FAIRBANKS, ERASTUS (1792-1864), American manu facturer, was born in Brimfield (Mass.) on Oct. 28, 1792. In 1824 he formed a partnership with his brother Thaddeus for the manufacture of stoves and ploughs. Erastus was a member of the State legislature in 1836-38, and governor of Vermont in and 186o-61. His son HORACE FAIRBANKS (182o-88) became president of E. and T. Fairbanks and Co. in 1874, and was gov ernor of Vermont from 1876 to 1878.
His brother THADDEUS FAIRBANKS inventor, was born at Brimfield (Mass.) on Jan. 17, 1796. He designed the models from which he and his brother manufactured stoves and ploughs at St. Johnsbury (Vt.). In 1826 he patented a cast-iron plough which was extensively used. In 1831 he invented the famous compound-lever platform scale, which marked a great advance in the construction of machines for weighing heavy ob jects. He died at St. Johnsbury on April 12, 1886.