Fairfield, John, 1797-1847

John Fairfield (January 30, 1797 – December 24, 1847) was an attorney and politician from Maine. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, the 13th and 16th governor of Maine and U.S. Senator. Fairfield was born in Pepperellborough, Massachusetts (now Saco, Maine) and attended the schools of York County. After serving in the War of 1812, he pursued a business career before deciding to become an attorney, and after in the office of an established lawyer and judge, Fairfield attained admission to the bar in 1826. He practiced in Saco and Biddeford, and became active in politics as a Democrat. He was elected to the US House in 1834, reelected in 1836, and served from 1835 until 1838, when he resigned to become governor. Elected in 1838, he served from 1839 to 1841. He returned to the governorship in 1842, and served until resigning in 1843 to accept election to the U.S. Senate. He was elected to the final four years of the term in 1844, and served until his death. Fairfield died in Washington, D.C., and was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco.