My Genealogy Hound

Fred L. Fisher, chief engineer of the Flint Division of the Detroit United Electric Railway, stationed at the Rochester power house at Rochester, Michigan, was born at Ligonier, Noble County, Indiana, December 7, 1858, and is a son of Josiah and Louisa (Tracy) Fisher.

The Fisher family is of English extraction and the founders of the American branch came here prior to the Revolutionary War. Many distinguished members reside in New England, where in the family of an uncle is still preserved the uniform that one patriot wore in the Continental Army.

Josiah Fisher, the father of our subject, was born in New England and there learned the trade of machinist. In young manhood he migrated to Michigan, settling at Constantine, St. Joseph County, where he married and remained until he purchased a saw and grist mill at Ligonier, Indiana. There he met with the accident, which caused his death, September 30, 1861, at the age of 43 years, leaving a family of five children, as follows: Eliza, wife of L. H. Bassett, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Frank W., of Chicago; Albert, of Denver, Colorado; Fred L., and A. J., of Chicago. After the death of Mr. Fisher, his widow married John C. Richmond, and they had born to them one child, — Minnie V. (Keene). They removed to Kansas where Mr. Richmond built the first frame house at Ottawa. After living there one year, they returned to Michigan, settling at Three Rivers, and there Mr. Richmond died. Her third husband, John Huffman, died in 1900; she is still a resident of Constantine, She was born in Cayuga County, New York, and is a daughter of Erastus and Louise (Arnold) Tracy, who came to Michigan in 1833, traveling to Detroit by boat, and to St. Joseph County by ox team. Mr. Tracy secured 160 acres of land at $1.25 an acre and made a good farm. He reared nine children to maturity, and died at the age of 77 years, being survived two years by his wife, who was 75 years old. Mrs. Huffman is one of the oldest pioneers of this State and still enjoys both physical and mental health. She is a cousin of former Governor Blair of Michigan.

Fred L. Fisher spent his boyhood at Three Rivers, Michigan, and there obtained his education. At the age of 16 he began an apprenticeship to the machinist’s trade and worked at it one year as journeyman after completing his three years of apprenticeship. He then became an engineer on the lake boats and thus passed two seasons, after which he returned to shop work at Three Rivers. Removing to Lansing, he found plenty of work and remained there 13 years, sometimes in the shops and sometimes in power houses. On July 27, 1901, he accepted his present very responsible position at Rochester, and his capacity and efficiency have been fully tested, resulting in complete confidence being established between himself, his employers and the traveling public.

On Christmas Day, 1880, Mr. Fisher was married to Eva Catherman, who is a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Seigler) Catherman, who removed as early settlers from Pennsylvania to Three Rivers, Michigan.

Our subject and wife have one child, Mabel. Mr. Fisher is a member of Lodge No. 33, F. & A. M., of Lansing. He is a highly respected citizen of Rochester and during his residence in the town has gained a reputation for his engineering skill and in the meantime has made many personal friends.