EDWARD L. FITCH. |
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Edward L. Fitch, a stockman of Campbell county, owning a
large ranch and conducting his business interests according to
progressive methods, has ever been characterized in his business
career by a spirit of enterprise that accomplishes results. He
was born in Des Moines, Iowa, June 11, 1859, and is a son of Naham
and Mariette (Huntoon) Fitch, both of whom were natives of Ohio.
Removing westward, they settled in Iowa in the early ’50s, and in
1860 became residents of NebraskaCity, where Mr. Fitch engaged
in the business of freighting until 1864. He then removed to
Montana, where he settled upon a ranch and turned his attention to
the dairy business, in which he was engaged until 1879. In that year
he went to Utah, establishing his home near Ogden. He was engaged in
merchandising in that state for two years, at the end of which time
he disposed of his property and returned to Iowa, establishing his
home at Council Bluffs, where he engaged in raising live stock. At
his next removal he became a resident of Colorado. This was in 1874,
at which time he settled upon a ranch, where he made his home until
the fall of 1879, when he removed to Sidney, Nebraska, where he
continued in the live stock business. At a later period he became a
resident of Newcastle, where he conducted a mercantile establishment
until 1892. He then disposed of his store and became a resident of
the state of Washington, where his last days were passed. His wife
departed this life in Wyoming. Edward L. Fitch began his education in the public schools and continued his studies as opportunity offered in the various localities where the family resided. At the age of eighteen years he engaged in the cattle business on his own account in Colorado, and in 1890 became a resident of Wyoming, where he continued to carry on the business of raising live stock, conducting his interests upon a ranch in Campbell county. He has since given his attention to the live stock business and is today the owner of a large and splendidly improved ranch property, the neat and thrifty appearance of which indicates his careful supervision, his progressive methods and his spirit of undauted enterprise. In 1880 Mr. Fitch was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Matthews, a native of Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of six children: Frank, who is a stockman of Wyoming; Naham, who is engaged in the stock business with his father; Edward, deceased; Charles and William, who have also passed away; and Glenn, who is a partner of his father in the live stock business. The wife and mother passed away in 1914 and was laid to rest in Gillette cemetery, her death being deeply regretted not only by her husband and three surviving children, but also by the many friends whom she had won during the period of her residence in this state. Mr. Fitch is a democrat in his political views but is not an office seeker, preferring to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his business interests, which, wisely directed, have brought to him a substantial measure of success. He is a man of diligence and determination. never afraid of work, and his close application and indefatigable energy are the expression of a strong purpose. He deserves much credit for what ne has accomplished and is a self-made man whose life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be done by the individual without pecuniary assistance from others. |