Joseph Young Stitt
The history of this section of the Buckeye state is not an ancient one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness not much more than a century ago and reaching its magnitude of today without other aids than those of continued industry. Joseph Y. Stitt, to a short sketch of whose career the reader's attention is now directed, is directly descended from one of the earliest pioneers of this section and the family has, therefore, been largely instrumental in speedily bringing about the satisfactory conditions of community life which early obtained here; while the immediate subject of this sketch fills a place of trust and responsibility, and the manner in which he is esteemed by his fellow citizens clearly indicates how satisfactory indeed is the service he renders.
Joseph Y. Stitt, the popular pharmacist of Bloomingburg. Fayette county, Ohio, was born on June 8. 1860, on a farm near the town where he now resides. He is a son of John and Eliza (Holland) Stitt. the former of whom was the son of Luke and Jane (Young) Stitt. Luke was a native of the Emerald Isle, born in county Down. When quite a young man he emigrated to the United States in search of greater opportunities, and finally located in this state, being one of the first settlers in this section. He obtained government land, all of which was in a primitive state, and by his own unaided efforts reclaimed the broad and smiling acres from the grasp of the wilderness. This necessitated many years of hard work, with the limitations and privations of the early settlers, but he lived to see conditions greatly changed and his children enjoying opportunities undreamed of in his young manhood. His son John, who was the father of the immediate subject, was one of the first white children born within the bounds of this county.
The subject was one of a family of six children, being the fifth child in order of birth. Eleanor J., the oldest of the family, is dead, as is also John W., the fourth child. James H. resides at Jamestown, this state, and Charles L., who married Hattie Van Pelt, now deceased. They have one child. Georgia. Hugh, the voungest of the family, makes his home in Elgin. Illinois. During his earlier years, the subject attended the school of Bloomingburg and. when older, went to Lebanon, Ohio, where he took the normal course of training. He labored earnestly to fit himself for the profession of teaching and succeeded well in his undertaking. For six years he was engaged in teaching and also operated a farm at the same time. However, he was not thoroughly satisfied with the life of an instructor of youth and began thinking seriously of entering the retail drug business. He secured a position in a drug store, and has been engaged in that line ever since.
In August. 1882, Mr. Stitt was united in holy matrimony with Mattie Morris, daughter of Robert and Ellen (Miller) Morris, whose death occurred on Mav 14. 1906. Mrs. Stitt was a woman who had a great many warm friends who well knew her excellent qualities. She was a devoted wife and mother and a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. She was laid to rest in the Bloomingburg cemetery and the influence of her life still goes on through the lives of her husband and children. She was the mother of two children. Howard, a practicing physician located at Washington C. H., whose wife is Margaret McClure, and Ursel G.. who remains at home with the father. Mr. Stitt is an earnest member of the Presbyterian church and his fraternal affiliations are with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons and the Knights of Pythias and in the work of these local organizations he takes a commendable interest.
Mr. Stitt's entire life has been passed in this locality, where he is known and respected by all, and since engaging in his present business he has enjoyed a liberal and constantly growing patronage. He carries a well selected stock with all accessories usually found in such a store and because of his correct business methods, uniform courtesy to his patrons and his evident desire to justify the confidence placed in him. he has long enjoyed his full share of the business in this line. He understands thoroughly every detail of his business and intelligently supplies the needs of his patrons. Mr. Stitt is accounted among the best citizens of this locality, being ever desirous of contributing his share toward the moral, social and material growth of the comnuinity.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)