Robert Fisher

History of Montana,by Joaquin Miller, 1894
USGENWEB Montana Archives
May be copied for non-profit purposes.

Robert Fisher, Registrar of the Land Office at Missoula is 
ranked with the worthy pioneers of this state.

Robert Fisher was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 
October 10, 1827, his forefathers having long resided in 
that city. His remote ancestors were English people. 
Richard Fisher, his father, was born in Philadelphia 
in 1795, was twice married, his second wife, nee 
Margaret Johnston, the mother of our subject, being 
also a native of Philadelphia, she being of Irish 
descent. He was a successful florist, had made several 
trips to England in 
connection with his business and at the age of forty-
five, being in ill health and hoping that a sea voyage 
and change of climate would be of benefit to him, he 
started again for England. He was destined, however, 
never to reach that country. Being taken severely ill 
on board the vessel, he died and was buried in the 
great deep. He left a widow and six children, two of 
the latter being by his first wife. The mother of our 
subject died in her forty-second year.

Robert Fisher was reared in his native city, receiving his 
education in her public schools. Upon leaving school he 
accepted a clerkship in the mercantile house of Levick & 
Jenkins, with whom he remained six years. Then we went 
South, and until 1852 was in Nashville, Tennessee. In 
March 1852 he sailed for California, making the voyage
by way of the isthmus of Panama and on board the Golden 
Gate steamed into the port of San Francisco on the 22nd 
of May. The attraction which led im to California at 
that time was the reputed wealth of her gold mines, 
and upon landing at San Francisco he at once directed 
his course toward the mines. At Downieville he had his 
first experience in mining, afterward he was at El Dorado 
and Hangtown and for eight years he continued his mining 
operations with unabated zeal. During that time he met 
with all the privations and varied experiences of a 
California miner--sometimes short of "grub" and at 
other times being rich. The largest nugget he found 
was near Cold Springs. At that place he and two other 
took out $324 in one day.

In 1860 Mr. Fisher went to Carson City Nevada where he 
as engaged in merchandising six years. Then he sold out 
his business and came to Summit, Madison County, Montana 
and after a brief experience in the mines at that place 
he came to Helena and purchased a claim in Grizzly Gulch. 
In the fall of 1866 he removed to Springville, Jefferson 
County, where he pre-empted a farm and where he was 
engaged in mining and also carried on a livery business. 

He remained there until 1881 and during that time made 
several valuable investments. In company with two others 
he was the owner of the Iron Age Mine which they sold for 
$30,000. In 1881 accompanied by his family, Mr. Fishermade 
a trip to the Atlantic States and upon his return West he 
located at Santa Fe, New Mexico where he was engaged in 
the ice business. His wife was at that time, in poor 
health and it was on her account that he went to New 
Mexico. On her recovery they returned to their home 
in Jefferson County Montana and continued to reside 
there until 1891when President Harrison appointed Mr. 
Fisher Registrar of the Land Office.

Mr. Fisher was married April 6, 1854 in Placerville 
California, to Mrs. Nannie J. Egleston, a native of 
Virginia, the widow of George Egleston and the daughter 
of Peter Butler. Mrs. Fisher had three children by her 
first husband,all of whom are deceased, and she and Mr.
 Fisher have had four children, three having died in 
infancy. Their only 
surviving child, Annie Vestus is the wife of George 
Hansinger.

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