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CHARLES D. FITHIAN. Among the rising young lawyers of Southern Illinois none are more able and promising than Charles D. Fithian, state's attorney. In choosing the profession of which he has already proved an ornament Mr. Fithian is following in his father's footsteps, for the elder gentleman was favorably known lawyer of Jasper county. The son, although of the younger generation, has achieved distinction as a learned and erudite lawyer, and doubtless many honors lie before him.
Mr. Fithian was born at Marshall, Clark county, Illinois, on the 21st day of August, 1882. His father, T. J. Fithian, was born in Jasper county, February 9, 1858. Here the early life of the elder gentleman was passed and in the common schools of the locality he obtained his education. Like the usual incipient lawyer of his day he received his preparation in a law office, and he was admitted to the bar in 1887. Previous to that he had engaged in farming and also was employed for some time in a printing office. When he began his practice it was at Newton, and here he remained active in his profession until his demise, in 1904. While in the printing business he was foreman of the Eastern Illiinois at Marshall, Illinois, the birthplace of the subject. In politics he was a staunch adherent of the Democratic party and for some time held the office of city attorney. He was married in 1879 to
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Jennie Leffler, of Jasper county, and three children were born to them, Charles D. being the eldest in order of birth. The others are Cecil and Mrs. Don Haven. T. J. Fithian was a member of the Presbyterian church and he took no small amount of pleasure in his fraternal association with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was the advocate and supporter of all important and proper improvements and stood high in the estimation of all who knew him. His widow is still living and resides at Newton, where she is generally admired for her many fine qualities of mind and heart.
When very young Mr. Fithian's parents removed with him to Newton and here the greater part of his life has been passed. He received his education in the local schools, taking advantage of their higher department, and having come to a decision as to his life work he matriculated in the law department of Valparaiso University, at Valparaiso, Indiana, and was graduated from that institution in June, 1902, receiving the well-earned degree of LL. B. In that same year he was admitted to the bar in both Indiana and Illinois. Upon finishing his professional preparation Mr. Fithian returned to the community dearest to him and entered into a partnership with Judge H. M. Koserman, who now holds the office of county judge. This association continued from 1904 to 1906, and subsequently he engaged for a period in independent practice. In 1905 he was elected city attorney, but in 1908 resigned to accept the office of state's attorney, which office he has ever since held with general satisfaction. He has recently entered into a new law partnership with C. A. Davidson, former state senator, their association dating from January, 1911. The subject is a Democrat of the staunchest and most loyal type, and he has ever manifested perfect willingness to do anything legitimate for the success of the party's causes. He is a nephew of George W. Fithian, ex-congressman from the Nineteenth Illinois district.
On October 12, 1904, Mr. Fithian abandoned the ranks of the bachelors, in which he had been a popular member, and was united in marriage to Jennie Mae Shouse, of Newton, Illinois, and they now share their pleasant abode with a little daughter, Angela Regina. They are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Fithian belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America.