James Thomas Pitts
James Thomas Pitts was born April 4, 1846, in Greene Township, Adams County, Ohio. His father was James Pitts, a native of Lewis County, Kentucky. His mother was Keziah Tucker, a native of Ohio. He was the youngest of four children. He was reared on a farm, and attended the District school. His father died when he was but ten years of age and he was thrown on his own resources. As a youth, he worked on a farm and drove teams for farmers in Scioto and Adams Counties in the vicinity of Buena Vista.
When the war broke out, he was fifteen years of age, but he was wild to go in. He was too young, but he gave his age as sixteen, and was accepted. He served until September 11, 1864, when he was discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. He left much broken in health, and on reaching home had pneumonia, typhoid, and remittent fever successively, and was given up to die. He ran away from his doctor as soon as he was able to travel, and on February 17, 1865, he re-enlisted in Company C of the 81st O. V. I., his former regiment, and was made company wagoner. He served until July 13, 1865, when he was mustered out, as the war was over. He came home a second time much broken in health, and it took him some time to regain his strength. As soon as he was able, he went to teaming.
On May 29, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary A. Young, daughter of Thomas Young, of Greene Township, Adams County. He and his wife went to housekeeping in Buena Vista, and resided there a year. Mr. Pitts was born a trader, and moved to near Rome, Adams County, where he resided for two years, and then moved back to Buena Vista and engaged in teaming and farming. He bought the Flagg farm near Buena Vista, and lived on it until 1878, when he sold it to William J. Flagg.
He then bought the Lorey Adams farm, consisting of one hundred and seventy acres, two miles north of Rome, on the Mineral Springs road, and resided there until 1882, when he sold it and purchased the Solomon B. McCall farm near Buena Vista. He resided there until 1886, when he sold it to Richard Young and bought two farms from Judge Ousler, in Greene Township, in Adams County. He moved on to the one where Judge Ousler had had his residence, and residied there until February, 1890, when he traded his farms for lots in the city of Portsmouth and moved there. He purchased a home at 1439 Grandview Avenue, on Lawson Heights, and resides there at the present time.
He enjoys the distinction of being almost the only man who went into the army at the age of fifteen, and came out at the age of nineteen, in July, 1865, having served nearly four years. He has two children: Elya Eleanor, former wife of Henry Kept, who has a daughter Myrtie, aged six years; and William, his son, aged fifteen years.
Mr. Pitts has always maintained the most amicable relations with all his neighbors wherever he has dwelt, and could go back and live pleasantly at any of his former homes. He is of an agreeable and obliging disposition, but he cannot refuse a trade when it is offered; and yet, with all his trading, he has made and saved money; and he is an exception to the rolling stone adage, if moss therein means money. In his political faith, he is a Democrat, but he has never sought or held office, nor has it sought him. He is a teamster by occupation, and follows it diligently. He is not a member of any church, but believes in the religion of humanity. He tries to meet every duty in life with a cheerful disposition, and so far has succeeded. He hopes to continue his bravery of spirit till he shall be called hence.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900