PITKIN, Erastus: Died 1910

PITKIN, SKINNER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/6/2016 at 18:28:00

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Thurs. 7 April 1910

DEATH OF ERASTUS PITKIN.
Former County Supervisor Passed Away.

Mr. Erastus Pitkin of Fayetteville, Ark., died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.C. Thorne, at Fairfield, Friday evening, Aril(sp) 1. Mr. Pitkin was born at Montpelier, Vt., April 30, 1824, being at the time of his death nearly 86 years of age.

Mr. Pitkin came to Van Buren county some time in teh'50's, settling at Vernon, where he conducted a general store. From Vernon he removed to Birmingham where he engaged in the same business and later added banking, and in connection with his brother-in-law, Mr. E.H. Skinner, conducted that business up to the time he went to Arkansas, some 25 years ago.

In his time, Mr. Pitkin was one of the leading citizens of this county. In 1870 Mr. Pitkin was elected a member of the board of supervisors. That was the last year of the old supervisor system of a member from each township and the beginning of the present system of a member from each township and the beginning of the present system. The candidates for supervisor on the republican ticket that year were E. Pitkin, Jas. Elerick and S.N. Norris; on the democratic ticket, Isaiah Meek, Onias Hale and Eliab Doud. Pitkin, Meek and Hale were elected. Pitkin drew the short term of one year, but was twice re-elected. Mr. Pitkin was the last survivor of all the supervisors who served with him, viz., Meek, Hale, Christy, Nixon, Wagner and Jacobs. Jas. Elerick is the only candidate for supervisor on either ticket that year now living, and Judge Alex. Brown is the only person now living who was a county officer when Mr. Pitkin became supervisor. The other county officers were, Joshua S. Sloan, treasurer; Ales. Brown, auditor; J.W. Latham, clerk; G.W. Sommerville, sheriff; Russell Johnston, recorder; Geo. B. Walker, superintendent. The senator was Jacob G. Vale and the representative Joel Brown and Geo N. Rosser.

Mr. Pitkin was one of the best supervisors ever on the board. He removed to Arkansas on account of his health and engaged in the timber business. Mrs. Pitkin died about three months ago. A son and two daughters survive him.

The remains were buried at Birmingham Sunday.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 229, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA