Dr. Wash Fithian, 1825-1904.  Paris Cemetery, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

The Bourbon News, Paris, Kentucky

Friday, June 17, 1904

Dr. Wash Fithian, the oldest and most beloved physician of Paris, died at his home on Pleasant Street, Wednesday afternoon, at 5:25, after three weeks of illness.  His death is mourned by the entire community, for he was loved, honored and respected by all.  It can truly be said that his death ended a useful life and the world has been made better that he lived in it, for he leaves a character for us to emulate.

There are sad hearts in many homes in Paris and Bourbon County, where this faithful and loving physician has. For over a half century, administered in the tenderest way to relieve pain.  Surely the horrors of death should vanish when such a man as Dr. Wash Fithian is called to his eternal home.  It is not death but a peaceful, restful sleep.

Dr. Washington Fithian was born in Salem County, New Jersey, January 8^th, 1825, which made him 79 years old last January.  His parents were Dr. Joel and Sarah Dick (Sinickson) Fithian.  His father was a native of New Jersey, and moved to Oxford, Ohio, in 1831, and followed his profession through life.  Dr. Wash Fithian graduated at Miami University, at Oxford, in 1845.  In that year, he began the study of medicine and prepare for his profession under his father.  He attended lectures regularly and graduated in the Ohio College of Medicine, at Cincinnati, in 1848.  In the same year, he located at North Middletown, Bourbon County, Kentucky, and entered upon the practice of his profession, remaining there for fifteen years.  In 1864 he moved to Paris, where he has since resided, after a short stay in preceding year at Shelbyville.  He gave his time and energies to his profession, to which he was greatly attached, and in which he always occupied an enviable position.  He had contributed with his pen to medical literature, and his practice and life was an advocate of the most elevated standard for the noble profession.  He was a veteran of two wars – Mexican and the late Civil War – a surgeon for a time in both.

For many years he and his brother, the late Dr. Joseph Fithian, were partners, and the love of these two brothers for each other was beautiful to behold.  It has often been remarked that Dr. Wash had never been the same man since the death of Dr. Joe several years ago.  It can also be truly said that there never lived in this community two men more beloved and highly respected than these two brothers – Dr. Wash and Dr. Joe Fithian.

His home life was all that characterizes a noble, Christian gentleman – an affectionate and devoted husband and a loving, indulgent father and grandfather.

His long life has been distinguished for his great integrity of character, and his exceptional personal, social and professional habits.

He was married September 18, 1850, to Miss Lucinda Hutchcraft, who survives him with two children – Charles Fithian and Mrs. F. M. Faries.

He was a Mason and Odd Fellow for over fifty years and an officer for many years in the Methodist church.

His funeral will be held at the Methodist church, this (Friday) morning at 10 o’clock, conducted by his pastor, Rev. J. L. Clark, assisted by Rev. Dr. E. H. Rutherford.  The services will be concluded at the grave by the Masons and Odd Fellows.

The pall bearers are:  Dr. F. J. R. Tilton, Dr. B. E. Bean, Dr. Silas Evans, H. A. Power, James McClure, A. Shire, John N. Davis, H. O. James.

Mrs. Wash Fithian, 1829-1909.

The Bourbon News, Paris, Kentucky

Tuesday, August 24, 1909

Mrs. Lou Hutchcraft Fithian, wife of the late Dr. Wash Fithian, entered into eternal sleep Friday morning at 11:30 o’clock, at her home on Pleasant Street, where she has resided for nearly half a century.

She had been confined to her bed for several weeks, when a week ago she was stricken with paralysis.  She was born in Bourbon County on June 7, 1829, being in the eighty-first year of her age.  In September 1850, she married Dr. Wash Fithian, of North Middletown, and several years afterwards located in Paris.

She was the eldest daughter of Reuben Hutchcraft, and is survived by one son, Dr. Charles N. Fithian; one daughter, Mrs. Frank Fairies; one sister, Mrs. Richard Harris, and her brothers, Messrs. R. B. Hutchcraft and William H. Hutchcraft, all of Paris, except the last named, who resides in Missouri.  She is also survived by eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Fithian was a remarkable woman in many respects, noted for her vitality and industry to the very last, although she had been an invalid for a number of years.  She had a bright mind, probably could give more correct dates of notable events that had occurred in Bourbon during her long and useful life than any other person in the county.

She was in fact a mother in Israel, always ready and anxious to do some loving act of kindness for a neighbor, friend or acquaintance.  She idolized her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  A loving, trusting and devoted mother, a kind neighbor, a true friend.  A noble Christian woman has passed from our midst in the death of Mrs. Wash Fithian.  She is not dead, but has only entered into that calm, peaceful and restful sleep that is the reward for all such women as the deceased.

Her funeral Sunday afternoon at the Methodist church, at three o’clock, was one of the largest ever witnessed in our city, and the many beautiful floral designs were but a slight tribute of love and affection that is held by the people of this community for the deceased.

The services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. M. T. Chandler, assisted by Rev. R. S. Litsinger, of the Episcopal church.  Mrs. Fithian had from early life been a consistent member of the Methodist church.  She was laid to rest in the Paris Cemetery by the side of her honored and much loved husband, Dr. Wash Fithian, who had preceded her to the grave.  The pall bearers were:  Mr. W. H. McMillan, Mr. J. W. Davis, Mr. John N. Davis, Mr. James McClure, Mr. H. A. Power, Mr. H. O. James, Mr. F. P. Lowry, Dr. F. L. Lapsley.