Fairbanks family.

Thaddeus Fairbanks (1796-1886), built and operated a gristmill and sawmill, and built carriages in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont. In 1823 Thaddeus built an iron foundry and his brother, Erastus Fairbanks (1792-1864), joined him to establish E. and T. Fairbanks, to manufacture stoves and plows. Thaddeus, an inventor and mechanic, perfected and patented a design for a platform scale in 1830 and three years later Erastus, Thaddeus, and their youngest brother, Joseph P. Fairbanks (1806-1855), formed E. & T. Fairbanks & Company to manufacture and sell the scales. The company was successful and the scales became renowned nationally and internationally. E. & T. Fairbanks & Company continued in business until 1916 when it was purchased by Fairbanks, Morse and Company of Cincinnati and Chicago.