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OBITUARY.PROP. J AMES i’lTCIlKR, D, I.Prof. James Pitcher, D. D., a former principal of Ilartwick Seminary and a Lutheran c'ergyrnan well known in this section of the State, died at Thanksgiv-it»K Hospital, Coopsrstown, Sunday evening, aged 50 years. The news of his death came with startling suddenness to his friends in this vicinity, few of whom knew that he was seriously ill.lir. Pitcher was taken to the hospital on Friday, suffering from cancer ot the stomach, and 011 Saturday he underwent an operation jierformcd by 1 r. McDonald of Albany, assisted hv I)r. Sill and oihcr local surgeons. He failed steadily until the end came. 11 is condition had not been considered serious long. In June last, while engaged in editing the llai t wick Seminary Monthly, he was ail ng and consulted a physician, A few weeks later he had faded perceptibly since that tune, and a more careful diagnosis was made. Mis decline has been speedy since the operation became imperative.The operation revealed that the cancer had clo-ed the orifice lcadi g from the stomach to the intestines aud had attached the back wall of the stomach. The best ellorts of the surgeons were given, nut 11 was looked upon js nearly hojHilcss when it was over.Dr. Pitcher was horn at Knox, Albany county. Del 11, 1S45, His early educa tion was received at the district school aud the Knox Academy. At w years 01 age he entered Ilartwick Seminary and at once took high rank as a student. Alter his graduation he was pastor ol the Lutheran Church at Maryland ior two years, after which, in 1871, he called to the seminary a- assistant pnncipul. One year later, by unanimous vote ot iht board of trustees, he \va- made principal of the institution, and he remained a most successful aud efficient principal until iSijt, when he was, a: his own request, relieved of the responsibihtie-lie, however, remained as proiessor ot English and natural science^|and his influence was always for the lies! am highest in scholarship and citizennhir. He was also active in the Ilartwick Synoi of the Lutheran Church and had been f«.r years its treasurer. He had represented that synod at the general synod, always with credit to hiniselt and the church. His abilities, of 120 mean order have been devoted to the semuary and the church it represents, and his influence upon the church, the school and its graduates will long be felt for good.He was a lifc«ioag student of both sciences and letters, of both men and public utTairs, and his attainments ma le him most cute 1 taining, and these, coupled with Ins genial, kindly nature, made him a most agreeable companion, lie received the degree of A. M. Iron) Union College nnd D. D. from Ilartwick Seminary. lie had a refreshing originality of thought and a pleasing literary style. He possessed also marked poetic instinct, his 'best known and rnost appreciative poemsbeing “The Hermit of Moss Pond and ••The Mystery of Fairy Spring. He also was the author of “Outlines of Survey ing and Navigation. a text book ot wide use.Dr. Pitcher is survived by his wife. Mary Platt, a daughter of the late A. II.I Platt, long one of the best known rest dents of Maryland, to whom he was married in 1871; one daughter, Mrs. E. I.. Tucker ot Syracuse, an 1 one son, James Pitcher, Jr., a student at the seminary. He leaves also his aged m it her. Mrs. Sophia Pitcher, who resided with him, and four hall-brothers and a half i«ter.
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Cobleskill Index
Cobleskill, New York, US
Thu, Jul 27, 1905
Page 9
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