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Meryl 'Robert' Fairchild - Rochester

Meryl Robert Fairchild, like several generations before him, spent a lifetime farming in the Rochester, Illinois area. He attended Rochester schools, graduating from high school in 1949. He attended University of Illinois briefly, but his time there was interrupted when his father needed help on the farm. He never returned to college. He married Helen Jane Brubaker on October 24, 1954. Bob and Helen had two sons and a daughter.

Interview Links

Abstract

Interview Session (Audio)

Photos

Caption

Meryl Robert Fairchild (Bob), taken at his home at the time of his interview in May, 2017.

Where:

Illinois

When:

May,2017

Ownership:

Oral History Program photo

Caption

An aerial view of the Fairchild family farm taken in the fall of 1973. The farm was located Buckhart Road, east of Rochester.

Where:

Rochester, Illinois

When:

1973

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

Bob works on his rural Rochester farm in 1983. The picture appeared on the cover of Prairie Farmer magazine, date unknown.

Where:

Rochester, Illinois

When:

1983

Ownership:

May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.

Caption

Meryl Fairchild, Sr. stands next to his combine on the family farm in 1955.

Where:

Rochester, Illinois

When:

1955

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo

Caption

The Fairchild family visited Washington, D.C. in 1972 and met with Representative Paul Findley on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

Where:

Washington, D.C.

When:

1972

Ownership:

Narrator’s photo