George Winthrop Fairchild

George Winthrop Fairchild
Born	Template:Birth date Oneonta, New York, U.S.
Died	December 31, 1924(1924-12-31) (aged 70)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, financier, politician
Years active	1890–1924
Known for	Chairman of Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR), U.S. Representative from New York

George Winthrop Fairchild (May 6, 1854 – December 31, 1924) was a six-term Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York. Prior to his political tenure, he was an entrepreneur and financier, most notably serving as chairman of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR) from 1915 until 1924, the company that eventually evolved into IBM.

Biography

George Fairchild was born in Oneonta, New York, to parents Jesse and Belle Fairchild, originating from a humble agricultural family. His formal schooling was limited, leading him to begin an apprenticeship in printing at age 14 and pursue much of his education independently.

In 1890, he acquired full ownership of the Oneonta Herald, a weekly publication. He played a pioneering role in the development of the time recording industry by investing in and directing the Bundy Manufacturing Company starting in 1896. By 1900, Fairchild established the International Time Recording Company, which acted as the sales organization for Bundy Manufacturing, Willard and Frick Manufacturing, and Standard Time Stamp Company.

Following the creation of the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company by Charles R. Flint in 1911, Fairchild assumed its presidency. He subsequently became chairman and maintained this position after CTR was rebranded as IBM in February 1924, holding the chairmanship until his passing later that year.

Congressional career

Fairchild represented New York as a Republican across six consecutive terms in Congress, from the Sixtieth through the Sixty-fifth Congresses (1907–1919). Additionally, he participated as a delegate at the Republican National Conventions in both 1912 and 1916.

Beyond his legislative duties, he occupied leadership roles such as vice president of the International Peace Conference. In 1910, President Taft designated him as a special commissioner with ministerial status to attend Mexico’s First Centenary celebration.

Marriage and family

On March 18, 1891, he wed Josephine Mills Sherman from Davenport, Delaware County, New York. Their son, Sherman Mills Fairchild, was born on April 7, 1896. The family home in Oneonta, known as the Fairchild Mansion, gained recognition by being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.