Son of John & Elizabeth (Dunn) Fitz

Obituary from Churdan Report, 8/28/1903:

J.M. Fitz Has Gone
Passed Away At His Home Tuesday Morning At 5:45
Was Nearly 79 Years old

James Madison Fitz, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, December 6th, 1824, was one of a family of nine brothers and three sisters, all of the family having passed hence except an older brother. The deceased was married to Elizabeth Evans, March 10th, 1857, from which union eleven children were born, all of which survive the father, and ten of them have been with him a part of the time during his last illness. Mr. Fitz remained a resident of his native county, following farming and later mercantile pursuits, until the spring of 1865, when he moved his family to Newton, Iowa, and became a resident of that place before there was a railroad through the state. He soon moved to a farm near Newton and continued his residence there until he came to Greene county in 1878, and was one of the first settlers in Churdan, where he has resided ever since. The subject of these lines died at his home in this city, at 5:45 a.m., August 25, 1903, after an illness of but a few weeks, at the good old age of 78 years, 11 months and 1 day. The family to survive the father are: Grandma Fitz, the wife, Messrs. M.W. Fitz, Manson; Joe Fitz, Creston; E.O. and H.E. Fitz, Callender; W.E. Fitz, Churdan; H.J. Fitz, Indian Territory; Mesdams, G.S. Phillips, St. Clare, Minnesota; Anna Coon, Manson; Irene Edwards, Callender; Ila Wheeler, Legyard; and Miss Alice Fitz, Callender. Uncle James Fitz was one of the first settlers in Churdan and was one of its oldest citizens. He was widly [sic] known, and to know him was to love and respect him for his many good and noble deeds. He had lived an honorable upright life for nearly 79 years, and no one could say a word against him. Mr. Fitz had been a constant sufferer for several weeks, and it was known that the end was not far distant, yet the announcement of his death Tuesday morning came as a great shock to the citizens of our little city. Everything that medical skill and kind friends could do, was done for the failing man, but to no avail, and the death angel called him home to Heaven at the above stated time. Mr. Fitz came to Churdan in an early day, when there was but little town here, and was ever active in the upbuilding to the town, doing what he could for its success. He following the carpenter trade, and up to within two years of his death, operated a carpenter and wagon repair shop. About two years ago, on account of poor health and declining years, he gave up work, and since that time has been taking life easy, in a happy home, with the respect of everybody. We believe that we voice the sentiment of the entire community, when we say, that Churdan has truly lost one of its most noble and highly respected citizens. We miss him, to be sure, but take consolation in the fact that he has gone to a better world, where there will be no pain or sorrow, and where there will be no parting. All the children except Joe, had been at the bedside of the loving father during his illness, and were in attendance at the funeral. The funeral services were held Thursday afternoon, at 2:00 o'clock, at the Baptist church, conducted by Rev. Robinson, of Jefferson. The remains were laid to rest in the Churdan cemetery. The sympathy of the community is extended to the heart broken wife and children during these sad hours.