Santa
Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM
FAIR
WILLIAM FAIR. The present home of Mr. Fair is far
removed from the scenes of his boyhood, but his identification with California
is so complete, and his belief in her growth and prosperity so strong, that he
counts his removal to this country, and especially to this section of it, as
among the most fortunate acts of his life.
The year that was made memorable in American history as a result of the
finding of gold in California witnessed the birth of William fair in the home
of William and Jane (Gilpin) Fair, in County Cavan,
Ireland, which was also the birthplace of the parents. The latter never had any desire to leave the
surroundings with which they were familiar to seek a home elsewhere, and
to-day, at the age of ninety-three years, the father may be seen superintending
his large sheep and dairy ranch, which lies close to the border of
Scotland. His companion for many years,
and the mother of his nine children, has been called to her final rest. Mrs. Jane Fair was a descendant of the wealthy
Gilpin family, at Kildare or Larchen, in the north of
Ireland where they were freeholders all their lives. William Fair, Sr., was afterward married to
Margaret Patterson, who is also now deceased.
William Fair was the seventh child in
order of birth in the parental family, and his education consisted of a course
in the common schools of his native land.
As a farmer’s son his experiences did not differ materially from other
boys under similar circumstances, and whether from necessity or choice, it is
known that he gave valuable assistance to his father in the care of the home
farm and in so doing learned many a lesson which he found of practical benefit
in later year when far removed from familiar scenes. In 1869, when twenty years of age, he came to
the United States, landing in New York City, but he did not cease his journeying
until he touched foot on California soil.
As was the case with most new-comers, Mr. Fair’s first attempt at
work was in the mines. Going at once to
Silver creek, he followed mining there for one year, and it is only reasonable
to suppose that his expectations were but partially realized, for the purchase
of land soon afterward was an indication of a desire to return to the life to
which he had been reared. In 1873 he
bought a ranch of one hundred acres near Evergreen, Santa Clara county, but in the fall of the following year he met with
reverses and lost this property. The two
years following this misfortune found him a renter, during this time having the
care of the Hayes place, a tract of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, which he
conducted with excellent success. To
such an extent was he prospered that in 1879 he was again enabled to purchase
land, his choice falling upon the tract which is his home to-day, although the
original acreage has been reduced to thirty-seven acres, sixteen acres having
been sold. Five acres are devoted
exclusively to fruit, and the balance is a field of waving grain.
A marriage ceremony celebrated in San
Jose united the destinies of William Fair and Miss Emma Branch, the latter
a native of Kansas. Three children brighten
their home life, Bertie, Mabel and Raymond.
The family find their religious views to
coincide with the creed of the True Life Church, an organization in San
Jose. Politically Mr. Fair is a
Republican, advocating with enthusiasm and fidelity the platform of his chosen
party, and he supports its candidates with his ballot.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page 752. The Chapman Publishing
Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Donna Toole.