Class of 1838
SILAS FITCH

REV. Silas Fitch was born in Franklin, N. Y., March 15, 1813, and died in Irvington, N.Y., October 26, 1885.

Soon after his graduation Mr. Fitch received a call to the principalship of the Delaware Literary Institute, located in his native town.  He accepted the position, and filled it with very marked ability for eight years.  The school had been recently established, and its early success was very largely due to the energy, tact and attractive personal character of its principal.  Mr. Fitch had already proved himself a thoughtful and persuasive speaker, when in 1846 he joined the New York Conference.  He was engaged in the active work of the pastorate from that date until his death, with the exception of the four years 1863—7, when he was Principal of Delaware Academy, Delhi, N. Y.

Of his character as a man and Christian minister, one of the fellow-preachers of his Conference says:

“As a preacher, he was plain and practical.  He felt that what all most needed was the application of the Gospel to the heart and life.  He loved this work.  As a pastor; he was very successful.  His manly form, genial face and cheerful words made him ever welcome.  He was unselfish, and his sympathies were broad and deep.  Whatever interested his flock interested him.  Little children loved him, and would run to meet him.  If things seemed forbidding in the new charge, he always looked on the bright side and strove to build up what had fallen down, and restore harmony where discord prevailed, and his efforts were generally successful.”

His death was sudden.  He was apparently in perfect health, and had just returned from a brief walk, when he expired without a moment’s warning.  It was an earnest, devoted, and useful Christian life that thus suddenly came to an end on earth.

Source:  Obituary Record of Alumni of Wesleyan University for the Academic Year Ending June 24, 1886, Middletown, Conn. 1886