Biography

1825 - 05/1877

Lafayette F. Fitch (R14) Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties, 1871-1874

Early Life:

Lafayette F. Fitch born 1825, Eaton, Madison County, New York; son of Stephen and Alta Sheldou Fitch;  moved, Montrose, Pennsylvania, 1838; Montrose Academy; teacher; read law, law partner of his tutor, 1848-1866; law partner, Fitch and Watson, 1866-1877; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1871-1874; married, Mary Sayre, 1855, daughter, Hattie B. Fitch; died, May 1877 (aged 51–52) interment, Montrose Cemetery, Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

Early Career:

Served, first lieutenant, Pennsylvania Emergency Company, Civil War, sixty days, saw no active service, 1863; Ruling elder, Sunday school teacher, Montrose Presbyterian Church; foreman, Rough and Ready Fire Company.  

Read law with his brother-in-law, Benjamin S. Bentley, law practice, 1848-1866; law partner, Fitch and Watson, 1866-1877.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 14^th district, Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties, 1871-1874; committee assignment, Congressional Apportionment, Judicial General, Judicial Local, Estates and Escheats; proffered a re-nomination, but declined, and his law partner, W. W. Watson, was elected to take his place.

Legacy:

Wife, Mary Sayre, a daughter of Mason S. and Mary Sayre Wilson, of Montrose, whose ancestors were the first settlers of Bridgewater Township.

Cited: 

Smull’s Legislative Hand Book, (1873) Smull, J.A., Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 515, 517, 522-524.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106739354/lafayette-f-fitch

Centennial History of Susquehanna County