Ezra Fitch

Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch (September 21, 1865 – June 16, 1930) was the co-founder of the modern lifestyle brand Abercrombie & Fitch and is attributed with the historical introduction of Mahjong to the United States.^[1][2]

A wealthy New York lawyer, Fitch began as one of the company's first customers, until finally leaving his practice and 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

Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch was born September 21, 1865 in Coxsackie, Greene County, New York. He was the only child of Roswell Reed Fitch and Margaretta Wyanna Hasbrouck. Roswell Reed Fitch (1841-1888^[4]) was the son of Ezra Fitch (1805-1870) and Margaret Reed.^[5] Margaretta Hasbrouck (1846-1865^[6]) was the daughter of Benjamin L. Hasbrouck and Margaret Rim.^[7] Ezra’s mother died shortly after his birth and his father eventually was remarried to Helen Carswell. 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.^[8]

In 1894, Fitch earned a law degree from New York University.^[9] He married Sarah Huntington Sturges in Brooklyn in 1897.^[10] 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.^[11] It is not clear how much he practiced law, since 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.^[12]

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.^[13] When David Abercrombie opened his excursions store Abercrombie Co. in 1892, Fitch became the store's "most devoted customer."^[3][13] 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][13] By 1904, Fitch's surname was incorporated into the company's name as "Abercrombie & Fitch Co."^[3][13] A&F calls Fitch an innovator, and claims that "it can't be done" was not in his vocabulary.^[13] 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.^[14] 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 gave the store an "ambient atmosphere" and 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.^[13] He died on June 16, 1930 on his yacht at Santa Barbara, California.

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.