Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1909 — REV. VOLNEY O. FRITTS ANSWERS LAST CALL. [ARTICLE]

REV. VOLNEY O. FRITTS ANSWERS LAST CALL.

Was Veteran of Civil War—Also Member of Masonic Lodge—Gave Practically All His Life To Church Work. Dunkirk Daily News. Rev. Volney O. Fritts died at his home on Indiana street, at 9:50 o’clock this morning after a lingering illness. The deceased was 64 years of afe and besides a minister in the Baptist church he was a veteran of the CiYil war and a member of the Masonic lodge. Rev. Fritts was born in Carlisle. Ky. [and came to Indiana when but 10 ydars of age where he grew to manhood* When the war broke out he enlisted in the service as a member of Company B, 134th Indiana volunteer Infantry. At the close of the war he Was bfihrrhfd to Mias Emma Hall of near Greensburg. To this union seven children were born, four of whom died in infancy. Those who survive are the wife, two sons and a daughter. Thej* are E. E. Fritts, of Delphi, Edward Fritts, of this city, and Mrs. B. M. Lewellen, of Muncie, all of whom wererat the bedside when the end Came. Rev. Fritts came to Dunkirk in 1883; and was pastor of the Baptist church for two years. At the end of his pastorate here he moved to Roseville* where he was pastor of the Baptist church for a period of seven years. He has also held the pastorate (n Martinsville, Rensselaer and Bootfvllle. At the latter place his health felled and he was compelled to give up the ministry for a time. He then moved to Anderson where he underwent two surgical operations, the first »nbt being successful. After some months he again took up his church work going to Rensselaer where he preached for two years, coming to Dunkirk again in the fall of 1899, where he served as pastor of the local Baptist church for seven years. He then moved to Bunkerhill where his health failed a second time and he was again forced to undergo an operation at an Indianapolis hospital. This was in September, 1908. Two months ago he moved to this city, and since his return has been in very poor health, his death resulting from the effects of uremic -poison. Rev. Fritts was a man beloved by all who knew him, always having a smile and a word of cheer for those whom he met in his dally walks. Practically his whole life was spent in church work and when the end came he died as he had lived, in the triumphs of a Christian faith. He will be greatly missed in this community. The funejal services will he conducted from the Baptist church at 2:30 o’clock Friday afternoon, the Rev. U. M. McGuire, pastor of the Baptist church at Washington, Ind., officiating. The local G. A. R. and members of-the Masonic lodge will assist in the services. Burial will be made in I. O. O. F. cemetery.