George Clay Fitch, deceased, late of Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in Putney, Vt., December 20, 1823, and was a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent families of New England, as he is all probability descended from either Thomas or James Fitch, brothers, who came from England in 1634, the former as colonial governor of Connecticut, and the latter as chaplain of Saybrook colony. From these early colonists lineal descendants to the number of 5,000 can now be traced in an unbroken line in various parts of the United States.

James Fitch, father of George C. Fitch, the deceased subject of this sketch, was born in Putney, Vt., November 27, 1780, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Abigail Wilmarth, was born in Lyndon, Vt., April 24, 1782. They were married at the bride’s birthplace January 10, 1810, and of the seven children resulting from this union, George C., was the sixth in order of birth, but the most of them have now passed away. The father died when George C. was yet in his teens, and the latter was in consequence early forced upon the stage of active business life. He received an academic education in his native city, acquired habits of careful and thoughtful consideration of subjects as they came before him, and retained these habits throughout his life.

George C. Fitch came to Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1848, and established, in company with his brother James, the first carriage factory in the city, and being thus early associated with the business interests of the Valley city, his name become closely interwoven with its history. At his coming, to Grand Rapids contained a population of 2,000 only, and Mr. Fitch was personally acquainted with each inhabitant. He was public spirited and progressive, and to this characteristic was due much of the rapid growth and phenomenal success which he assisted in contributing to the little town.

Mr. Fitch was a member of the first fire company of Grand Rapids, being a volunteer in 1850, and he also early allied himself with St. Mark’s Episcopal church, of which he remained a consistent and active member until life was no more. He served as a member of the board of education, as an alderman, and was treasurer of the Kent County Agricultural society for a number of years, but his quiet and unobtrusive manner, together with his devotion to his private affairs, rendered public office distasteful to him, yet he was ever ready to respond when called upon to perform a public duty likely to be of benefit to his fellow-citizens. He was a man of strong personality, notwithstanding his unassuming disposition, was devoted to his family and friends, and his greatest happiness was found in their society, The following beautiful tribute to his memory was penned by "A Friend," and published in the city papers after his death:

GEORGE C. FITCH, AN OLD RESIDENT, A PIONEER MANUFACTURER, A SUCCESSFUL

BUSINESS MAN AND HONORED CITIZEN,HAS PASSED AWAY.***But when such a man passes away, it is due to the community in which he lived that a little more be said, for such lives touch us only for good. Mr. Fitch was a modest and unassuming man, possessing, to an unusual degree, the "homely" virtues of kindness, patience, gentleness, integrity and friendliness, and in his life these virtues were beautiful though modestly and almost unconsciously illustrated. First of all, he was a home man, than which nothing better can be said of any man. Here he was at his best, and to see him in the midst of his family, where brothers and sisters had gathered from far and near, was something worth remembering. He neither knew nor desired greater happiness than the home circle could furnish, and that circle knew no greater happiness than his presence afforded. Much could be said to his honor in relation to his business life; but when, after forty years of active Business life, his employees surround his tomb to shed tears of genuine sorrow, and call him their Friend, his unquestioned integrity can never be doubted. But we prefer to remember him as a man Possessed of an exalted ideal of the home and cultivate the richest blessings we may possess.

For many years after he desired to discontinue active business, his factories were kept running for no other purpose than to give employment to his tried and faithful workers, whose lives seemed to be so closely interwoven with his own.

His death occurred at the beautiful home, No. 155 Jefferson avenue, March 9, 1898. He died possessed of extensive property interests, having a large number of tenements, which his son, George E., manages for the benefit of the estate.

But there is another element in the family of equal importance and interest. The purity of home, with all its endearing surroundings, is largely due to the influence of the wife and mother. The estimable wife, companion and widow of the subject bore the maiden name of Cadette Everett, whose residence in Grand Rapids ante-dated that of her husband by two years. They were married January 24, 1863, and Mrs. Fitch is a daughter of Prof. Franklin and Thirza (Cudworth) Everett, who located in Grand Rapids in 1846.

Prof. Franklin Everett is well remembered as the first teacher in a school for the higher order of pupils in Grand Rapids, was a gentleman of ripe scholarship and an educator of marked ability. He graduated from Colby (Me.) University in 1838, was a classmate and life-long friend and correspondent of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, and began his professional life as principal of the Black River Academy in Ludlow, Vt. On coming to Grand Rapids in the fall of 1846 he was chosen principal of the academy, then in its experimental days, and subsequently the name was changed from the Grand Rapids to the Everett academy, and this was continued by Prof. Everett as an independent institution until 1874. Many of the most prosperous business and professional men of the city to-day are those who can trace their success in life to the early instruction and kindly advice of Prof. Everett. He was the chief promoter of the Kent Scientific institute, which existed for many years as a source of higher scientific investigation.

Prof. Everett was a writer of more than ordinary ability, and contributed many invaluable articles to some of the scientific journals, newspaper and other periodicals of his day, and he also wrote a history of the Grand River Valley—a work of great interest and value. It dwells at length and in minute detail upon many pioneer experiences in Grand Rapids, and is treasured as an heirloom in the families who are descended from the early settlers. Prof. Everett died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Fitch, February 1, 1894, honored and respected to a greater extent than many others who had lived in the city for a much longer period.

To Mr. and Mrs. George C. Fitch have been born two children, of whom the elder, Miss Louie M., is a highly accomplished young lady, having graduated from the Grand Rapids high school, and having supplemented her studies at that school with a course at a ladies boarding-school at Virginia City, Mont.. She inherits a taste for music, and is especially proficient as an instrumentalist in piano music, to which her life seems to be devoted, as well as to the peace and comfort of the parental home. The second born child of Mr. and Mrs. Fitch is George E., a young man of culture and refinement, who graduated from the Grand Rapids high school, and later took a three-year course in the scientific department of the university of Michigan.

His Great responsibilities were early thrust upon him by the death of his father, and he now has control jointly with his mother of the extensive and complicated affairs pertaining to the estate.

The Fitch family home at No. 155 Jefferson avenue, is one of the pleasantest in the city, and is the seat of a refined and genuine hospitality.