Judge John A. Pitzer (1876)

PITZER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 5/11/2006 at 16:42:20

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, May 25, 1876
Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH

An Old and Esteemed Citizen Called Home

Last Friday morning Judge John A. Pitzer ate his breakfast, seeming to be in the enjoyment of good health. He left his residence at about half past seven, with a pleasant word and a smiling face; and started to wheel to the Express office a small box which contained articles he was shipping to his daughter, Miss Clara, at Jacksonville, Illinois. Arriving in front of the store of Boyd & Kent he stopped and complained of feeling very tired. A chair was offered to him, but he declined it and sat on a box beside the door leaning against a barrel which stood behind. He was noticed to drop his head forward and assistance was immediately extended. Dr. Cherry, who stood a half block away, was called, but after the Doctor reached him which was not a minute from the time he first sat down, the Judge gave one gasp and was dead. He evidently died from some sudden stoppage of circulation and not of apoplexy.

The Judge was sixty-three years of age. He was buried Sunday-an immense concourse attending the funeral, which was conducted by the Masonic and Odd Fellow Fraternities.

Judge Pitzer was one of the first settlers of Madison county, coming here from Jefferson county. As a government surveyor he sectionized one half of the county. Settling in the place he became a merchant and amassed considerable money. He was enterprising and public spirited, and many of our earliest best buildings were erected by him. He was always large hearted and charitable, and many a poor man has had cause to be grateful to him. In 1854 or 5 he was elected County Judge of the county and held the office for a large number of years. Later in his life he was elected Treasurer of the county. For the last few years he has been less prominent in public affairs.

This sudden death was a terrible blow to his wife and children. They were a most affectionate family and all their interests seemed to center in each other. How great that blow was coming as it did in an instant of time, with no warning, no one can describe. Not only was it so to the immediate friends, but to the entire community, by whom the deceased was held in the highest regard. The public has experienced a great loss. We can but tender to all the sorrowing ones our condolence. Time will soften the sorrow, but never efface the warm and greatful remembrance with which his memory will be cherished.
________________________

May 25, 1876
Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Page 2

Judge Pitzer

The following complimentary note of Judge Pitzer we find in a communication to the Des Moines REGISTER announcing his sudden decease.

His store was the first established in Winterset, and he is the only one of the early merchants that continued with bravery through all the political and financial changes of the county to the present time. Judge Pitzer was three times elected County Judge, was appointed paymaster in the army during the war, and six years ago he was elected County Treasurer. He was undoubtedly the most prominent man in this county, and no man was so highly esteemed and had so many friends as he. During the panic of 1856-57 his establishment was really a commissary of subsistence. He gave away, during those dark and trying times over 500 sacks of flour, and every destitute family in the county was supplied by this noble-hearted man with the necessaries of life without even the shadow of a hope of anything in return.
________________________

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, May 25, 1876
Page 6

An immense concourse attended the funeral of Judge Pitzer—great numbers coming in from the country. Had the procession been in line at any time it would have reached near a mile in length. Rev. Mr. Nash, of Des Moines, preached the funeral sermon. The Fraternity exercises at the grave were impressive.
________________________

Fairfield Ledger
Fairfield, Iowa
Thursday, May 25, 1876
Page 3, Column 7

Death of John A. PITZER in Winterset, this state, on the 19th inst.. Judge PITZER was born in Virginia in 1813 and was one of the early settlers of Jefferson County, being the first County Clerk elected in the county. He removed to Winterset in 1849.....
________________________

Dubuque Daily Times
Dubuque, Iowa
Tuesday, May 23, 1876
Page: 2

John A. Pitgers, one of the oldest settlors of Madison County, fell dead in the streets of Winterset on Friday. The cause is supposed to be apoplexy. Judge Pitger was the first merchant of that place, and was of great prominence, publically and socially.
________________________

Biography: http://www.iagenweb.org/boards/madison/biographies/index.cgi?review=57657

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen