| George Winthrop Fairchild | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 34th district |
|
| In office March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1919 |
|
| Preceded by | James S. Simmons |
| Succeeded by | William H. Hill |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 24th district |
|
| In office March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1913 |
|
| Preceded by | Frank J. LeFevre |
| Succeeded by | Woodson R. Oglesby |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 6, 1854 Oneonta, New York |
| Died | December 31, 1924 (aged 70) New York City |
| Political party | Republican Party |
| Spouse(s) | Josephine Mills Sherman |
| Children | Sherman Mills Fairchild |
| Occupation | Computer businessman |
George Winthrop Fairchild (May 6, 1854 – December 31, 1924), was a six-term Republican U.S. Representative from New York. Prior to joining congress, he was a businessman and investor, best known as the chairman from 1915-1924 of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company which later became IBM.
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He was born in Oneonta New York, United States to Jesse and Belle Fairchild. His father was a poor farmer. George and his siblings had to help their father on the farm and had little opportunity to study. He attended the local school until he was 14 years old, when he apprenticed to a printer.
Primarily self-educated, he rose to prominence through his own effort and enterprise. In 1890, He became the sole proprietor of the Oneonta "Herald," a weekly newspaper. He was a pioneer in the time recording industry. In 1896, in association with his friend Harlow N. Bundy he joined the Bundy Manufacturing Company, a time clock manufacturer, as both an investor and director. In 1900 Fairchild formed the International Time Recording Company as the selling agency of the Bundy Manufacturing Company, Willard and Frick Manufacturing Company, and Standard Time Stamp Company, which also manufactured a card recorder.
In 1911, when the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company was formed through the efforts of Charles R. Flint, Fairchild became president of the new company. He later became chairman of the company and continued in this role when in February 1924, C-T-R was renamed as IBM. He was chairman of IBM until his death on December 31 of 1924.
Apart from manufacturing and journalism, Fairchild was a seasoned politician. He was elected as a Republican to the Sixtieth and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1919) while elected delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1912, 1916
Fairchild was elected vice president of the International Peace Conference. He was appointed by President Taft on August 10, 1910, as special commissioner to the First Centenary of Mexico at Mexico City, with the rank of Minister.
He married Josephine Mills Sherman, daughter of William Sherman, of Davenport, Iowa on February 15, 1891. They had a son, Sherman Mills Fairchild, who was born on April 7, 1896. His home in Oneonta, known as the Fairchild Mansion, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.[1]
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Frank J. LeFevre |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 24th congressional district 1907–1913 |
Succeeded by Woodson R. Oglesby |
| Preceded by James S. Simmons |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 34th congressional district 1913–1919 |
Succeeded by William H. Hill |