The memory of Robert E. Fitch forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present in Wyoming, where he settled in pioneer times. Through the intervening period he has taken an active and helpful part in promoting the work of progress and development in many ways and he is now well known in business circles in Laramie as a dealer in real estate and insurance.
    He was born in Walton, Delaware county. New York, September 16, 1843, a son of Cyrenus and Isabella (Graham) Fitch, the former a native of Connecticut, while the latter was born in Scotland. The father removed to the state of New York, where he engaged in business along mechanical lines to the time of his death. In the family "were six children, of whom Robert E. was the youngest.
    In boyhood days he attended school in the village of Walton, New York, and afterward in Plainfield, Illinois. He was left an orphan by the death of his parents when but nine years of age and he then went to work for an uncle, James R. Graham, who was a resident of Plainfield. A year or two later he joined an emigrant train en route for the west, crossing the Mississippi river at Comanche, Illinois, on a rope ferry. He made the trip in company with his uncle and eventually they reached Tama county, Iowa, where they located on government land. Mr. Fitch remained with the uncle for eight years and experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life in that state, aiding in the arduous task of developing a new farm. Following the outbreak of the Civil war his patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the army, enlisting with the boys in blue of Company G, Fourteenth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for three years. He participated in the battle of Shiloh and while at the front was captured and was sent to Libby Prison, where he remained for eight months, suffering all the hardships of southern prison life. At length he received his discharge but he reenlisted, joining the One Hundred and Thirty-second Illinois Infantry, with which he continued until the end of the war, making a most creditable record by his bravery on the field of battle and his unfaltering loyalty to the cause which he espoused. When the country no longer needed his military aid he returned to his old home in Tama county, Iowa, remaining there and in Belle Plaine, Iowa, for three years. Feeling the need of better educational advantages than he had thus far received, he then entered the State University at Iowa City, where he spent five years in study, being graduated with the class of June, 1872, having completed the literary course and also won the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy and Master of Arts. Thus splendidly qualified by liberal intellectual training for life's practical and responsible duties, he came to Wyoming, taking up his abode in Laramie in the fall of 1872. For ten years he had charge of the public schools of the city as superintendent and did much to develop the school system upon a safe and substantial basis, contributing in marked measure to the advancement of educational standards and to the benefit of the curriculum. He next took up ranching and sheep raising, in which he continued successfully for six years, when his health failed and forced him to abandon that occupation. He then turned his attention to the real estate, insurance and loan business, in which he has continued from 1889 till the present time. The same spirit of persistency, determination, ready adaptability and close application which characterized him in other relations has won for him success in his present field and he is today one of the prominent real estate men of Laramie, thoroughly conversant with the property upon the market and correct in its valuation. He has promoted many important sales and is one of the leading real estate men of Laramie.
    On the 11^th of August, 1874, in La Grange, Missouri, Mr. Fitch was united in marriage to Miss Lida Eaton, a daughter of the Rev. Edwin and Martha (Austin) Eaton, the former a Baptist clergyman who was a chaplain in the United States navy. Mrs. Fitch was born in Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, a graduate of the University of Iowa, having completed her course there in the same year in which Mr. Fitch was graduated. She was a member of the Laramie school board at the time of her death. They became the parents of two children, E. E. and Robert G. Fitch. The latter, who is assistant cashier of the Albany County National Bank, married Miss Willie V. Downey, of Laramie, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Downey, who were pioneers of this state. They have become parents of three children: Virginia D., Robert G., Jr., and Dorothy. The elder son is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Fitch died February 6, 1918, in Laramie, her death causing great sorrow to her immediate family and calling forth sincere regret among her many friends.
    Mr. Fitch has always given his political allegiance to the republican party, of which he is a stalwart advocate, and he served as state senator during the first and second sessions of the general assembly of Wyoming in 1890 and in 1892. He proved a valued member of the upper house through his support of many progressive measures which have been of benefit to the state and he was identified with much constructive legislation during those periods. He has also been justice and police judge of Laramie for six years, was county coroner for eight years and has held other local offices. He is a member of the Congregational church and is serving also as president of the board of trustees of the Baptist church and has done much to further their interests and upbuilding in many ways. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has filled all the chairs of the lodge, including that of master. He likewise holds membership with the Grand Army post and belongs to Phi Kappa Psi, a Greek letter fraternity. He also is a member of Wyoming Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
    Mr. Fitch stands very high in public regard. He has been identified with those phases of life which have figured most prominently in connection with Wyoming's development and progress–its ranching interests, its educational system, its public offices, its fraternal organizations and its churches. In a word, his aid and influence have ever been given on the side of progress and advancement and he stands for those things which work for the uplift of the individual and the betterment of the community.