Ezra Fitch
| Ezra Fitch | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch September 27, 1865 Coxsackie, New York, U.S. |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist. Santa Barbara, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Co-founder of Abercrombie & Fitch, 1900 Sole owner, 1907 to 1928 Law practice, New York |
| Years active | 1900–1928 |
| Known for | Fitch, part of company's modern name A&F Clothing line, "Ezra Fitch" Fragrances "Ezra Fitch cologne" and "Ezra perfum" RUEHL No.925 apparel |
Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch (September 27, 1865 – June 16, 1930) was the co-founder of the modern lifestyle brand Abercrombie & Fitch and is attributed with the introduction of Mahjong to the United States.[1][2]
A wealthy New York manager, Fitch began as one of the company's first customers, until finally joining into the company with David Abercrombie. Fitch is attributed with much of the company's successful growth in its early years and a collection of now-defunct upscale apparel and fragrances were introduced in his name.[3]
Biography
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Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch was born September 27, 1865 in Coxsackie, Greene County, New York. He was the only child of Roswell Reed Fitch and Margaretta Wyanna Hasbrouck, both were Christians.[4][5] Roswell Reed Fitch (1841-1888[6]) was the son of Ezra Fitch (1805-1870) and Margaret Reed.[6] Margaretta Hasbrouck (1846-1865[7]) was the daughter of Benjamin L. Hasbrouck and Margaret Rim.[7] Ezra’s mother died shortly after his birth. Ezra spent his early years growing up at the Fitch estate on the banks of the Hudson in Coxsackie built by his grandfather around 1850. The estate included a large Gothic Revival mansion, numerous dependent structures and a dock on the river from which the family conducted a profitable freighting business. R. R. Fitch lived in Brooklyn for a time, working as an agent for an asphalt company.[6]
He married Sarah Huntington Sturges in Brooklyn in 1897.[8] She was the daughter of Stephen Buckingham Sturges (1827-1897), a banker, who was born in Mansfield, Ohio, and Sarah Minerva Cary (1833-) of Syracuse, New York.[9] He was engaged as a real estate developer in Kingston, New York, trading as Jenkins & Fitch. The company built the Huntington apartment house there, among other projects.[10]
According to the A&F company, Fitch was "restless and bored with his profession". He enjoyed the outdoors, and spent his leisure time yachting, climbing the Adirondacks and fishing in the streams of the Catskills.[11] When David Abercrombie opened his excursions store Abercrombie Co. in 1892, Fitch became the store's "most devoted customer."[3][11] In 1900, Fitch bought a major share into the ever-successfully growing company and thus became partners with Abercrombie: supposedly he had to "[convince]" Abercrombie into it.[3][11] By 1904, Fitch's surname was incorporated into the company's name as "Abercrombie & Fitch Co."[3][11] A&F calls Fitch an innovator, and claims that "it can't be done" was not in his vocabulary.[11]
Although both men shared financial success with the company, they became rather an annoyance to one another as is common in company partnerships. Fitch disputed with Abercrombie about who best to manage the company. Fitch wanted to expand the company to the general public, whereas Abercrombie, who was conservative, wanted the company to remain as a store for the elite.[12] In the end, Abercrombie sold his share to Fitch in 1907.
During the Fitch era of the Abercrombie & Fitch Co., the company experienced great success. Fitch expanded and managed the company to great levels of popularity. He created its first mail-order catalog, released in 1909.
The historical introduction of Mahjong to the United States from China has been attributed to Fitch as merchandise in the Abercrombie & Fitch store in 1920.[3]
In 1928, Fitch retired from the company, leaving it under new management.[11] He died on June 16, 1930 on his yacht Content at Santa Barbara, California. His yacht was sold to Johnny Depp and is now owned by Eamonn O'Nolan.
Fitch was Anglican/Episcopalian.
References
- Obituaries, New York Times, New York, N.Y.: June 19, 1930, page 21.
- "CENTENARIAN DIES; Mrs. Roswell Fitch, 103, Was Mother of Founder of Store," New York Times, New York, N.Y.: April 22, 1950, page 15.
- ↑ Newspaper & Magazine Articles and Advertisements
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Margaretta Wyanna Hasbrouck Fitch at Find a Grave
- ↑ Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch at Find a Grave
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 U.S. Federal Census
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Church Record- Marbletown, NY Ref. Ch.
- ↑ NY Health Dept. record
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ People's history of Kingston, Rondout and vicinity 1943
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ The History of Abercrombie and Fitch
