Ezra Fitch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ezra Fitch
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Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch
September 27, 1865 Coxsackie, New York, U.S.
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| Died | June 16, 1930 (aged 64) |
| 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 (born September 27, 1865 – died June 16, 1930) was an American businessman who loved the outdoors. He was a real estate developer and enjoyed activities like yachting and climbing. Ezra Fitch is best known for being a key person behind the famous clothing company, Abercrombie & Fitch. He started as a loyal customer of the original store. Later, he became a partner and then the full owner of the company. His ideas helped the company grow a lot in its early days.
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Ezra Fitch's Early Life and Family
Ezra Hasbrouck Fitch was born on September 27, 1865. His hometown was Coxsackie, New York. He was the only child of Roswell Reed Fitch and Margaretta Wyanna Hasbrouck. Sadly, Ezra's mother passed away shortly after he was born.
His father remarried in 1873 to Helen Eldridge Carswell. Helen became like a mother to Ezra. Ezra also had two younger half-sisters from his father's second marriage. Ezra grew up on his family's large estate in Coxsackie. This estate was on the banks of the Hudson River.
Marriage and Early Work
Ezra Fitch married Sarah Huntington Sturges in Brooklyn, New York, in 1897. Sarah's father was a banker. Before joining the famous clothing company, Ezra worked as a real estate developer. He built apartment buildings and other projects in Kingston, New York.
Building Abercrombie & Fitch
Ezra Fitch loved spending time outdoors. He enjoyed yachting, climbing the Adirondacks, and fishing. He felt bored with his real estate job. When David T. Abercrombie opened his outdoor gear store in 1892, Ezra became his best customer.
Becoming Partners
In 1900, Ezra Fitch bought a large part of Abercrombie's growing company. He became David Abercrombie's business partner. By 1904, Ezra's last name was added to the company's name. It became "Abercrombie & Fitch Co." The company says Ezra was a very creative person. They claim he never believed something "can't be done."
Even though they were successful, Ezra and David had different ideas. Ezra wanted to make the company bigger and sell to more people. David, however, wanted the company to stay small and serve only a special group of customers. In 1907, David Abercrombie sold his share of the company to Ezra. Ezra Fitch then became the sole owner.
Growth Under Fitch
During Ezra Fitch's time as owner, Abercrombie & Fitch became very popular. He helped the company grow a lot. He created the company's first mail-order catalog in 1909. This allowed people to order items from far away.
Ezra Fitch is also credited with bringing the game of Mahjong to the United States. Abercrombie & Fitch started selling Mahjong sets in their store in 1920.
Later Life and Legacy
In 1928, Ezra Fitch retired from the company. He left it under new management. He passed away on June 16, 1930. He died on his new yacht, named Content, in Santa Barbara, California. Ezra Fitch is buried in Washington, Connecticut, where he lived. His wife, Sarah, lived until 1960.
Fitch's Family History
Ezra Fitch was named after his grandfather, also named Ezra Fitch. His grandfather was a businessman too. He operated boats on the Hudson River. He also built a hotel in Kingston, New York. A street in Kingston, Fitch Street, is named after Ezra's grandfather.
Ezra Fitch's family had many interesting connections. His paternal aunt married his maternal uncle, making their children double first cousins to Ezra. His grandparents were also distant cousins.
Images for kids
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Inside the 1909 catalog featuring apparel for men and women.
