprightly than they.
     A striking feature of the reception was the Japanese tea garden.  This was arranged on the lawn closely adjoining the residence on the east.  A canvas covered enclosure was bedecked in Japanese fashion, large Japanese fans, parasols, lanterns and other peculiar  Japanese knick-knacks being used with pretty effect.  In the tea garden were ten tables and around these the guests gathered in merry groups and partook of the bounteous hospitality of host and hostess.  Presiding over the tea garden were the following ladies: Mrs. Capt. Fox, Mrs. C.R. Winfield, Mrs. Will Beggs of San Francisco, Mrs. Rebe Nourse of Sacramento, Miss Clara McNear, Miss Gertrude Shelton, Miss Margaret Grant, Miss Ruby Fairbanks and Mrs. Capt. Maclay.  It was a pretty nook and many were the words of praise spoken by the guests as they entered and lingered therein.
     On a small porch on the east side of the residence a cosy corner was arranged for the gentlemen.  Here they gathered, old and young, to smoke fragrant Havanas and exchange comments and recollections brought to mind by the occasion.
     Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks were the recipients of many handsome presents.  One of these the one perhaps as much prized as any, was a handsome cut-glass punch bowl with accompanying glasses and a beautiful ladle of gold.  It was a present from the directors of the Petaluma Savings Bank of which Mr. Fairbanks is and for more than thirty years has been, the president.  The handsome gift from his business associates was especially pleasing to Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks.
     Another gift that excited the admiration of all was a very large and beautiful floral piece in the shape of an immense horse shoe sent by A.O. Hale of Hale Bros. & Co.  The exquisite floral offering was tied with very wide streamers of ribbon and upon one of these was printed in golden letters: "The Greatest Boon Must be the Fiftieth Honeymoon."
     Hiram Tolbert Fairbanks and Miss Lucinda Moffett, the latter the daughter of the Honorable and Mrs. Levi Moffett, were married at the home of the bride's parents at Augusta, Iowa, in 1852.  In 1859- Mr. Fairbanks brought his wife and family then consisting of four children across the plains to California.  They arrived in this city in the fall of '59 and have resided in Petaluma almost continuously since that time.  Mr. Fairbanks engaged in the lumber business and farming for two years.  He next engaged in the mercantile business here but sold out in 1869 and went east on a visit.  Returning to this city he entered into a co-partnership with the late A.P. Whitney in 1870-1.
     It was in 1870, also, that Mr. Fairbanks established the Petaluma Savings bank of which he became President and which  position he has held uninterruptedly.
     Mr. Fairbanks has been a long time in Petaluma and during his residence here his connection with the business world has been steadfastly honest and upright.  He has served three terms as a member of the city council and has always been prominent in public affairs.
     The Fairbanks home, so graciously presided over by Mrs. Fairbanks, has a state-wide reputation for its hospitality.  The doors of the Fairbanks home have ever been open to the merry young folk of the town and community and many have been the social functions that this genial couple have provided.  The Argus joins the hundreds of friends of the couple in the wish that Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks may live to celebrate their diamond wedding a few years hence and that the path they shall tread in the remainder of their journey in life shall be strewn with the roses of happiness and that they may ever enjoy the perfect contentment they so richly deserve.
     The music for the reception was furnished by Newburgh and Smith's orchestra stationed in a secluded nook in one of the parlors.  The music was admirably rendered and tuned for the occasion.
     Among the guests from abroad not before mentioned were Judge and Mrs. Albert G. Burnett, Judge and Mrs. S. K. Dougherty, M. Doyle and others from Santa Rosa; A. Shroyer of Fruitvale and Wm. Topke of San Francisco.

!CENSUS: 1910 California, Sonoma Co., Petaluma Twp., Petaluma City, ED 150 SH 3A LN 13 ENUM 4 MAY 1910  Address is now listed as 758 D Street.  Hiram is now a widower, parents are listed as NH and NY.  Also enumerated in the household are daughter Julia Higbee and Elizabeth Hill and their families which are described fully in their notes.  In addition daughter Dacia is still living at home.  Occupations for the father and the two sons in-law are listed as "own income".

