Obit in Whitesboro News Record & Sherman Daily Democrat 10 Jan. 1916, P. 3, Col. b:
REV. ELI WITT.
Pioneer Baptist Preacher Called to His Reward.
Rev. Eli Witt died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Sheegog in Whitesboro on Tuesday morning, January 4th, at 5 o'clock. Rev. Witt was born near Chicago, Illinois, on December 26, 1817, being 98 years and ten days of age at the time of his death. At the age of 21 years he was married to Miss Bettie Miller (Elizabeth-they married 9 Sept 1841) to which union six children were born. He moved to Texas in 1842, first settling in Collin county. Here, aside from the duties of providing a living for his family he pursued the calling of a Baptist minister. From Collin county he moved to Blocker creek in Cooke county, known in those days as the frontier. Here they experienced the hardships incident in the pioneer settlers in those days, raided by the Indians, losing friends and property. He removed to Dallas county and at Trinity Mills established a grist mill. He later moved to Whitesboro, where he remained until a few years ago when he returned to Dallas to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. C. McCutchen. A few months ago he removed in this city and has since made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Sheegog. In the passing of Rev. Eli Witt one of the purest characters of this section of the state is brought out. He was an active Baptist minister for more than sixty-five years and it is said of him by those who knew him best that he lived every day that life be commended others to live unto God and not for self. It was his happiest hour when he ministered to his fellow man. And it is believed by his denomination that he had led more souls to Christ than any other Baptist minister in Texas. He had the distinction of being the first Baptist minister to deliver a sermon in Dallas, he having preached there in a log court house in the year 1842. For many years his ministerial field embodied a large portion of North Texas and it was a common occurrence to fill an appointment 60 miles from his home, making the journey horseback. The surviving children are Morris Witt, Roswell, N.M.; Mrs. J. T. Powell, Poteet, Texas; Mrs. J. C. McCutchen, Dallas, Texas; none of whom attended the funeral owing to ill health, the latter mentioned being visiting in Salt Lake City. Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist church Wednesday morning by Rev. R. W. Leazer, assisted by Rev. Hal F. Smith and Eld. Henry Hagemeier. Interment was made in the city cemetery besides his wife (Elizabeth d. 1882) who preceded him to the great beyond more than 34 years ago.
(Eli married again to Margaret Melton on Feb. 13, 1887)
REV. ELI WITT.
Pioneer Baptist Preacher Called to His Reward.
Rev. Eli Witt died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Sheegog in Whitesboro on Tuesday morning, January 4th, at 5 o'clock. Rev. Witt was born near Chicago, Illinois, on December 26, 1817, being 98 years and ten days of age at the time of his death. At the age of 21 years he was married to Miss Bettie Miller (Elizabeth-they married 9 Sept 1841) to which union six children were born. He moved to Texas in 1842, first settling in Collin county. Here, aside from the duties of providing a living for his family he pursued the calling of a Baptist minister. From Collin county he moved to Blocker creek in Cooke county, known in those days as the frontier. Here they experienced the hardships incident in the pioneer settlers in those days, raided by the Indians, losing friends and property. He removed to Dallas county and at Trinity Mills established a grist mill. He later moved to Whitesboro, where he remained until a few years ago when he returned to Dallas to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. C. McCutchen. A few months ago he removed in this city and has since made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Sheegog. In the passing of Rev. Eli Witt one of the purest characters of this section of the state is brought out. He was an active Baptist minister for more than sixty-five years and it is said of him by those who knew him best that he lived every day that life be commended others to live unto God and not for self. It was his happiest hour when he ministered to his fellow man. And it is believed by his denomination that he had led more souls to Christ than any other Baptist minister in Texas. He had the distinction of being the first Baptist minister to deliver a sermon in Dallas, he having preached there in a log court house in the year 1842. For many years his ministerial field embodied a large portion of North Texas and it was a common occurrence to fill an appointment 60 miles from his home, making the journey horseback. The surviving children are Morris Witt, Roswell, N.M.; Mrs. J. T. Powell, Poteet, Texas; Mrs. J. C. McCutchen, Dallas, Texas; none of whom attended the funeral owing to ill health, the latter mentioned being visiting in Salt Lake City. Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist church Wednesday morning by Rev. R. W. Leazer, assisted by Rev. Hal F. Smith and Eld. Henry Hagemeier. Interment was made in the city cemetery besides his wife (Elizabeth d. 1882) who preceded him to the great beyond more than 34 years ago.
