John W. Fitch
Capt. John W. Fitch
Sept. 23, 1832
Sept. 10, 1910
"His memory is blessed"
FATHER
Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales
1. News article, 1907
CAPT. JOHN FITCH'S INJURIES
A letter received by the Caller from San Antonio states that Mr. John Fitch, who recently met with a painful accident, is still seriously ill. The letter says: "Mr. Fitch and his men were at work pulling stumps with the stump puller, when the horse made a lounge forward and the hook on the double tree broke, letting the sweep fly back. It struck Mr. Fitch on the right leg, which was broken below the joint. He was also bruised on several other parts of the body, including his head and right arm." The many friends of the old gentleman in Corpus Christi hope that he will fully recover within a very short time.
Source: Corpus Christi Weekly Caller, April 5, 1907, p. 5, col. 6
Research by: Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission
2. Obituary
CAPT. JOHN W. FITCH DIES
Death Claims Veteran at His Ranch Near Boerne
Special Telegram to The Express
Boerne, Tex., Sept. 11 – Capt. John Wesley Fitch died Saturday at 2:30 o'clock p.m. on his ranch near Boerne.
Mr. Fitch was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., September 23, 1832, and came to Texas in February 1850, where he resided up to his death. He resided in Bee County for several years and was elected first Sheriff of that county, moving from there to Nueces County, where he engaged in ranching. He was for several years in the employ of Richard King and Miflin Kenedy. He was a captain in the Confederate Army under Col. John S. Ford, and was also in the ranger services under Capt. Bill Tobin. He did considerable fighting in the Cortina expedition down on the Rio Grande.
In 1877 Captain Fitch settled on his ranch, known as the Ebenite ranch, in Nueces County. He was County Commissioner and justice of the peace in Nueces County for Twenty years. In December 1899, he sold his ranch and moved to San Antonio, where he was engaged in active business up to September 1905, when he moved to Boerne.
On January 1, 1868, he married Miss Avaline Byington of Banquete. To their union were born nine children. Captain Fitch is survived by his wife and seven children. Mrs. C. W. Carroll, Mrs. H. C. Wagner, Jr. J. T. Morgan, Miss Josephine Fitch, Stanley W. Fitch, Oliver W. Fitch and John W. Fitch Jr. He also leaves relatives in Pittsburgh, Pa.
The funeral will be held at Corpus Christi Tuesday afternoon
Source: San Antonio Daily Express, September 12, 1910, p. 3, col. 2
CAPT. JOHN W. FITCH, A PIONEER, IS DEAD
Was First Sheriff of Been County, a Ranger and Served in Confederate Army
Boerne, Texas, Sept. 12 – Capt John Wesley Fitch passed away Saturday in his ranch near Boerne, Texas.
Capt. Fitch was born in Pittsburgh, September 23, 1832, and came to Texas in February 1850, where he resided up to his death. He resided in Bee county, Texas, for several years, and was elected first sheriff of that county, moving from there to Nueces county, where he engaged in ranching. He was for several years in the employ of Capt. Richard King and Capt. Miflin Kenedy. He was captain in the Confederate army under Col. John s. Ford and was also in the ranger service under Capt. Bill Tobin. He did considerable fighting in the Cortina expedition down the Rio Grande.
In 1877 Capt. Fitch settled on his ranch, known as the Evenito ranch in Nueces county. He was county commissioner and justice of the peace in Nueces county for twenty years. In December 1899, he sold his ranch and moved to San Antonio, where he was engaged in active business up to September 1905, when he moved to Boerne.
Capt. Fitch was a man of sterling qualities and great integrity, whose work was as good as his bond.
On January 1, 1868, he married Miss Avaline Byington of Banquete, Texas. To their union were born nine children. Capt. Fitch is survived by his widow and seven children—Mrs. C. W. Carroll, Mrs. H. C. Wagner, Jr. J. T. Morgan, Miss Josephine Fitch, Stanley W. Fitch, Oliver W. Fitch and John W. Fitch Jr. He also leaves relatives in Pittsburgh, Pa. to mourn his loss.
The funeral will be held at Corpus Christi, Texas, from the Beynon undertaking parlors, Tuesday afternoon, September 13.
Source: San Antonio Light & Gazette, p. 6, col. 5
Marriage record: J. W. Fitch and Avaline Byington married Dec. 17, 1867 in Nueces County, Texas Vol. C page 353
Their two children who did not survive to adulthood, Olive Aurelia and Samuel Fitch are buried in Old Bayview with their parents.
Research by: Msgr. Michael A. Howell
Transcription by: Geraldine D. McGloin, Nueces County Historical Commission