Elisha Fitch came to Griggs County from Granite Falls, Minnesota in 1880. In one article he was referred to as a lumberjack. Mr. Fitch with John Pates took forty acres of school land (NE of Section 16-145-58) and the rest of their quarter Section on railroad land in hopes of holding it.

Mr. Christian Aarestad, who was leader of the Herigstad group from Granite Falls to Benson, Minnesota, had corresponded with Mr. Fitch and Mr. Pates and these men had recommended the land in Griggs County as being of very good quality.

In this connection Mr. Fitch and Mr. Pates were often mentioned by the large group from Stavanger, Norway that came to settle in Sverdrup Township in 1882.

Mr. Fitch stayed only a short time in Sverdrup Township and no more information is available about him.

Source: Griggs County History 1879 - 1976 Page 426