Pitkin, Frederick Walker (1837-1886) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Name: Pitkin, Frederick Walker (1837-1886)

Historical Note: Frederick Walker Pitkin was born in Manchester, Connecticut on August 31, 1837. Pitkin attended college at Wesleyan University. He went off to Albany Law School to earn his law degree in 1859. After graduation he journeyed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and launched his law career at the law firm of Palmer, Hooker, and Pitkin. Pitkin became ill and resigned from the law firm to travel to Europe to find a cure. After his health stabilized, Pitkin moved to Colorado. While in Colorado he returned to practicing law and invested in mining. In 1879 Pitkin became Governor of Colorado and won a second term in 1881. During his time in office, he dealt in in the railway dispute between the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the Denver & Rio Grande Companies, uprising of the Ute Indians at the Battle of Milk Creek; and the Leadville Strike. Pitkin attempted to run for the U.S. Senate, but was unsuccessful. After his tenure was over he returned to his law practice. Frederick Walker Pitkin passed away on December 18, 1886 in Pueblo, Colorado.

Records or Manuscript Collections Created by Pitkin, Frederick Walker