Biographical Sketch of Albert Crawford Fitch, Johnson County, Missouri, Columbus Township >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Albert Crawford Fitch, proprietor of "Hilldale Stock Farm," which is located one-half mile east of Columbus, Missouri is one of the progres- sive, intelligent, up to date farmers and stockmen of Johnson county. He is a native of this county. Mr. Fitch was born December 25, 1868 in Columbus township, a son of James Madison and Martha (Davis) Fitch, the former, a native of Kentucky and the latter, of Missouri. James Madison Fitch came to Johnson county, Missouri, from Kentucky in 1866 and sett- led on the farm where he now resides. Martha (Davis) Fitch was a daughter of William Davis, a native of North Carolina, a well known and prominent pioneer of Columbus township. Mrs. William Davis was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McFarland, of Tennessee. Mrs. Davis was born in Tennessee. Mrs. Fitch died about November 21, 1895. To James Madi- son and Martha Fitch were born seven children, who are now living: C. G., a farmer of Centerview township, Johnson county; Forrest, of Centerview township, Johnson county; James E., who resides in Texas; Mrs. Mahala Phillips, of Centerview township; Mrs. Nellie Mosby, of Columbus township; Mrs. Anna Faulkner, Lafayette county, Missouri; and A. C., the subject of this review. In the Wolden district school A. C. Fitch obtained a good common school education. At the age of 21 years, he began life for himself, engaged in farming and stock raising in Columbus township. He purchased his present farm in 1902. "Hilldale Stock Farm" was formerly owned by William Houx, a pioneer of Johnson county, who settled here in the early thirties. The original farm com- prised but 150 acres of land, to which Mr. Fitch has since added and now "Hilldale Stock Farm" embraces 305 acres of valuable farm land in Columbus township. The place is abundantly watered and is generally conceded to be the best stock farm in the township. Mr. Fitch has added many improvements since he became the owner and the farm has now three good residences and five splendid barns on it. A new barn has just been completed, 40 x 50 feet in dimensions and 18 feet to square, with a concrete foundation, boxing of walnut and frame of white oak, and the post supports all set in concrete. Mr. Fitch usually keeps from 75 to 100 hogs on the farm, 60 head of Shropshire sheep, some of which are registered, and 40 head of cattle, besides a herd of calves. A number of the cattle are registered Durhams. Mr. Fitch has 13 acres of the place in alfalfa and he had already cut it three times last year, of 1917, and at the time of this writing, had harvested 55 large loads from the small field. He thinks that alfalfa is a splendid paying proposition. "Hilldale Stock Farm" is conveniently located on the Columbus and Warrensburg road. A. C. Fitch and Adah Holderman, daugh- ter of Gilderoy and Jane Holderman, were united in marriage on October 7, 1894. Mrs. Fitch is a native of Bates county, Missouri, and at the time of her marriage was residing in the state of Washington. Both her parents are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Fitch have been born ten children, all of whom are now living: Mattie E., born September 31, 1895, at home; Mary C., born May 5, 1897, who is engaged in teaching school at the Liberty school house near her home; Esther F., born July 2, 1899, a student in the Warrensburg High School; Albert H., born June 10, 1901, a student in the Warrensburg High School; James Sherman, born July 29, 1903; Louis Quentin, born September 27, 1905; Ada Cava, born September 23, 1907; Hadley, born December 29, 1909; Beulah Ailene, born March 12, 1912; and Rodney Bee, born March 27, 1914, all at home with their parents. Mr. Fitch possesses some very excellent ideas about farm management which he is successfully putting in operation on his place. He is constantly at work making substantial improvements and has made an enviable name for himself among the best stockmen of this part of Missouri. The Fitch family is one of the most valued and re- spected families in Johnson county. Mrs. Adah (Holderman) Fitch was born October 22, 1873 in Bates county, Missouri, a daughter of Gilderoy and Jane (Francis) Holderman. Gilderoy Holderman was born in Wyandotte county, Ohio, January 23, 1833, a son of Jacob Holderman, of German descent, born in Pennsylvania. Gilderoy Holderman came to Missouri and settled in Bates county in 1857. He died in the state of Washington October 28, 1883, where he had gone in 1881; was a Union veteran and was wounded in battle. Jane (Francis) Holderman, born near Joliet, Illinois, February 16, 1838, a daughter of Thomas B. and Hannah Francis, natives of Ireland and Holland, respectively. The Francis family came to Bates county in 1856. Governor David R. Francis is a relative of Mrs. Fitch. Mrs. Holderman died February 14, 1890. There were ten Holderman children, three living: Mrs. Louisa J. Danielson, Waitsburg, Washington; Mrs. Fitch; and Arthur B., Portland, Oregon. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================