Charles Oliver Fairbank (doctor)

Charles Oliver Fairbank
Born	Template:Birth date Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Died	February 24, 1925(1925-02-24) (aged 66)
Occupation(s)	Oil entrepreneur, military officer, medical doctor
Years active	1880–1918
Known for	Canadian oil industry pioneer, Medical Doctor #1 in WWI, discovering Canada's first gas gusher in 1914

Major Charles Oliver Fairbank (1858–1925) was a distinguished Canadian oil entrepreneur, military officer, and medical doctor who served during the First World War.

Born on July 21, 1858, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Fairbank was the son of John Henry Fairbank, a pioneer in the Petrolia oil industry. His childhood unfolded amidst the Oil Springs and Petrolia oil booms, residing with his father in a log cabin at Oil Springs from ages four to eight. As local oil reserves declined, he assumed control of the family enterprises in 1912, overseeing both oil extraction operations and a hardware business. The Fairbank family established Fairbank Oil in 1861, a company that continues to operate today. He pursued his education at Helmuth College in London, Ontario and was among the inaugural cohort at the Royal Military College of Canada, enrolling in 1876 and graduating in 1880. In 1891, he earned his medical degree from King's College (currently Columbia College) in New York. Nicknamed the "little doctor" due to his stature, he served as Medical Doctor #1 on headquarters staff during World War I. His business interests extended to owning one of Canada's final private banks, which operated from 1869 until its voluntary closure in 1924. Among his notable achievements was discovering Canada's first gas gusher in 1914 and developing oil fields in Bothwell, Ontario and California’s Elk Hills Oil Field.

Personal life

At age 57, already prosperous and with a family, Fairbank was residing in California when World War I erupted. Driven by a sense of duty, he returned to Canada to enlist. He lived in Petrolia alongside his wife Clara Mabel Fairbank (née Sussex) and their four sons: John Henry (15), Charles Oliver Fairbank (11), Henry Churchill (10), and Robert Theodore (8 months). Balancing roles as an oil operator and medical practitioner, he was a member of the Church of England.

Military service

Fairbank received his commission as Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on August 25, 1880, serving with the Active Militia of Ontario from July 1880 until his resignation in June 1881. On May 12, 1898, he advanced to Major of the Sixth "London" Field Battery in Ontario, building upon prior experience with both Canadian and Royal Artillery units. At 57 years old, he enlisted for service in World War I on December 3, 1915, bringing expertise as both an oil operator and medical professional. Due to his age, he initially trained recruits within Canada and England but later engaged directly in combat during the Battle of the Somme with the 70th Battalion.

Subsequently recalled from frontline duties to capitalize on his skills in training and recruitment, he delivered impactful speeches throughout the region. His wartime roles encompassed service with the 70th, 59th, and 18th Battalions as well as Medical Doctor #1 on Headquarters Staff. Departing Halifax aboard SS Lapland in April 1916, he served in France before assuming command responsibilities at Boulogne and later in England.

His military honors include the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He concluded his service with Headquarters Canadian Training Division at Shornecliffe and was demobilized on December 31, 1918, in London, Ontario.

Services To Canada

A persuasive public speaker, Fairbank played a vital role supporting the war effort through numerous addresses across the region, including participation in a parade held in Sarnia. He took part in many cenotaph dedication ceremonies honoring fallen soldiers prior to his death on February 24, 1925. Of particular note was his unveiling of the Petrolia Cenotaph—a granite monument dedicated to soldiers—on September 24, 1922, located in Victoria Park and designed by Toronto sculptor Emmanuel Hahn. His civic contributions included serving as reeve, warden (in 1914), and mayor of Petrolia (in 1919). Politically active as well, he stood twice as a Liberal candidate for Lambton East during federal elections held in 1908 and 1911.

Legacy

Multiple sites associated with Fairbank are recognized on the Petrolia Municipal Register of Cultural Heritage, notably Lancey Hall, which was once the home of his wife at 429 Ella Street, and Little Red Bank located at 4245 Petrolia Line. His military attire was displayed at the Lambton Heritage Museum until November 2014. These landmarks and memorabilia highlight his enduring impact on Petrolia’s cultural history and its integral role within Canada’s petroleum sector.

References

• Gary May Hard Oiler! Subtitle: The Story of Early Canadians' Quest for Oil at Home and Abroad
• Gary May Groundbreaker (a biography of Leo Ranney, who married Clara, the widow of Dr. Charles Oliver Fairbank)
• Hope Morritt Rivers of Oil Subtitle: The Founding of North America's Petroleum Industry
• Patricia McGee The Story of Fairbank Oil. Subtitle: Four Generations of the Family Producing Oil Longer than Anyone in the World