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Alvin DeLoss Pitts

The family of this name in Fayette county came originally from New York, but have been identified with the West for seventy-five years. Benjamin Pitts left New York with the Mormon exodus, though he was not a Mormon or connected with that organization in any way. He accompanied them as far as Illinois, but settled away from them in another part of the state. In 1856, he migrated to Iowa and found a location in Fayette county, being one of the early settlers of Bethel township. He took up government land in the southeast part of section I and lived there until advancing years prevented him from doing hard work. He gave up farming and started to Kansas, accompanied by his son James, but died on the way. His wife had died previous to his departure. Benjamin Franklin Pitts, the son above alluded to, married Sarah Louise, daughter of Reuben Henry and Elvira Richmond. After this he lived about a year in Wisconsin, but in 1856 removed to Iowa, located in Fayette county and found a home in Bethel township. This location was in the northeast quarter of section 12, where he resided for some twenty years and then moved to the west side of section I, which was his home for five years. He then lived on a farm at Alpha for two years, from which place he went to Sanborn, Iowa, where he has charge of a store. He had two children, Alvin D. and Clarence, the latter of whom is a resident of Sanborn.

Alvin Deloss Pitts was born in Bethel township, Fayette county, Iowa, in 1869. He grew up on the farm in section 12, meantime attending the Pitt school, which was the district school of his neighborhood. After reaching young manhood he worked out four years for John T. Gager. In 1895 he married Millie, daughter of Rudolph and Emiline (Moon) Foreman. Her parents were both of German descent and came from Pennsylvania. Mrs. Pitts was born in Richland county, Wisconsin, and came with her parents to Auburn township when a child. Both of her parents have been dead for some years. They were highly esteemed people, true to their duties in life and made good citizens, good neighbors and good friends. Mr. and Mrs. Alvin D. Pitts have five children, Harold, Grace, Vern, Lois and Ralph.

Before his marriage Mr. Pitts had bought a farm in the northeast quarter of section I and to this he removed and there he has ever since made his home. As a man, Mr. Pitts ranks high among his fellows, because of his integrity of character, his scrupulous regard of all his obligations and his general fulfillment of all the duties of citizenship. As a farmer he has made good in his methods of carrying on business. He attempts no fancy farming, preferring to follow the well settled paths and to pursue the courses which thousands of predecessors have shown to be the best. He raises the cereal crops adapted to Fayette county, besides a little livestock, keeps his farm in good condition, looks after the improvements and in every way seeks to be a model farmer. He has been successful in a moderate way and has nothing to be ashamed of in his years of operations as a practical agriculturist. He takes the interest of a good citizen in clean politics and may always be found on the side that gives the best promise of good government. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and pays proper attention to his duties in connection with the lodge.

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Ann Borden