Obituaries
F

Harrison FAIRBANKS

Harrison FAIRBANKS died at the home of his son on Bacon Street East, on Monday morning, from the results of a broken hip, received through a fall last week. Had he lived till today he would be just 81 years old, being born in New York state on April 16, 1816. When still a young man he came to Michigan, and sixteen years ago settled in Hillsdale. Before there were any steam cars running from here to Adrian Mr. Fairbanks drove the first horse car over the wooden rails with iron straps from Hillsdale to that place.
For the last four years he has been somewhat feeble and made his home with his sons, Chas. and [James] Ed. FAIRBANKS, both well known carpenters of this city.
He leaves one other son, Azel, who lives near Dowagiac this state.
The funeral was held from his late home on Tuesday, Rev. Dr. CALLEN officiating. The family feels very thankful to the many friends and neighbors who assisted and for the many tokens and expressions of sympathy, especially to the members of the Methodist Episcopal choir, who by their sweet singing softened the sadness of the last rites.

Submitter: Sue Bates

Infant FITZSIMMONS

Mr. and Mrs. Burr FITZSIMMONS mourn the death of their infant daughter, who died Sunday last. The little one was but four days old. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon.

Submitter: Nancy Nally

Andrew Madison Raplee FITZSIMMONS

A.M.R. FITZSIMMONS One of Reading's Oldest Residents Dead After a Long Life of Usefulness. (Photo at top of column)
In the death of Andrew Madison Raplee FITZSIMMONS, which occurred Sunday, Jan. 30, 1910, at the home of his son Henry, at Grand Rapids, Reading has lost one of its very earliest residents and a man who had a long and useful career. He was 82 years of age and Reading had been his home since early boyhood.
All through his life he was familiarly called "Lee" by his host of aquaintances and friends. He was born in Wayne county, New York, and in the spring of 1837, when he was a lad but nine years old, his father, George FITZSIMMONS, came to Michigan and purchased a tract of land just east of the present village of Reading, it then being all a dense wilderness, the settlers in this section at that early day being few and far between.
The elder FITZSIMMONS was accompanied by his son John, then a young man, and in June of the same year the mother with her six other children, set out for the new home in the then far west, making the journey from York [sic] state with ox teams, the route being through Canada, and much of the distance over a rough wagon trail cut through unbroken forests. It was a brave undertaking, but the pioneers of those days were heros and heroines in more ways than one.
"Lee" grew to manhood on his father's farm, helping to clear it and bearing his full share of the privations and hardships of pioneer life. He had much to do with the early development and advancement of Reading village, and was ever active in promoting its welfare. Back in the '60s he engaged in the dry goods business for a while and when the railroad came through in '69 he was Reading's first station agent.
Later he engaged in the grain business for several years, and as one of his aquaintances said to the writer yesterday, "He was a better man for the farmer than he was for himself." After quitting the grain business he engaged in the hardware business for several years. He was postmaster under President Cleveland's first term and his administration in that office was eminently satisfactory. For more than thirty years he was the local express agent.
In politics he was an ardent democrat and on different occasions was township supervisor, being acknowledged one of the best the town ever had. His wide aquaintance coupled with a wonderful memory made him a veritable encyclopedia concerning the history of Reading from its earliest days.
He was twice married and is survived by four children, Henry F., Mrs. Mattie JENKINS, Orlando K., and Henriette.
The past three years he had made his home with his son Henry, where he died after an illness of two weeks, though he had been in poor health the past two years. The remains were taken to Reading yesterday, being accompanied by his two daughters and his grandson, Wheeler FITZSIMMONS. Funeral services were held at the home of Mrs. B.S. KELLOGG; burial in Maplewood.

Submitter: Nancy Nally

Elizabeth DIXON KELLOGG FITZSIMMONS

Mrs. Elizabeth FITZSIMMONS, wife of A.M.R. FITZSIMMONS, died at her home in this village Tuesday, Sept. 11, aged 65 years.
Mrs. FITZSIMMONS was born in Livingston county, N.Y., and with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John DIXON, moved to Somerset, this county, in 1837. She has continuously lived in this county with the exception of two years she lived in Jackson.
She was married to Orlando KELLOGG at Hillsdale in 1857, by whom she bore one child, Brace S. KELLOGG, of this place. After the death of Mr. KELLOGG she married A.M.R. FITZSIMMONS in 1868, by whon [sic] she bore two children - Henrietta and a son who died in infancy.
She had been in declining health for several years, her last sickness being only two weeks duration. She leaves a husband, two children, Brace and Henrietta, also three step children - Henry, Mattie, and Orlando, who were greatly attached to her.
The funeral was held at her late home Thursday afternoon and her remains were interred at Maplewood Cemetery.

