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 ILLIAM STITES, a retired farmer, is a prominent resident of Morgan Township. He was born on Christmas Day, 1822, in Columbia Township, Hamilton Co., Ohio, and is the son of John F. and Fannie (Muchmore) Stites. His grandfather, Benjamin Stites, a native of Virginia, was one of a party of sixteen, of which his father was the leader, who first landed at Columbia, Ohio, and he assisted in building the first block-house in that place. He was sixteen years of age when he accompanied his father on that expedition. The family settled in Ohio, and his father passed the remainder of his life in that State. Benjamin Stites was twice married, and a family of several children was born to him by each marriage. His death occurred near Lebanon, Ohio. John Stites reared a family of ten children, of whom the following is the record: William, the subject of this sketch; Anna was the wife of David Gerard, a resident of Butler County, Ohio, and both are deceased; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of William Muchmore, a resident of Ohio; James, a resident of Kansas, was twice married; David died on Christmas, 1885, in Coles County, Ill.; his death occurred very suddenly; he was found lifeless sitting in his easy chair, as if he had fallen asleep. He left a wife and four children. John M. is married and resides in Missouri; he has a family of five children living. Hiram, deceased, was a resident of Butler County, Ohio, and left a family of three children; Emily, the wife of J. Gerard, resides in Morgan Township, and has a family of four children living; Phoebe died at the age of seventeen, and Franklin. John Stites was a successful farmer in Ohio, where his life was passed. His death occurred in Butler County, of that State. William Stites was married, in March, 1845, to Miss Edith Stites. Mrs. Stites was the daughter of Joshua and Mary (Townsend) Stites. The families bear the same name, but are not related. Her parents were from Cape May County, N. J.. and came to Ohio at an early day, making their permanent home there. After his marriage, which took place in Columbia Township, Butler County, Mr. Stites remained in Ohio until 1872. He then came to Coles County, and purchased a farm, which he cultivated and improved. He has since made his home here, and is retired from active business. He passes his time, however, in supervising his general business affairs, collecting rents, etc. He has only two children Nathaniel S. and Thomas J. His wife died Aug. 29, 1884, of typhoid fever, at the age of sixty-three, and is buried in Greasy Point Cemetery. She had been for many years a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in her daily life evinced the sincerity of her Christian faith. Her death was deeply mourned by her family and a large circle of friends. Mr. Stites has been a consistent member of the Methodist Church for more than thirty years. In politics, he is a Republican. |
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