Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-19
The Late John Fir.

There died in our midst o short time
since o man of no ordinary character, aud
one whose lite was made remarkable by
the stirring events OF the present century,
which is drawing to a close. and as one OK
those of q past noble generation who arc
preserve and record tho events IN the liyes
of such rs subjects of history aud emula-
ton to the rising generation.
Mr.. JOHN FIrz was born ut pleasant
Valley" October 20, 1908, and was q
few months over 10 wears of age at his
death. February l6. 1895. His grandfather,
for whom he was named, was born, lived,
and died upon the top of "Fitz's Noun.
tain" now q part of the Glover Fields"
estate. and his tombstone still marks his
grave with this inscription up 1t:
"Come all you that passeth by
As you are now, 30 ouce WAS
As 1 am now soou You will b.,
Prepare, O man Ito follow me-"
"Bo-n i5Al.
Died 1894
His grandfather lived only 81 years. bus
his grandmother lived TO tho good old ago
of 80 wears. IL Is told Of her that she kept
her coffin and tombstone ready prepared
for q number OF years in an upper room or
her house, and would shout tor joy at tho
sight of it. Mr.. fitz first attended school
at an "old-feld school-house" near
litdStub NtlitNs nuttO AAt Ifto'hh Sst's
- V~andegritt. of Charlottesville. and
many of the old residents attended.
Mr.. Fitz entered business rs n merchant
in early life, in which no conti1ued tina
greater part OF his life, FIRST AS 4 clerk TO
Mr.. John BOYD. at Bovd's Tavern. then at
Everettsyille, afterwards moving 10 Buck
ingham county. and also lie bust
ness in the counties Of Monroe, Rock
bridge, and Charlotte. He was a young
boy during the war Of 1872. and
was present. at Boyd's Tavern when
Mr. jefferson net General Lafayette
there when on als visit TO this country,
and saw them embrace, and then con-
tinue their triumphal march to Monticello.
followed by O long procession OF citizens.
Gideon Fitz, his uncle, was appointed by
Mr. jefferson as one Of the government
surveyors IN the West. locating In MIssis.
sippi, where he lived and died. There
was another member of tue family named
William ID. Fitch, who for many years
kept q tavern In Charlottesville. Mr. JEFF
ferson always old This gentleman that his
name was not Fitch but Fitz, for he had
! Just been to Europe and knew the original
Scotch family name was fitz, but the
doughty old gentleman would not change
| it and persisted IN calling himself Fitch.
| Mr.. John Fitz never held n public
Office beyond that Of postmaster. though
he was highly educated "a good
b~ook-keeper and accountant. and hand
! some pe~nmsnship. which was re
| tanned 10 the last. lie was most nctivs IN
| every good work; be was largely instru-
| mental in building one Of the churches in
Buckingham, and though never connected
with any denomination vet his earnest
Christian lite made 1t impossible 70 believe
| that he was not OF tho church.. In 1885 no
married o daughter OF the Rev. WILDER
Huckstep. so noted in the past for his
Jealous ministry In the Baptist Church.
During the latter part Of his life be has
lived at the old homestead. Aspen HILL"
whore he was buried beside bis ancestors.
He leaves O widow, now In her 10th year
two sons-Captain Edgar Fitz. OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio railway, and Mr..
| Marcellus Fitz. OF West Virginia; four
dauehters-Mrs. Eta Boiling. of Gait
| fornla; Mrs. Eliza Williams, Of West W.
GINA; Miss Emma F;tz. now Of California,
| and Mrs. Annie Wheeler. of Albemsrle.
Respected. loved. and honored by all,
without or enemy IN the world, with an
! humble, contepted spint. doing good as
LAID in hrs power. and leaving q bright ex-
ample and heritage to bis children, family,
and friends, we can truly say that tbe
world has been better Tor such a life and
mourns Its loss. l. =. d.
KEswIcx, Va. March 7, 1898.