Submitter: Nancy Nally

Hon. George FITZSIMMONS

Hon. George FITZSIMMONS, the subject of this sketch, died in Reading, October 9th, 1870, at his residence, in the 78th year of his age, after a brief illness.
Mr. FITZSIMMONS was born in Elmira, New York, April 19th, 1793. His father settled in the wilderness of New York immediately after the Revolutionary War, in which he served for seven years. Mr. Geo. FITZSIMMONS entered the army of 1812 and served for three years, receiving a severe wound at the battle of Chippewa.
He moved to this State in the year 1837, and settled on the farm he resided on at the time of his death. He was one of the first settlers of the Township of Reading, and has always felt a deep interest in all improvements tending to develop the resources of his adopted Town.
He has held many important official positions in the township, and has once represented the County in the State Legislature. His funeral was attended by a large assemblage, many from this city and other parts of the County.

Submitter: Nancy Nally

George Roswell FITZSIMMONS

INJURIES PROVE FATAL.
Geo. R. FITZSIMMONS died at 4:15 Monday morning from the effects of his injury received at the chair factory on Feb. 19th, by being struck in the abdomen with a piece of board "shot" over a saw. On Thursday evening his physicians operated on him in hopes of saving his life. They found the impact of the stick had bursted one of his intestines. All that was possible to do was done for his relief but he gradually grew weaker until death relieved him.
George Roswell FITZSIMMONS was the oldest child of John and Charlotte MERRIMAN FITZSIMMONS and was born August 23, 1849, on the Fitzsimmons homestead a half mile east of this village. He received his higher education from Hillsdale college.
On Oct. 27, 1873, he was united in marriage to Clara Belle CASE and to them were born seven children - six daughters and a son - Mrs. Carrie OUTERBRIDGE, of Toledo, Mrs. Maude LAING, of Spokane, Wash., Mrs. Mabel VALENTINE, of Powers, Mich., Mrs. Grace MCELHENIE, of Camden, Mrs. Hazel SLOUGH, of Reading, Mrs. Eva BUSSARD, of Huntington, Ind., and Donald, who lived at home.
Mr. FITZSIMMONS retired from the farm in the spring of 1890 and moved to town where he purchased the E.W. CASE grocery which he conducted until he was appointed postmaster under the Cleveland administration. Since the expiration of his term in the post office he has followed carpentering and factory work, having been employed at the chair factory the past three years.
At the time of his death, March 3, 1913, he was 63 years, 6 months and 10 days of age. Of his family circle there remain his wife, seven children, seven grandchildren, a brother, John F., of Hillsdale, and a sister, Mrs. O.G. BURCH, of Reading.
All of the children except Mrs. LAING were present in his last hours and at the funeral which occurred from the home on Silver street at 2 o'clock this afternoon under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, Rev. F. A. TWINING preaching and burial was in Maplewood cemetery.
For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. FITZSIMMONS has been an active worker in the Masonic order, being a member of both the blue lodge and the Chapter in both of which he has been secretary for a number of years. He was also a member of the Mystic Worker lodge and has been its secretary for a number of years.

Submitter: Nancy Nally

John FITZSIMMONS

Death of John FITZSIMMONS
John FITZSIMMONS died at his home in Reading, Tuesday evening last, about 9 o'clock, of apoplexy.
Mr. FITZSIMMONS was stricken with the disease which terminated his life, on Thursday, Feb. 3. He had been about town in the morning, in usual good health and in the afternoon was stricken in an instant, from which he never recovered and from which he remained unconcious most of the time until his death.
Mr. FITZSIMMONS was born in Dundee, Yates county, state of New York, Sept. 6th, 1818; he wa the second child of a family of eleven children of George and Lydia FITZSIMMONS. He, with his father and family, came to Michigan and settled in the township of Reading, on the farm on which he died, April 19, 1837.
He was twice married; his first wife being Rachel, the daughter of Roswell MERRYMAN, by whom he had one child, who died young in years. Rachel died some 40 years ago.
His second wife was a sister of the first, by whom he had four children, three of whom survive him - Geo.R., John F. and a daughter Georgia, now Mrs. BIRCH.
Mr. F. has held various offices of trust, honor and responsibility in this community and county - all of which he has filled with credit to himself and those by whom he was honored.
He was buried from the family residence yesterday afternoon under the auspices of the Knights Templar and Masonic Fraternity, of which orders he had long been a member. Funeral address by Rev. G.M. ADAMS, of the Baptist church.
The remains were deposited in the new cemetery, followed by a large concourse of members of the order, friends and citizens. We hope to be able to give a better and more complete history of his life in the future.

Submitter: Nancy Nally
(Submitter's note: The "new cemetery" refers to Maplewood Cemetery, now called Maplelawn. The correct spelling of daughter Georgia's married name is BURCH.)

