Fred E. Place was reared and educated in the Pine Tree state and when a young man he left New England for the west. He came to Wyoming when it was a territory, and worked as a cowboy on the range and later settled on Bates creek, where he took up a claim and engaged in the live stock business on his own account, devoting his attention to that pursuit until 1903, when he took up his abode in Casper. He then concentrated his attention upon surveying and in 1910 was elected to the position of clerk of the district court which office he continued to fill until 1917, when he resigned.
    In his political views Mr. Place has always been a stalwart republican and has exerted considerable influence over political thought and action. He was one of the first county commissioners of Natrona county, serving in that office for one term, and as clerk and as commissioner he made a most creditable record for devotion to the general good. Fraternallv he is well known as a Mason, belonging to Casper Lodge, No. 15, F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and of the Order of the Eastern Star. He likewise has membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Woodmen of the World.
    There is no phase of pioneer life in this section of Wyoming with which he is not familiar. He has lived here since this district was largely an open range and the cowboy was a picturesque figure as he rode over the country after stray herds of cattle. He has lived to see remarkable changes as the years have gone on and has borne his part in the work of general improvement and advancement.