Born: 1870
Died: 1908; Records of Pine Ridge Cemetery give her death year as 1909.
Married: Frederick Fairchild
The General Hospital of Saranac Lake was given in memory of Jane Hopkins Fairchild by Redfield Proctor and his sister, Miss Emily Proctor, of Vermont.
Meriden Weekly Republican, April 24, 1913
DEDICATE HOSPITAL TO BRAVE WOMAN
Redfield Proctor and Sister, Miss Emily Proctor, Remember Rare Courage of Mrs. Frederick Fairchild, a Former Meriden Woman, and Perpetuate Memory at Saranac Lake.
The memory of a Meriden woman of lovable and courageous character has been honored by the dedication of a $25,000 hospital at Saranac lake, N. Y., the famous health resort for tuberculosis sufferers. Mrs. Jane Hopkins Fairchild, wife of Frederick Fairchild, who, died at Saranac lake in 1908, is the woman remembered in this significant way. Miss Emily Dutton Proctor and Redfield Proctor, the daughter and son of the late Senator Proctor, of Vermont, are the donors of this Institution.
It is called the Saranac Lake General hospital and the formal opening was held March 11, 1913.
The Proctors were patients at Saranac lake in the winter of 1904-1905 regaining their health by a six months residence. Among the people with whom they were closely associated were Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Fairchild, who had been there from 1903 for the benefit of Mrs. Fairchild's health. Dr. Norman McLeod Carter, who went there in 1903 was also in this circle. The brave examples set by Mrs. Fairchild and Dr. Carter, who were both tuberculosis sufferers, made a strong impression on the Proctors, which have been remembered in the years that have intervened since their deaths. Dr. Carter died in Switzerland after spending a few years at Saranac lake.
Mr. Proctor and his sister have had a bronze tablet placed in the main hallway of the new hospital. It is inscribed as follows:
Mrs. Jane Hopkins Fairchild Dr. Norman Carter
"By their courage and kindliness they brighted the lives of all who knew them."
We who loved them give this building in Their Memory.
Mr. Fairchild, who is a son of Henry E. Fairchild of this city, is still a resident of Saranac lake and has been chosen as a member of the board of trustees of the new hospital. The institution accommodates twelve patients and is intended to supply the great need in the Saranac lake region for general medical and surgical care. As there is no endowment fund to cover the running expenses of the new hospital, the ladles' auxiliary connected with the institution has formed an association which they hope to raise to a membership of 1,000, each member contributing $1 a year toward the maintenance.
The late Mrs. Fairchild was a native of Naugutuck, coming to Meriden soon after her marriage. Mr. Fairchild when a resident of Meriden was employed by the H. Wales Lines Co., and was in charge of the construction of a number of their buildings out of town. Mrs. Fairchild will be remembered by the people of the First Congregational church of which she was an attendant.
A Saranac newspaper in speaking of the Fairchild's life there states "she was untiring in her efforts to assist those who came here ill and although at all times seriously ill herself, she gave most of her thought and strength to the assistance of others, until her death in the summer of 1908."
