Husband of Melvina Harriet Schroeder. Son of Adam Fight and Catherine Stockinger

OBITUARY

THE CHARITON HERALD-PATRIOT
Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, June 9, 1927

REV. ADAM J. FIGHT

Adam J. Fight, son of Adam and Catherine Fight, was born in Brookville, Indiana, January 5, 1841. At an early date he came to Iowa and settled near what was then known as Little Chicago, near Newbern, in Marion county, Iowa. He then began blacksmithing at which trade he worked at intervals throughout his lifetime. It was here that he became acquainted with Miss Harriet Melvina Schroeder, to whom he was married on August 15, 1861. Shortly afterward he moved to Derby where he followed his trade of blacksmithing.

A great change came to his life when he was converted, which occurred under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Clark, and he united with the United Brethren church. This was in 1863. Soon after this he was licensed to preach at the Gartin school house, by the Rev. Mr. De Moss. In the fall of the same year he attended the annual conference of the United Brethren church which met in Columbia City, where he was received as a conference probationer. In later years he was ordained an elder of the church.

His ministry was largely of the pioneer type, serving in order Lineville, Victor, Westfield, Deep River, Lineville the second time, Newbern and Washington. At this point he became dissatisfied with the United Brethren church on account of the Secrecy Controversy, and left the church, uniting with the Christian Union church. While in this connection he served Whitebreast, Woodland, Bethel and Lucas.

For a period of about sixteen years he was busy in his shop in Derby doing general blacksmithing and building wagons and buggys; but always ready to help need country churches on Sundays. About this time he re-united with the United Brethren church, and again gave himself to the active pastorate. He served Tuskeego, Davis City and Norwood, where he completely rebuilt the church, and again became pastor at Newbern, where he closed his active ministry.

The Rev. Mr. Fight was a forceful and able speaker, deliberate, thoughtful and convincing in his presentation of the Gospel, and with the aid of his faithful wife, he was instrumental in leading hundreds of souls to Christ. Through his ministry many churches were founded, revived and brought to a state of influence and power in their communities. Surely his ministry was a rich and fruitful one.

From his Newbern pastorate he went back to his shop and continues at his trade until failing health compelled him to relinquish it. He was the father of ten children, three of whom preceded him to the heavenly home. These were U. S. Grant, Tommie and William. The first two died in early childhood and the last in the summer of 1926.

He is survived by the companion of all his toil through sixty-six years, who, in feeble health, mourns his departure, and by the following children: John, of Milo; Delos, of Derby; Mrs. Viola Van Dyke, of Dunlap; Mrs. Mattie Turner, of Derby; Mrs. Nannie Crooks, of Lacona; Mrs. Lura Ashby and Mrs. Flora Bobenhouse, of Chariton; two brothers, John, of Milo and Fred, of Andrews, Nebraska; two half-sisters, Mrs. June Triss, of Chicago, and Mrs. Anna Conner, of Oakland, California.

He fought a good fight and lived to a great purpose in the kingdom of God. As one of God's noblemen he has received his crown.

Services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church at Derby, Iowa, on Monday, June 6, at 2 p.m. The entire community attended the services, the places of business being closed for the occasion in respect for the deceased. The Rev. E. W. Curtis, former pastor of the United Brethren church in Chariton, but now of Des Moines, and a former friend of the deceased, delivered the sermon. The pall bearers were selected from the grandsons.

The remains of the deceased, at the close of the services, were tenderly laid away in the Derby cemetery.

Obituary courtesy of Charles M. Wright