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1907 Past and Present Biographies

James Wiley Fitz

James Wiley Fitz, who has figured in both public and business circles for many years, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1841. His father was Henry Fitz, who was born November 14, 1808, in Pennsylvania, an agriculturist by profession, and when James Wiley was but a baby removed to Muskingum county, Ohio, where he operated a large farm. In 1853 he removed to Linn county, Iowa, where he bought a tract of land, which he operated until 1868, when he removed to New Jersey. Here he lived until 1883 when he came to Greene county, Iowa, making his home with his daughter Mary at Churdan until he passed away January 27, 1888. He was a hard working and industrious man and an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a steward. He was a whig in the early days and transferred his support to the republican party when it was organized, being elected to many township oflices on their ticket. Among his neighbors he had the reputation of being straightforward and honest in all his dealings. His wife, Jane (Lindsey) Fitz, was a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born in 1806, and passed away in 1867, at the age of sixty-one years. These worthy people were the parents of seven children: Elizabeth D., a resident of Minnesota and the widow of John Smyth, an agriculturist and county surveyor, who in his early days was a most successful teacher; Mary, the wife of Abram R. McRoberts, a retired farmer at Churdan; John, a carpenter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Nancy J., the widow of Henry D. Rogers, of Churdan; James W., the subject of this sketch; Martha A., who is the widow of Edward N. Wilson and is making her home in Glidden, Iowa; and Samuel C., the youngest, who died at the age of two and one-half years.

James Wiley Fitz was reared upon his father’s farm and enjoyedthe advantages of the district schools during the winter terms, giving his assistance in the fields during the summer months. When his father came to Greene county he took a half interest in the land which the elder Mr. Fitz purchased in Bristol township and just prior to his father’s death he bought the entire tract from him. Being early versed in the occupation of agriculture and having his own young enthusiasm and interest in his task, he became a most successful farmer and pursued this line of work until 1873. Ever since he attained his majority he has been actively interested in political affairs and was so well known among a large constituency and so highly thought of that he was elected to the office of recorder for Greene county in 1872 and took the office in 1873. He removed to Jefferson to take up his duties in this oflice.

When the war of the Rebellion broke out Mr. Fitz’s patriotism was so aroused that he enlisted at Mount Vernon, Iowa, in Company A, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. This was October 18, 1861, and he served until July 21,
1865, when he was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. He was a brave soldier, fighting in the front ranks at all times, and was honored with the rank of second lieutenant in his company, receiving his commission at Louisville,
Kentucky. He took an active part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He was in the grand review at Washington, and although he received a flesh wound at
Corinth, October 3, 1862, he would never give up his active duties in the army.

From the beginning of his business career Mr. Fitz was a most successful financier, a quick and accurate accountant. For two years after his first retirement from office he was in the abstract office of Head & Jay, but because of the talents of which we have just spoken he became assistant cashier of the City Bank, a position which he held for four years. He then entered the county treasurer’s oflice for a like period, being engaged subsequently in the Greene County Bank, where he was cashier for five years. So efliciently had he filled public offices that his party thought they could secure no one more capable to run for county treasurer, and he was re-elected to that position, serving for four years. He then bought out the abstract books and since 1901 has been engaged in that business, having added the interest of insurance to his other duties.

In March, 1866, Mr. Fitz was united in wedlock to Ann Elizabeth LaGore, a native of Indiana, where she was born in 1844. She is a daughter of John and Ellen (Yuel) LaGore, the father being of French extraction and the mothers native of Glasgow, Scotland. Mr. LaGore was a pioneer farmer of Linn county, Iowa, a much respected gentleman. Unto Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Fitz have been born four children: Leone L., who is a transfer agent for the Coronado Railroad Company in Clifton, Arizona, and is the father of two children; Ellen F., the wife of Park L. Cockerill, engaged in the real-estate business in Jefferson; Minnie B., the wife of John E. Miller, a shoe merchant of this place; and Irma, who is at home.

For many years Mr. Fitz has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, taking a very active interest in its work and doing all in his power for its progress and upbuilding. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been post commander of the George H. Thomas post, No. 23. He votes with the republican party, having cast his first vote for Lincoln while he was in the army. His election and re-election to public oflices of trust is proof suflicient of the high esteem in which he is held, and he is as true to-day to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the starry banner of the nation on the battle-fields. His career has ever been such as to merit the trust and confidence not only of the political world, but of the business world, and his devotion to the public good is unquestioned because it arises from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellowmen. For six years he was a most efficient member of the council and has also been a member of the board of education, serving at present as its secretary.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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