Franklin Fairbanks

Franklin Fairbanks (June 18, 1828–April 24, 1895) was an American businessman, political figure, and one of the founders and first trustees of Rollins College.

The son of Erastus Fairbanks and brother of Horace Fairbanks, Franklin Fairbanks was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on June 18, 1828.

At age 18, he entered Fairbanks Scales, the family business which manufactured platform scales. He became president of the company in 1888. Fairbanks was also an officer and director in a number of railroad, mining, manufacturing, banking, and telegraph businesses.

During the Civil War Fairbanks served on the staffs of Governors Hiland Hall and Erastus Fairbanks with the rank of Colonel, responsible for raising, equipping and training troops for the Union Army and dispatching them to the front lines. In addition, he supervised Fairbanks Scales' production of matériel for the war effort, including artillery harness irons and other horse tack.

A Republican, he was a longtime member of Vermont's Republican State Committee. He was Town Meeting Moderator in 1871, 1873, 1880, 1882, and 1884. He was also a member of the Vermont House of Representatives and served as Speaker from 1872 to 1874. In 1877 he received an honorary Master of Arts (M.A.) degree from Dartmouth College.

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