Theresa Fair Oelrichs

Theresa Fair Oelrichs

Tessie Oelrichs (seated) c. 1910 with son Hermann, Jr. standing on left
Born Theresa Alice Fair
1871
Virginia City, Nevada, United States
Died 1926
Nationality American
Spouse(s) Hermann Oelrichs
Children Hermann, Jr.
Parent(s) James Graham Fair
Theresa Rooney

Born on June 30, 1871, as Theresa Alice Fair, 'Tessie' went from the daughter of a hard-scrabble California miner to become heiress to a fortune in Comstock Lode gold and silver, the wife of steamship magnate Hermann Oelrich, mistress of the Rosecliff estate in Newport, Rhode Island and a member of the elite Triumvirate of American society.[1]

Early life

Theresa's father, James Graham Fair, was born in Clogher, County Tyrone and emigrated to the United States from Belfast, Ireland in 1843 at age twelve. He worked the California mines until 1860, when he moved to Nevada to work the newly discovered traces there. He met Theresa Rooney - an innkeeper's daughter, and they wed in 1861. Born in Virginia City, Nevada, Tessie grew up in mining camps as her father prospected for gold. The Fairs would have four children: Theresa (called 'Tessie'), Virginia (nicknamed 'Birdie'), Charles and James, Jr.[2]

Beginnings of wealth

In 1859, James Fair and three partners discovered the Comstock Lode in Nevada - the largest single deposit of gold and silver ever found - and became wealthy. More than 100 million dollars worth of gold (over 2.5 billion in today's currency) was extracted from that mine before it was played out in 1898. James Fair parlayed his share on the railroad and real estate market into a private fortune of $50 million.[3] Money led to a dissolute life of affairs and drinking for him, and in 1883 his wife filed for divorce, getting custody of Tessie and Virginia. In 1889, in Newport, she met steamship tycoon Hermann Oelrichs, whom she wed the following year. The lavish wedding was held in San Francisco. James Fair's gift to his daughter was one million dollars, but even so he was not invited to the wedding. Now a wealthy heiress, Tessie moved east permanently to join the social circles of New York, Newport and Europe.[4]

A Woman of substance

Tessie's social peers, Alva Vanderbilt and Grace Vanderbilt already had expensive mansions in Newport which were called "summer cottages" by the elite of the day. Tessie set her sights on being mistress of her own grand estate, so she commissioned architect Stanford White to renovate their recently purchased Rosecliff.[5] Begun in 1899 and modeled after the Grand Trianon at Versailles, Rosecliff was completed in 1902 with a final cost of $2.5 million.[6] In 1899, Tessie orchestrated a coup for the family by marrying her younger sister Birdie off to William K. Vanderbilt II, son of Alva and William K. Vanderbilt in a wedding that was extensively covered in the society pages.[7]

Tessie ruled American society as one of the so-called Triumvirate, made up of herself, Mamie Fish and Alva Belmont. Where Alva was the extravagant hostess and Mamie threw exotic and often raucous parties, Tessie was known as the martinet - the drill sergeant - of the three, enforcing the rules of polite society.[8] Hermann's niece Blanche once described her as "strongly addicted to Society as business."[9] She publicly acted as a devoted and happy wife, but privately she and Hermann were estranged. When news reached her that he survived the massive San Francisco earthquake of 1906, she hoped for a reconciliation. Hermann returned east, so she prepared a lavish supper for them together. When he did not attend, she was enraged. Unreconciled, Hermann later died of a heart attack. He left his full estate to his brother Charles thinking that Tessie would be content with her own fortune, but Tessie fought the will and received half the estate.[10]

Death and Legacy

Theresa Fair Oelrichs died at Newport in 1926 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, The Bronx, New York City.[11] The stately home Rosecliff stands open to the public today in Newport, Rhode Island.[12]

Notes

  1. ↑ Adventures.
  2. ↑ Gavan 37-8.
  3. ↑ Gavan 38.
  4. ↑ Gavan 38-9.
  5. ↑ Hughes.
  6. ↑ Rosecliff.
  7. ↑ Gavan 39
  8. ↑ Adventures.
  9. ↑ Adventures.
  10. ↑ Gavan 40.
  11. ↑ Hughes.
  12. ↑ Rosecliff.

Sources

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