Arthur Ray Fairbanks

As printed in 1910

ARTHUR RAY FAIRBANKS.

Arthur Ray Fairbanks, a progressive and enterprising farmer of Cass township, owning and operating a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, is one of Jones county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Castle Grove township on the nth of September, 1885. He is a son-of Arthur Lincoln and Maggie S. (Black) Fairbanks, who were also born in Jones county and now make their home in Castle Grove township. They were the parents of four children, of whom Arthur Ray was the second in order of birth. The others are: Allen T., of Adams county. North Dakota: Gladys May. at home: and Blanch Pearl, also under the parental roof. The paternal grandfather of our subject is Allen Leonard Fairbanks, extended mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume.

Under the parental roof Arthur Ray Fairbanks spent the period of his boyhood and youth, acquiring his education in the district schools near his home, and remained with his parents until the spring of 1907. In that year he went to Adams county, North Dakota, where he homesteaded a claim of one hundred and sixty acres. He returned home on the 15th of January, 1908, and on the I St of September of the following year was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Ketcham, a native of Cass township, born on the 22d of November, 1886.

She is a daughter of William L. and Ruby M. (Stone) Ketcham, the former born in Deleware county, Ohio, on the i8th of February, 1851, and the latter in Jones county on the lotli of November, 1854. The father came to this county with his parents in 1867, and was here engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of thoroughbred cattle, horses and hogs. He became the owner of a well improved farm of three hundred acres, located on sections 8 and 17. He was married in this county on the ist of January, 1877, and continued to make his home within its boundaries until the time of his death. He passed away on the 23d of July, 1906, while his wife still survives and makes Battle Creek, Michigan, her place of residence. In their family were five children, the eldest of whom. Lulu, passed away in early childhood. The others are: Ruby Stone, Mrs. Arthur R. Fairbanks; Clara A. and Wilhelmina H.

After his marriage Mr. Fairbanks purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land from his father-in-law, located on section 8, Cass township, and on that farm he and his wife began their domestic life. He has since devoted himself to its further development and improvement and under his wise management the place is proving an excellent investment, bringing him rich golden harvests in return for the care and labor bestowed upon it.

In politics Mr. Fairbanks is a stalwart supporter of the republican party, and is loyal and public-spirited in his citizenship. Although numbered among the younger generation of agriculturists in Cass township, nevertheless he has already met with a degree of prosperity which augurs well for a very bright and successful future. Having spent his entire life in Jones county, with the exception of a couple of years in the north, he has become widely known among a large circle of friends, and the fact that he is most liked where best known is an indication that his salient characteristics are such as command the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen.

As printed in History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.