A carpenter by trade, he lived by the word of God, and far and around Rockbridge County friends, acquaintances and those persons who had heard of his good work came to see him laid to rest on Thursday, July 29. They were included in a funeral entourage said to be one of the largest yet, seen in Rockbridge County. The services were held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday from the Kerrs Creek Baptist church he helped build. His pastor, the Rev. J. S. Cash, assisted by the Rev. J. W. Gardner, administered the last rites. Interment was in the family plot at Kerrs Creek.
A man of strict Christian principles was Mr. Chittum. He held and held always that life according to the Scriptures was the only life; it was the life he lived. Born July 17, 1863, he grew to manhood learning the carpentry trade, taught by his father, John P. Chittum, who early in the country's history operated a wagon-building and wheelright business. While still a young lad, 21, Mr. Chittum made his first trip away from his home state. For one year he worked in the cotton fields of TX, becoming well known in the community in which he lived. While in TX the superintendent of the Sunday School of his community died, and he assumed this task until returning to his home at Kerrs Creek in 1885.
In 1887 Mr. Chittum wed the first time, taking as his bride Frances Elizabeth Chittum. Thereafter, he settled down to ply his trade, work a small farm of some 78 acres, and raise a family of 10 children, eight of who survive him. They are: Mrs. Clarence Reynolds, Xenia, O.: Mrs. A. W. Cash, Richmond, VA; Mrs. Ivy Muterspaw, Lexington; R. II. and Russel L., of Clifton Forge; Emmet N., John A., Clyde B., and Kenneth M., all of Route 1, Lexington. Three brothers, Benjamin F. of Xenia, O.; Dr. J. M. of North Liberty, IA, and Samuel D., of Waynesboro also survive.
After the death of his first wife in 1913, Mr. Chittum took the former Miss Virginia Robinson as his bride in 1917. She and 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive him. No children were born of the second wedlock.
As proof of practicing what he preached about the word of God, Mr. Chittum in 1885 organized a Baptist Sunday school at the Waterloo schoolhouse. He filled the post of superintendent of that school until 1920. Among edifices devoted to the worship of the Lord he helped construct is the Kerrs Creek Baptist Church. He was clerk of that church for 60 years.
Lexington Gazette
rom Find a Grave.
A carpenter by trade, he lived by the word of God, and far and around Rockbridge County friends, acquaintances and those persons who had heard of his good work came to see him laid to rest on Thursday, July 29. They were included in a funeral entourage said to be one of the largest yet, seen in Rockbridge County. The services were held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday from the Kerrs Creek Baptist church he helped build. His pastor, the Rev. J. S. Cash, assisted by the Rev. J. W. Gardner, administered the last rites. Interment was in the family plot at Kerrs Creek.
A man of strict Christian principles was Mr. Chittum. He held and held always that life according to the Scriptures was the only life; it was the life he lived. Born July 17, 1863, he grew to manhood learning the carpentry trade, taught by his father, John P. Chittum, who early in the country's history operated a wagon-building and wheelright business. While still a young lad, 21, Mr. Chittum made his first trip away from his home state. For one year he worked in the cotton fields of TX, becoming well known in the community in which he lived. While in TX the superintendent of the Sunday School of his community died, and he assumed this task until returning to his home at Kerrs Creek in 1885.
In 1887 Mr. Chittum wed the first time, taking as his bride Frances Elizabeth Chittum. Thereafter, he settled down to ply his trade, work a small farm of some 78 acres, and raise a family of 10 children, eight of who survive him. They are: Mrs. Clarence Reynolds, Xenia, O.: Mrs. A. W. Cash, Richmond, VA; Mrs. Ivy Muterspaw, Lexington; R. II. and Russel L., of Clifton Forge; Emmet N., John A., Clyde B., and Kenneth M., all of Route 1, Lexington. Three brothers, Benjamin F. of Xenia, O.; Dr. J. M. of North Liberty, IA, and Samuel D., of Waynesboro also survive.
After the death of his first wife in 1913, Mr. Chittum took the former Miss Virginia Robinson as his bride in 1917. She and 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive him. No children were born of the second wedlock.
As proof of practicing what he preached about the word of God, Mr. Chittum in 1885 organized a Baptist Sunday school at the Waterloo schoolhouse. He filled the post of superintendent of that school until 1920. Among edifices devoted to the worship of the Lord he helped construct is the Kerrs Creek Baptist Church. He was clerk of that church for 60 years.
Lexington Gazette
rom Find a Grave.