BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 578-579.


JAMES FITTON, the well-known plumber of Bellaire, Ohio, was born in
Rochdale, England, in 1836, in the month of December, the 29th day. He
is the son of James and Mary Fitton, both of English birth. James Fitton,
Sr., was a cotton spinner in England until 1847, when he came to the
United States, and settled in Harper's Ferry, where he died in 1849. He
was the father of seven children, three of whom survive him. His wife died
in Wheeling in 1868. James, Jr., attended the schools in England until he
was eight years old, he then worked in the cotton mill with his father
until the family came to this country. He worked in the mills at Harper's
Ferry until his father's death. The family moved to Wheeling, W. Va., in
1850, and Mr. Fitton continued to work in the cotton industry until 1852,
when he began a five years' apprenticeship to a plumber. After finishing
his apprenticeship, he worked for William Hare, of Wheeling, for seventeen
years, at the expiration of which time he established a business at Cadiz,
Ohio, but subsequently, in 1872, came to Bellaire. Mr. Fitton has been
connected with the plumbing business in Bellaire ever since his coming here,
and has built up a very large business, he having always dealt fairly and
honestly with his patrons. He was married May 25, 1857, to Miss Anna M.
Trisler, of Wheeling, and eight children have been born to them: Mary A.,
Alice J., Martha E., Henry R., Lillian A., Maggie and James R., and Laura,
who died in infancy, the others are living, forming a most interesting
family circle. Mr. and Mrs. Fitton are earnest communicants of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of Bellaire; he is also a member of the I. O. O. F., the 
Masonic order and the K. of H. Although he has never desired office, he is
a very constant worker for the republican party. Mr. Fitton and family are
among the best citizens of Bellaire, and are so regarded by the community
at large.