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Charles C. Fitch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles C. Fitch
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the Ingham County 2nd district
In office
January 1, 1889 – December 31, 1892
Preceded byMarshall E. Rumsey
Succeeded byJob T. Campbell
Personal details
Born(1842-07-19)July 19, 1842
Cuylerville, New York
DiedJune 28, 1899(1899-06-28) (aged 56)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mary Kate Clark
(m. 1876)
Alma materMichigan Agricultural College

Charles Carroll Fitch (July 19, 1842 – June 28, 1899) was an American politician.

Early life and education

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Charles C. Fitch was born on July 19, 1842, in Cuylerville, New York. In 1848, Charles' father, Ferris S. Fitch, settled in Bunker Hill Township, Michigan.[1][2] Ferris was one of the largest landowners in Bunker Hill Township, and had extensive farming interests. Charles was first educated at the district schools of Bunker Hill Township, and later studied at the Michigan Agricultural College.[3]

Career

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After graduating from college, Fitch moved to Mason.[3] Fitch was initially a farmer. From 1863 to 1865, Fitch stopped farming and began working in the Ingham County abstract office, and also served as the Deputy Register of Deeds for the county. After this period, Fitch returned to farming until 1875. Fitch ran the county abstract office from 1878 to the summer of 1886. In 1884, Fitch was elected Register of Deeds, and was re-elected in 1886.[4] Fitch also served twelve years on the Mason Board of Education and as president of the Mason Water and Electric Lights Company.[3]

In October 1888, Fitch was unanimously nominated in the Democratic convention for the Michigan House of Representatives seat represented the Ingham County 2nd district.[5] In the general election on November 6, 1888, Fitch won election against Republican nominee Henry L. Henderson.[6][7] Fitch was renominated for the same position in October 1890, by a convention in Dansville.[8] He won re-election in November, against Republican nominee H. Rix Jr.[2] Fitch did not seek re-election in 1892.[6]

Personal life

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In 1876, Fitch married Mary Kate Clark. Together, they had one daughter, Fannie. On February 22, 1900, Fannie married Alva M. Cummins, a prominent lawyer. Fitch was a Freemason.[3] Charles' brother, Ferris S. Fitch Jr., served as Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction.[9]

Death

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Fitch died on June 28, 1899, suddenly of heart disease. At Fitch's funeral, his eulogy was delivered by Lawton T. Hemans.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Turner, Frank N. (1924). An account of Ingham County from its organization. p. 281.
  2. ^ a b "Michigan Manual". Red Book: 589. 1890.
  3. ^ a b c d e Cowles, Albert E. (1905). Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan, by Albert E. Cowles, historically. Together with biographical sketches of many of its leading and prominent citizens and illustrious dead. pp. 127–128.
  4. ^ Michigan Historical Commission (1924). Michigan Biographies: Including Members of Congress, Elective State Officers, Justices of the Supreme Court, Members of the Michigan Legislature, Board of Regents of the University of Michigan, State Board of Agriculture and State Board of Education, Volume 1. p. 294.
  5. ^ "Democratic Legislative Nomination in Ingham County". Detroit Free Press. October 7, 1888. p. 22. Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Legislator Details - Charles C. Fitch". Library of Michigan. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  7. ^ "Michigan Manual". Red Book: 641. 1888.
  8. ^ "Representative Fitch Renominated". Detroit Free Press. October 8, 1890. p. 4. Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "State Items". Detroit Free Press. November 11, 1890. p. 1. Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.