Mrs. John F. FITZSIMMONS

Mrs. FITZSIMMONS Dies Passed Away This Morning After Long Illness
Death came this morning to Mrs. John F. FITZSIMMONS at the family home in Hillsdale Township after an illness of about a year. Mrs. FITZSIMMONS [illegible] 80 years of age
Mrs. FITZSIMMONS was for years a prominent and enthusiastic worker in the Grange, both in the county and state. She also was well known in Eastern Star circles having been a member of Wenona Chapter, No. 162 O.E.S. of this city.
She is survived by her husband; one son, Clare FITZSIMMONS of Reading and one daughter, Miss Minnie FITZSIMMONS at home. No arrangements have as yet been made for the funeral.

Submitter: Nancy Nally

L.H. [Luther] FITZSIMMONS

90 Year Old Pioneer Passed Away At Home There Yesterday (Photo appears mid-column)
Reading, July 14 - In L.H. FITZSIMMONS, 90, who passed away in Reading yesterday, Hillsdale County lost one of its oldest residents and the last survivor of probably the oldest pair of twins in the United States.
L.H. FITZSIMMONS was a twin brother of Uriah C. FITZSIMMONS also of Reading who passed away there in February. They were the first twins to be born in Hillsdale County and until the time of death of Uriah were probably the oldest living pair of twins in the United States.
L.H. FITZSIMMONS was born in Reading township Dec. 11, 1837 just two years after the first settler had taken up land there. He and his brother were brought up by their grandfather George FITZSIMMONS on his farm growing up pioneer boys in the days when Hillsdale County was yet a wilderness with wild game of all kinds roaming the woods and most of the land an intractable forest.
Mr. FITZSIMMONS only near surviving relative is a daughter, Mrs. Arch CAMPBELL of Reading. He had several half brothers and sisters all of whom have passed away.
Mr. FITZSIMMONS was remarkable in his memory of events and happenings of a lifetime which was approaching the century mark. To the very last of his life he was intensely interested in world affairs and was a close follower of papers and magazines.
Funeral services will be held at the Reading Baptist Church, of which he was a member, Monday afternoon at 2:30 eastern time with burial in the Reading Cemetery.

Submitter: Nancy Nally
(Submitter's note: The cemetery was actually called Maplewood Cemetery. Today it is known as Maplelawn Cemetery.)

Mrs. Lydia FITZSIMMONS

This morning about five o'clock Mrs. Lydia FITZSIMMONS died at the residence of her son, Mr. George FITZSIMMONS in this village.
The deceased was aged 80 years and 7 months. She was born in New Jersey, and moved to New York State at an early age.
Subsequently married Mr. George FITZSIMMONS, and lived in Wayne county until she moved to this township with her family in the spring of 1837 where she has resided ever since, rearing a large family of sons and daughters, eleven in all, five of whom are still living in this township and are among our most respected and enterprising citizens.
She was the first and only white woman that settled in this quarter of the township at the time; for more than 40 years she has endeared herself to the newcomers and citizens of the place by her kindness and generosity, for "Aunt Lydia" has become a household name with citizens of this place.
She will be buried tomorrow (Sunday) in the old cemetery in this village beside her husband whom she has survived nine years and one month.

Submitter: Nancy Nally
(Submitter's note: Since this item appears in the Reading affairs column of the Standard, the village referred to is Reading, MI. The "old cemetery" refers to the cemetery behind the Methodist Church in Reading.)

U.C. [Uriah] FITZSIMMONS

U.C. FITZSIMMONS Passes Away At Reading One of Oldest Residents (Photograph in middle of obituary column)
Reading, Feb. 24 - U.C. FITZSIMMONS age 90 years passed away yesterday afternoon at 12:30 after a week's illness. Death was due to a stroke of paralysis. The deceased was born and raised in Reading township, passed away on a farm just a 1/4 of a mile from where he was born.
Mr. Fitzsimmons is survived by a twin brother Luther, one son Burr, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They were the first twins born of white parents in the township and at the time of their birth there were but very few people living in Reading township. The deceased was one of the original life members of the Hillsdale County Fair Association and attended the county Fair each year until last September. He has always been a farmer and a hard worker, and was a noted sheep shearer.
At the time of his death he and his brother were the oldest residents of the township. U.C. FITZSIMMONS up to within a few days before his death could relate more of the early history of this county than anyone now living. His memory was remarkable and he kept well informed in current events until about a week ago when he suffered the stroke that caused his death.
Funeral services will be held Sunday at two o'clock at the home east of Reading. Rev. G. MOORES will officiate and interment will take place in Maplewood cemetery.

Submitter: Nancy Nally
(Submitter's note: Deceased's first name was Uriah.)

Judson FOUST

Judson FOUST, born and raised in this county, committed suicide in Washington, D.C., Friday, April 20, by inhaling gas. The remains were brought back and interred in the Morgan cemetery in Cambria. He was a brother of Mrs. A.J. WIGENT, of Reading.
Mr. FOUST was 49 years of age and for 16 years had been employed in the postoffice department.

Submitter: Nancy Nally

This page was last updated Wednesday, 05-Dec-2012 10:23:28 MST