James Cornelius Chitty (1862-1908)

CHITTY, MURPHEY, ROE, FRY, BROWN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/28/2017 at 22:14:33

From Nevada Representative March 9, 1908

OBITUARY

DEATH OF J. C. CHITTY

James C. Chitty, one of the best and most favorably known farmers of Richland township, and living in the vicinity of Johnson's Grove, died at his home there very suddenly about 1:15 on Saturday morning, presumably of apoplexy. he had been at Fernald during the day Friday and at Nevada the day before, and on both occassions he appeared to be in his usual good health. All there was of his illness was the he wakened Mrs. Chitty during the night by his heavy breathing, and when he failed to answer her she lighted a lamp. About that time he died. Death came to him in the sleep, and it was over in almost a moment. Such a death is a fearful shock to family and friends; but it is the manner of death that most persons would choose for themselves if they had the choice.

Mr. Chitty was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, March 16, 1862, and died as stated near Nevada Iowa, March 1 1908, aged 45 years, 11 months and 20 days. He came with his parents to Story county in the spring of 1877, and they lived for year at Colo but moved the next spring to Johnson's Grove. He joined the Methodist church when about twenty years of age, but after a few years transferred his membership to the Lutheran church. He was married in the summer of 1862 to Miss Belle Murphey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Murphey of the same neighborhood. They made their home with her parents until her parents had both passed away Mr. Murphey in 1901 and then continued to live on the same farm, which had thus been their home for more than twenty-five years. He had six children of whom one died in infancy and the other five survive, with their mother as follows: Fred, who is grown up and married, Henry aged 17, Lester 16, Roy 10 and Ruby 7. He also leaves a brother and three sisters, J. M. Chitty and Mesdames Will Roe and G. M. Fry of Fernald or vicinity and Mrs. Brown of Page.

Mr. Chitty a a most exemplary citizen, faithful to all his obligations in life, successful as a farmer, zealous in church work and active in whatever was for the good of his community. He held township offices for the most of the time after he was twenty-one, he was earnestly in favor of the recent school consolidation in Richland township and he was elected one of the first school directors of the district. he is a man whose loss is to be mourned to his family and the whole community.

From Nevada Representative March 11, 1908

The funeral of the late Jas. C. Chitty was very largely attended Monday at the Lutheran church at Fernald. About twenty people went up on the train from Nevada and 97 teams followed the body to the grave. The funeral was conducted by Rev. A. B. Shrader of Kansas City, who returned for that purpose to the scene of his former pastorate, remaining, however, for the day only.