!RESIDENCE: 1915 758 D St., Petaluma, CA; Historic Resource Inventory Sheet at the Petaluma Museum; References: Argus Courier, Development Edition, 1915. This is certainly one of Petaluma's most distinctive residences.  It is very large mansion-like with carriage house and extensive gardens.  In the 1915 edition of the Argus Courier Development Edition, this house is pictured belonging to H.T. Fairbanks.  Mr. Fairbanks was a prominent citizen and investor in Petaluma in the 1880's and on up (sic) the early part of this century and was President of the City Board of Trustees for three terms.  He was one of the few early residents of Petaluma that had success in the mine fields.  This house reflects the success of H.T. Fairbanks in its generous proportions and extensive grounds.
Also listed in Petaluma's Architectural Heritage by Dan Peterson, 1978, p. 69 includes photos and architectural description.

!BIRTH-MAR: "Genealogy of the Fairbanks Family in America, 1633-1897", by Lorenzo S. Fairbanks, A.M.; Boston; American Printing and Engraving Co.; 1897; CS 71 F164 1897; p. 488-9.
     Born Dec. 29, 1827, in Manchester, Indiana.  When 19 years old he emigrated to Iowa, settling in Augusta, Des Moines county, where he made his home with the Hon. Levi Moffett. In 1849 he returned to Indiana and the following year he crossed the plains to California where he engaged in mining with his brother, Augustus D. Fairbank[sic], at Mormon Island, on the south fork of the American river.  Success attended him in his mining operations, and he returned to Indiana in 1851, going from there to Iowa, where he followed merchandising.
In addition to his mercantile pursuits, he engaged in milling, which he followed with success until 1859, when he again crossed the plains to the Golden State taking with him his wife and four children, and arriving at Petaluma in the fall.  He engaged in farming, in connection with the lumber trade, until 1861, when he abandoned agriculture, and established himself as one of Petaluma's merchants in 1862, and also opened a commission house in San Francisco.  Seven years later he disposed of his business in Petaluma.  In 1870 he retired from the commission business in San Francisco, and embarked in the mercantile trade, with the Hon. A.P. Whitney, in Petaluma.  He was one of the founders of the Petaluma Savings bank, which was organized in 1870, and has been its manager and president ever since.  Besides his interest in the bank, of which his eldest son, Col. D.B. Fairbanks, is cashier, he and his sons own the extensive plant known as the Golden Eagle flour mill, in Petaluma, conducted by J.F. and W.H. Fairbanks, and a fine large ranch in Humboldt county, managed by Augustus Fairbanks.  He owns an elegant house on D street, which is in striking contrast with the old Fairbanks home in which he first lived.  The name of Fairbanks is indissolubly connected with the growth and prosperity of Petaluma.  Hiram T. and his sons stand in the front rank of its leading citizens, and are widely known for their financial ability, unblemished records and rigid integrity.
     He married July 14, 1852, Lucinda, daughter of Hon. Levi and Elizabeth (Keek) Moffett, of Augusta, Iowa, who was born in Orangeville, Iowa, March 2, 1833.

!DEATH-BURIAL:Cypress Hill Cemetery records, 430 Magnolia St., Petaluma CA. Jane Risser visited Cypress Hill Cemetery, Petaluma 31 AUG 1990.  She photographed Fairbanks family plot and spoke to secretary at cemetery.   Wife Lucinda Moffett and 7 of 11 children buried here.

!OBITUARY: The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, CA Wednesday, June 30, 1915, Front Page.  DEATH HAS COME TO H. FAIRBANKS-- Pioneer Merchant and Banker Died Last Night at His Beautiful Home in Petaluma
   Another of the widely known citizens of Sonoma county, whose name for years was prominently identified with its financial and business circles, has crossed the great Divide.  At 11 o'clock last night at his beautiful home in Petaluma Hiram T. Fairbanks died.
   About 11 o'clock yesterday morning  Mr. Fairbanks suffered an attack of apoplexy from the effects of which he did not rally, death ensuing at the hour named.  The deceased had many old-time friends among the pioneer citizens of Santa Rosa and Sonoma and Marin counties.
   Mr. Fairbanks was born in Indiana, December 29, 1827.  When nineteen years of age he went to Des Moines county, Iowa, and year later joined the United States troops and fought in the Mexican war.  With the vast stores of wealth in Califonia mines as a magnet he was drawn to the Pacific coast in 1849. Accompanied by his brother, he struck a rich vein of ore on the south fork of the American river, twenty-five miles from Sacramento.  With wealth acquired in mining pursuits he returned to Indiana in 1851 and shortly afterward moved to Iowa, where he established himself in business.
   Accompanied by his wife and four children, he again crossed the plains to California in 1859, and first took up ranching near Petaluma in 1860.  Two years later he abandoned ranch life and established a mercantile trade in Petaluma with a commercial house in San Francisco.  He also abandoned this work for several years and did not engage in trade again until 1871.  The year previous he helped found the Savings Bank of Petaluma, of which institution he was president for several years.  Then he served several terms on the board of trustees as president, and was president of the Golden Eagle Milling Company. The closing years of his life were spent in retirement from active business interests.

!OBITUARY: Wednesday, June 30, 1915 Petaluma Argus.  Copy in possession of Nick Cimino.
This obituary goes into greater detail than the above.  Here is an excerpt of some of the relevant passages:
"When he was about 19 years of age, in 1846, he ventured out in the world on his own responsibility, at that time going to Augusta, Des Moines county, Iowa, and making his home with the Hon. Levi Moffatt. (sic)
     The following year he enlisted in the United States Army for service in the Mexican War.  The year 1849 found him starting on an overland trip for the Pacific coast, from Indiana, where he found himself at the close of his enlistment, his stay being brief for the mining excitement appealed to him strongly, and he could not resist to make a try in the then unknown west.  He arrived safely and with his brothers, he mined at what was then known as Mormon Island, on the south fork of the American river, about 25 miles from Sacramento.
     The venture proved eminently successful and with the proceeds of his labor, he returned to Indiana in 1851, and the same year went to Iowa, where he followed merchandising....
     (The Fairbanks) 50th anniversary was celebrated on an elaborate scale at the beautiful home here July 14, 1902 and the event is still remembered by the many friends of the beloved pioneer and family...
    [this is followed by a detailed account of his many and varied business interests including farming, milling, lumber, mercantile, a commission house in SF, the Petaluma Savings Bank, Golden Eagle Milling Co. taken over from the Percivals, four terms on the Petaluma City Council, three of these terms as president of the board, which was equivalent to mayor.  Active with Masons including Commandery of Knights templar; one of heavy stockholders of the Petaluma Power & Water Co. and vice president up to the the time of his death.]...
   He was a true friend and one of the oldest subscribers of the Argus, and the paper always followed him on his annual pilgrimages east....  [These articles would be very interesting to pursue because they would mention his visits to family and friends. Note by Nick Cimino]

!RESIDENCE: 758 D Street Offered at $995,000 by Terrie Lonacker at Frank Howard Allen Realtors, 905 E. Washington St. Petaluma, 707-762-7766 in March of 1997; the advertisement reads in part as follows:
     Quality and graciousness describe one of Petaluma's celebrated classic Victorian estates located on more than an acre of prestigious D Street.  This Queen Anne was built in the 1890s by Hiram T. Fairbanks...
     Designated a Heritage Home Society award winning restoration, this lovingly maintained three story estate of grand proportions boasts a wide variety of architectural textures and window styles.  It features a five sided corner tower, a wrap around veranda, an in-ground pool, two patios, and a pergola.  The lush gardens are outlined by a stone wall that includes an inscribed carriage step on D Street to assist present day lady guests arriving in modern horseless carriages.
     The grand entry hall of this stately residence invites you to an interior of high ceilings and spacious rooms that are beautifully detailed with marble, oak, hardwoods and magnificent mill-work.  Stained glass windows and three working fireplaces enhance over 8500 square feet of living area consisting of 8 bedrooms, 5 1/2 baths, a remodeled gourmet kitchen and a basement with a 3 room office suite, workshop and wine cellar.
     This home is both of historic and architectural distinction.  It was designed by the famous San Franciscan architectural firm of Cullett & Cuthbertson...
     One of the finest homes in the region, this estate has been featured in numerous television commercials, has hosted Petaluma's annual "Music in the Mansion" series since 1989, and has been a frequently used site for special occasions including community fundraising, weddings, and elegant entertaining.