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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Leroy R. Fitz

Leroy R. Fitz, who is engaged in merchandising in the village of Adaza, carrying a line of farm implements, hardware, buggies, wagons, cream separators and drain tile, was born in Linn county in 1876 and has spent his entire life in Iowa. His father, Washington W. Fitz, is likewise a native of this state and a representative of one of its honored pioneer families. He, too, was born in Linn county, the year of his birth being 1850. His father, Thomas Fitz of Ohio, came westward at an early day and from the government entered two hundred acres of land, buying in Linn county. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place but with characteristic energy he resolutely undertook the task of developing a new farm amid pioneer conditions and environments. Such a work required courage, unfaitering determination and stern purpose. He unflinchingly met the hardships of such a life and in the course of time developed a good farm property. He married Charlotte Bruner, also a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of a family of five sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living. The grandfather of our subject, however, died in Linn county in 1874 at the age of sixty-four years.

Washington W. Fitz, the father of our subject. was reared on the old homestead in his native county and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational advantages he enjoyed in early life. He came to Greene county in 1884 and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. It was then raw prairie but it was not long before he had broken the sod and turned the furrows, his labors giving evidence of what was to follow in rich crops and bounteous harvests. He set out all the trees upon his place, adding thus to its value and attractive appearance, and he also erected substantial buildings, including a barn thirty four by fifty feet. He put up corn cribs and other sheds for the shelter of grain and stock and he built a comfortable house. He now has one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land in Highland township and there he continued farming until 1902, at the same time successfully engaging in raising stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs, which he shipped extensively to the city market. Since 1902 he has rented his land, while he gives his time largely to the raising of squabs, which he ships to Chicago, selling one hundred a week. This is a new industry in the county and one which is proving very profitable.

Washington W. Fitz was married in Cedar Rapids to Miss Ella Blessing, also a native of Linn county, Iowa, and their family numbers five children: Leroy, now living in Adaza; Mrs. Maude Le Gore, of Rockwell City, Iowa: Claude, who is engaged in business in the Indian Territory; and Mabel and Ava, both at home. In his political allegiance Washington W. Fitz is a republican and keeps thoroughly informed concerning the questions and issues of the day. He staunchly believes in the policy of the party and his work in its behalf has not been without result. yet he has never sought office as a reward for party fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church, to the interests of which he is most loyal.

Leroy R. Fitz, whose name introduces this review, pursued his studies in different schools, owing to the removals made by the family. In 1884, when a youth of eight years. he accompanied his parents to Greene county and lived at home until nineteen years of age. He then began running a dairy wagon in Churdan, carrying on the business for two years, for which purpose he kept twelve cows. He then sold out and began farming in Calhoun county, where he lived until three years ago, with the exception of a period of two and a half years spent in Churdan. In 1904 he came to Adaza and began selling coal, posts and drain tile. He still handles drain tile and also deals in hardware, farm implements, buggies and wagons, cream separators, etc. He had a cream station here for Rockwell City for two years, buying cream. He carries on his business alone, being the first to establish an enterprise of this character in Adaza, and as the years have passed he has secured a liberal patronage.

Mr. Fitz was married in Calhoun county in 1895 to Miss Maud I. Reading, a native of that county, and a daughter of M. M. Reading, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. They now have four children, Dale, Dean, Grace and Kenneth, all at home. Mr. Fitz purchased a residence from P. A. Sanders in Adaza and also bought the creamery property here. His real-estate and his commercial interests are the visible evidence of his life of thrift and labor. He is a trustee of Reading township, and while in Calhoun county served as school director for five years. He has always voted with the republican party and in his fraternal relations he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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