John Willis Fairchild was born Aug. 6, 1873, near Canton, South Dakota. When about two years of age, he came to Blair with his parents where he resided until the month of his 21st birthday when he enlisted in Co. B. 17th Inf. and served three years, being honorable discharged in August 1897, and re-enlisted in Co. C 10th U.S. Infantry. His regiment being ordered to Cuba, they landed June 22 at Baequari. He participated in the Battle of San Juan, and fought at the left of El Caney, and Battle of Santiago. Almost immediately after the surrender of Santiago, he was taken with typhoid fever and after a month’s illness in the hospital died Aug. 24, 1898, age 25 years and 10 days. In writing of him his Captain spoke of him as being a favorite with the Company and that he showed himself brave in the hottest of the conflict.

He became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Blair at the age of 16 years and served his Church and Sunday School faithfully while at home.

His remains were interred temporarily at Santiago and were shipped home for burial Monday. Memorial services were held at the Presbyterian Church on Easter Sabbath, Dr. Williams based his discourse James 4-14, “What is your life?” He treated life as a great mystery, as a great reality, as of immeasurable value, and of the stern discipline of life as the source of the ultimate glory. He paid a fitting tribute to the memory of the heroic dead as one who gave his life to his County in humanities service.

The entire record of the deceased was one of very high honor and many a noble tribute from his comrades and commander has been received.

#3 Printed in the April 3, 1899 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska

The body of John W. Fairchild, who died in a hospital at Santiago , arrived on the morning train and was interred in the Blair Cemetery this afternoon.

#3 Printed in the April 6, 1899 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska

The relatives of J. W. Fairchild, whose body was laid to rest in the Blair Cemetery last Monday, desire by this means to extend their thanks to the many who offered assistance and sympathy. They desire especially to remember the G.A.R. boys who took charge of the funeral, together with the Third Regiment boys who acted in the capacity of pallbearers. Mr. Fairchild will be remembered as the Blair boy who went through the Santiago campaign and later died of fever. He was a member of Company C 10th United States Infantry.

#4 Fairchild, John Willis, 25

Published in Blair Courier on 1 September 1898

Last Friday's papers contained a note of the death of John Fairchild, a soldier at Santiage de Cuba, who died of typhoid fever on Aug. 24 and is well and favorably known in this vicinity, having been born and raised here. He was a little over 25 years old, having been born on August 6, 1873. He first enlisted four years ago in the 17th infantry and reenlisted one year ago in Company C, 10th Infantry. He is a brother of Mrs. H.E. Viele.

~~~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska library.~~~~