The full biographical sketch as printed in 1922, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.
JOHN G. FITCH.
John G. Fitch, now deceased, was formerly one of the pioneers of Crystal Lake, and a man widely known and universally respected. He was born at Pawlet, Vt., August 19, 1809, a son of Daniel Fitch, born during the American Revolution at Stanford, Conn. John G. Fitch was married in Virginia, to Caroline Marlow, a native of Loudon County, Va., where Mr. Fitch was engaged in teaching, and where he remained for four years. He then returned to Vermont, and in 1839 came to Illinois, securing land that was located in Crystal Lake, then known as Nunda, from the government, and another farm in Algonquin Township. It was on the first farm that his wife died in 1854. After he was again married, Mr. Fitch went to his other farm, living there until he enlisted for service during the Civil War, in Company H, Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, which company was largely made up of McHenry County men. His period of service extended over three years, but eighteen months of it was spent in the invalid corps to which he was transferred after receiving an injury. Later he
.178 HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNT?
did service guarding government property in the North. After his honorable discharge he returned to Illinois, and lived on a farm in Livingston County, where he died April 1, 1883.
By his first marriage he had the following children who reached maturity: Mary Jane, who married Edward Barring, of Westfield, X. Y.. died on her seventy-third birthday; James II., who left MeHenry County in young manhood and went to Texas, where he died in 1880, aged forty years; Virginia, who is the widow of Charles H. Cronkhite, lives in Washington County, N. Y.; Marlow, who served in the One Hundred and Twelfth New York Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War for almost three years, *was discharged on account of disability from wounds received at the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., and returned to the uncle with whom he was living at the outbreak of the war; Walter B., who is mentioned at length below; Daniel Edward, who left McHcnry County in boyhood, died when about forty-nine years of age in Arizona, where he was engaged in sheep herding; and Laura E., who lives with her brother, Walter B.
Walter B. Fitch was born April 3, 1847, on the old homestead, one- half a mile north of Crystal Lake, and he has spent his life in this vicinity with the exception of his period of service in defense of his country during the Civil War. He enlisted for that conflict, in January, 1865, in Company K, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and saw duty in Tennessee, not being discharged until September, 1S65, following which he in company with his uncle, James W. Marlow, established a general store in the old town of Crystal Lake, this partner- ship being maintained for sixteen years, death severing these bonds, when Mr. Marlow passed away. For the subsequent eleven years Mr. Fitch continued the business, and then retired. During the over twenty-six years he was continuously in business, he built up a fine trade, and was recognized as one of the leading men of Crystal Lake. For four years he served as postmaster under the Harrison administra- tion; was village treasurer for twenty years and school treasurer, ami during the time he held the latter office, the main school building was erected. Mr. Fitch belongs to Nunda Post No. 226, G. A. R., and of Nunda Lodge, No. 169, A. F. & A. M., which he served as secretary for sixteen years. Considering the various relations he has maintained with the public, Mr. Fitch is about as well known a man as can be found in MeHenry County, and certainly no other man enjoys a greater or more deserved popularity, for he has measured up to the highest standards in every particular.
HISTORY OF McHENRY COUNTY 579
Source: History of McHenry County, Illinois (1922. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.
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