Grandison Fairchild

Grandison Fairchild (1792–1890) was an American reformer and active in the founding of Oberlin College.  Mr. Fairchild, with his family, then consisting of wife and three children, left Stockbridge, Massachusetts and traveled to Brownhelm in September 1818, coming from Buffalo to Cleveland on the pioneer steamer Walk-in-the-Water.  Four days were spent on the water, the vessel lying for two days on a bar at Erie.  From Cleveland the journey was made with team and wagon.  His sons became presidents of various educational institutions. James was president of Oberlin for a quarter of a century. Henry was president of Berea College at Berea, Kentucky. George was president of Kansas State University. 

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