(Eli married again to Margaret Melton on Feb. 13, 1887)
Obit in Whitesboro News Record & Sherman Daily Democrat 10 Jan. 1916, P. 3, Col. b:
REV. ELI WITT.
Pioneer Baptist Preacher Called to His Reward.
Rev. Eli Witt died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Sheegog in Whitesboro on Tuesday morning, January 4th, at 5 o'clock. Rev. Witt was born near Chicago, Illinois, on December 26, 1817, being 98 years and ten days of age at the time of his death. At the age of 21 years he was married to Miss Bettie Miller (Elizabeth-they married 9 Sept 1841) to which union six children were born. He moved to Texas in 1842, first settling in Collin county. Here, aside from the duties of providing a living for his family he pursued the calling of a Baptist minister. From Collin county he moved to Blocker creek in Cooke county, known in those days as the frontier. Here they experienced the hardships incident in the pioneer settlers in those days, raided by the Indians, losing friends and property. He removed to Dallas county and at Trinity Mills established a grist mill. He later moved to Whitesboro, where he remained until a few years ago when he returned to Dallas to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. C. McCutchen. A few months ago he removed in this city and has since made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Sheegog. In the passing of Rev. Eli Witt one of the purest characters of this section of the state is brought out. He was an active Baptist minister for more than sixty-five years and it is said of him by those who knew him best that he lived every day that life be commended others to live unto God and not for self. It was his happiest hour when he ministered to his fellow man. And it is believed by his denomination that he had led more souls to Christ than any other Baptist minister in Texas. He had the distinction of being the first Baptist minister to deliver a sermon in Dallas, he having preached there in a log court house in the year 1842. For many years his ministerial field embodied a large portion of North Texas and it was a common occurrence to fill an appointment 60 miles from his home, making the journey horseback. The surviving children are Morris Witt, Roswell, N.M.; Mrs. J. T. Powell, Poteet, Texas; Mrs. J. C. McCutchen, Dallas, Texas; none of whom attended the funeral owing to ill health, the latter mentioned being visiting in Salt Lake City. Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist church Wednesday morning by Rev. R. W. Leazer, assisted by Rev. Hal F. Smith and Eld. Henry Hagemeier. Interment was made in the city cemetery besides his wife (Elizabeth d. 1882) who preceded him to the great beyond more than 34 years ago.
(Eli married again to Margaret Melton on Feb. 13, 1887)
REV. ELI WITT.
Pioneer Baptist Preacher Called to His Reward.
Rev. Eli Witt died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Sheegog in Whitesboro on Tuesday morning, January 4th, at 5 o'clock. Rev. Witt was born near Chicago, Illinois, on December 26, 1817, being 98 years and ten days of age at the time of his death. At the age of 21 years he was married to Miss Bettie Miller (Elizabeth-they married 9 Sept 1841) to which union six children were born. He moved to Texas in 1842, first settling in Collin county. Here, aside from the duties of providing a living for his family he pursued the calling of a Baptist minister. From Collin county he moved to Blocker creek in Cooke county, known in those days as the frontier. Here they experienced the hardships incident in the pioneer settlers in those days, raided by the Indians, losing friends and property. He removed to Dallas county and at Trinity Mills established a grist mill. He later moved to Whitesboro, where he remained until a few years ago when he returned to Dallas to make his home with his daughter, Mrs. J. C. McCutchen. A few months ago he removed in this city and has since made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Frazier Sheegog. In the passing of Rev. Eli Witt one of the purest characters of this section of the state is brought out. He was an active Baptist minister for more than sixty-five years and it is said of him by those who knew him best that he lived every day that life be commended others to live unto God and not for self. It was his happiest hour when he ministered to his fellow man. And it is believed by his denomination that he had led more souls to Christ than any other Baptist minister in Texas. He had the distinction of being the first Baptist minister to deliver a sermon in Dallas, he having preached there in a log court house in the year 1842. For many years his ministerial field embodied a large portion of North Texas and it was a common occurrence to fill an appointment 60 miles from his home, making the journey horseback. The surviving children are Morris Witt, Roswell, N.M.; Mrs. J. T. Powell, Poteet, Texas; Mrs. J. C. McCutchen, Dallas, Texas; none of whom attended the funeral owing to ill health, the latter mentioned being visiting in Salt Lake City. Funeral services were conducted at the Baptist church Wednesday morning by Rev. R. W. Leazer, assisted by Rev. Hal F. Smith and Eld. Henry Hagemeier. Interment was made in the city cemetery besides his wife (Elizabeth d. 1882) who preceded him to the great beyond more than 34 years ago.
(Eli married again to Margaret Melton on Feb. 13, 1887)
