Sarah Jane (Cook) Fairchild
            Wife of Charles M. Fairchild
Born August 9, 1847, in Vermont
Died March 30, 1914, in Wausau, Wisconsin
Buried in Marinette, Wisconsin
 

Unfortunately, we have been unable to locate much information regarding Sarah Jane “Jennie” (Cook) Fairchild.  Much of what we do know is listed on Charles’ page.  The information that follows tends to be more of a social nature and has often been found in local newspaper accounts; however, the existence of that type of information for a woman of the nineteenth century is to be expected for the time period.   

Sarah Cook was the daughter of Nathaniel Cook II and Susan Blood.  Her sister, Ella, was roughly nine years younger and was born in Wisconsin.  According to the 1880 census, Ella lived with the Fairchild family helping to tend to the home.  

In April 1873, less than a year before her marriage to Charles, Miss Jennie Cook won first prize in a costume contest at the masquerade party at the First National Hotel.  She dressed as “the Evening Star.”  (Boatman, Vol. I, p. 275)

The December 31, 1881 edition of the Marinette Eagle lists New Year’s Calls.  Among the ladies who will receive New Year’s calls at places indicated, the newspaper column includes: “Mrs. C. M. Fairchild, assisted by Mrs. O. A. Ellis, of Oconto, Miss Oakie Bigelow, of Toledo, Mrs. Chas. J. Ellis, and Miss Julia Baker, at the residence of C. M. Fairchild.”  Bear in mind that Jennie & Charles moved into their new home around the week of Thanksgiving in 1881. 

The January 23, 1886 edition of the Marinette Eagle includes the following reference: “Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Fairchild gave a very pleasant party at their residence, Friday evening, in commemoration of their twelfth wedding anniversary.”

In the February 20, 1886 edition of the Marinette Eagle it is noted that “Mrs. C. M. Fairchild treated a number of her friends to a pleasant sleigh ride to Peshtigo last evening.” 

As mentioned on Charles Fairchild’s page, the Fairchild family moved to Toledo in 1896 and then to Chicago in 1904/05. 

Obituaries of Sarah J. Fairchild are as follows.

Wausau Daily Record-Herald, Monday evening, March 30, 1914

“MRS. SARAH J. FAIRCHILD
Mother of Mrs. Col. Pier and Mrs. Neuman Bellis Died This Morning

Mrs. Sarah Jane Fairchild, mother of Mrs. Col. J. Pier and Mrs. Neuman Bellis, died early this morning at the home of the later, 727 Warren Street, in this city.  The body will be taken to Marinette Wednesday morning for internment in the Fairchild family lot.  Tomorrow evening at 8:45 o’clock services will be held at the Neuman Bellis home by Rev. James M. Duer.

Besides her daughters, Mrs. Fairchild is survived by her widower who will be here tonight from Chicago, and one son, C. W. Fairchild of New York."

Marinette Eagle, Monday Evening, March 30, 1914
“FORMER MARINETTE LADY DIES IN WAUSAU
MRS. C. M. FAIRCHILD DIES THIS MORNING AT HOME OF HER DAUGHTER, MRS. BELLIS, IN THAT CITY.
FUNERAL ON WEDNESDAY

Was a Pioneer Resident of Marinette; Survived by Husband and Three Children.

Mrs. C. M. Fairchild, a former well known resident of Marinette, died this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Bellis in Wausau.  A telegram to that effect was received by her nephew, A. T. Fairchild of this city.  The latter states that the remains will be brought to Marinette and the funeral will occur late Wednesday afternoon, at the Pioneer Presbyterian church after the arrival of the 4:50 train over the C. & N. W. Ry.

Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Fairchild left Marinette to reside in Chicago about ten years ago.  They were pioneer residents of this city.  Mr. Fairchild was one of the leading business men of Marinette and editor and proprietor for a number of years of The Marinette Star.  Mrs. Fairchild had been in poor health for a number of years.  She is survived by her husband, Charles M. Fairchild, one son, Willard Fairchild of New York and two daughters, Mrs. Bellis and Mrs. Pier of Wausau.”

Wausau Daily Record-Herald, Tuesday, March 31, 1914

“FAIRCHILD FUNERAL—The funeral services for the late Mrs. Sarah J. Fairchild will be held at the home of Neuman Bellis tomorrow morning, at 6:15 , Rev. J. M. Duer officiating, and the body will be taken to Marinette on the 7 o’clock train.  The change in time of holding the services was made because of the inability of her son to reach the city before a late hour tonight.  The funeral will be private.”

Marinette Eagle, March 31, 1914 – repeat of the Wausau article of March 30.

Marinette Eagle, April 2, 1914

“BURY FORMER RESIDENT IN FAMILY PLOT HERE WEDNESDAY EVENING

As Evening Shades are Gathering, Body of Mrs. C. M. Fairchild, Late of Chicago, Is Consigned to the Grave.

The body of Mrs. C. M. Fairchild arrived in Marinette Wednesday afternoon at 5 o’clock and was taken directly to the Pioneer Presbyterian church, where the final services were conducted by the Rev. H. C. Postlethwaite.  There was no music.  The casket was borne by D. J. McAllister, Joshua Hodgins, Caleb Williams, Joseph Maurer, J. H. Peaslee and C. R. Johnston.  Burial took place in Woodlawn cemetery in the family burial plot as the evening shadows deepened. 

The relatives accompanying the body were:  Charles M. Fairchild, the bereaved widower of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Pier, Mr. and Mrs. N. Bellis of Wausau, the ladies being daughters of the decedent; Willard Fairchild, a son, of New York City; Mrs. Mitchell Darrow of Packwaukee, a sister of Mrs. Fairchild, Mrs. H. O. Fairchild and daughter, Mrs. Basche of Green Bay.

There was a large gathering of old-time friends at the church, the decedent having resided in Marinette for many years.  She had been in poor health for about three years, following an operation for gall stones.  She visited here for several weeks recently and renewed the acquaintanceship of years agone.

The mourners who came with the body of their loved one took their departure this afternoon. 

The death of Mrs. Fairchild occurred the first of the week in Wausau, to which city she went to be with her daughters, during her final illness.”