Ashbel Parmelee Fitch

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Ashbel Parmelee Fitch (b in Moores, New York on October 8, 1848, d in New York City on May 4, 1904) was a prominent lawyer, financier and member of the U.S. House of Representatives. William Steinway encountered Fitch at numerous business, legal and social events, including the Liederkranz, a German singing society.

After attending Williston Seminary, a prep school in East Hampton, Massachusetts, Fitch spent several years at the German universities of Jena and Berlin. Upon returning to the United States, he took a course at Columbia University Law School before being admitted to the New York State bar in 1869 at the age of 21. Although he was elected to the House of Representatives as a Republican in 1886, he disagreed with the high tariff policies of the Republicans and switched parties, being reelected in 1888 as a Democrat with the backing of Tammany Hall. He served four terms in Congress, from 1887 to 1893. Fitch appears to have had little contact with William Steinway until 1890. Upon retiring from Congress, he was elected Comptroller of New York City on the Tammany ticket and served in that position until 1897. As the city's comptroller, he served on the Rapid Transit Commission (RTC), which was responsible for planning a subway system. William was president of the RTC. Fitch also served on the boards of several financial institutions, and was president of the Trust Company of America in 1899. He encountered William at numerous business, legal and social events. Fitch was a member of the Liederkranz, a German singing society, in which William was an active member.

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Sources :

"Ashbel P. Fitch Dies Suddenly of Apoplexy," The New York Times, May 5, 1904, p. 9.
Fitch, Ashbel Parmelee, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, www,gpoaccess.gov.