Dr. William Joseph Hitch ³

Obituary of William J. Hitch - Copy sent to me by Susan Cramer of Pinehurst. NC on January 1, 1998:

Dr. Wm. Joseph Hitch

This community was painfully shocked Tuesday morning to learn of the sudden death of Dr. William Joseph Hitch, one of its most prominent physicians and best known citizens. Dr. Hitch succumbed early Tuesday morning to an acute attack of indigestion which seized him so suddenly that his life was snuffed out so quickly that few of his relatives had time to reach his side before he breathed his last.

Dr. William Joseph Hitch was born near Laurel March 19th,1835, being the son of Elijah Hitch. After attending the public and private schools of Laurel he entered Dickinson College and graduated with the class of 1855, and on receiving his diploma from that institution Matriculated at the medical dept. of the University of Pennsylvania where he was graduated in 1858. Dr. Hitch first located to practice his profession at Reliance, Md. and remained there two years, during the time marrying Miss Mary Emily Martin, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John Martin, of Millsboro (struck out and handwritten in - Coolspring). In 1860 he moved to Millsboro (again struck out and handwritten in - Coolspring) and practiced in partnership with his father-in-law Dr. John Martin. In 1876 he came to Laurel and soon succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice which he enjoyed and gave his constant attention until a few years ago when he retired from active work, turning over the bulk of his practice to his son, Dr. Joseph M. Hitch.

Though Mrs. Hitch died in the fall of 1881, Dr. Hitch did not marry again, preferring to shower his entire affections on his children to whom he was singularly devoted. Dr. Hitch was a member of the Presbyterian Church and for almost a quarter of a century has been examining physician for the Prudential Life Insurance Co. Five years ago on the anniversary of his twenty years' service he was presented by the company with a gold medal and on the 15th of next April it being the 25th anniversary. he was to receive a diamond medal and was looking forward to the event with a great deal of pleasure.

He is survived by six children, Mrs. Geo. E. Smith, John Hitch of Wilmington, Dr. D.M. Hitch of Philadelphia, Mrs. Eugene Stillman of Philadelphia, Dr. Jos. M. Hitch and Dr. G.A. Hitch. He is also survived by one brother, Chas. R. Hitch of Cuba, Mo., and three sisters, Mrs. Abraham Wright of Denton, Md., Mrs. Carrie Killiam of San Francisco, Cal., and Mrs. Noah Cooper.

Funeral services which were largely attended, were held at the house Thursday afternoon and interment made in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Rev. Avery Donovan officiating. In accordance with the request of the deceased his six sons and sons-in-law served as pall bearers at the funeral.

From "A Hitch Orchard", Daisy Hitch Davies, 1931: William Joseph Hitch, "Dr. Joe" was a doctor at Laurel, DE. He was a very unusual man, upright and good in every way. He had about twelve children in all and most of these married and had children. Among his sons were three doctors, one an MD. and the other two were dentists.

In the Federal Census of 1860, Dr. William J. Hitch is listed on page 244 in household number 130 in Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred (Millsboro), Sussex County, Delaware as follows: - William J. Hitch, age 25, doctor, born in DE - Mary E Hitch., age 22, born in DE - Levin Shockley (or Phillips?), age 27, black, born in DE.

In the Federal Census of 1870, William J. Hitch is listed in Lewis, Sussex County, Delaware on page 647 in a household as follows: - William J. Hitch, age 35, born in DE - Mary E. Hitch, age 31, born in DE - Lorettie Hitch, age 8, born in DE - Cassie E. Hitch, age 9, born in DE - John E. Hitch, age 5, born in DE - David M. Hitch, age 3, born in DE - Elizabeth M. Hitch, age 1, born in DE.

In the Federal Census of 1880, W.J. Hitch is listed in Laurel, Sussex County, Delaware in a household as follows: - W.J. Hitch, age 45, born in DE - Mary E. Hitch, age 41, born in DE - Cassie M. Hitch, age 19, born in DE - John E. Hitch, age 16, born in DE - David M. Hitch, age 12, born in DE - Eliza M. Hitch, age 11, born in DE - Joseph M. Hitch, age 9, born in DE - Lottie M. Hitch, age 6, born in DE - Gaylord A. Hitch, age 3, born in DE.

In the Federal Census of 1900, William J. Hitch is indicated in a household in Laurel, Sussex County, Delaware as follows: - William J. Hitch, born 3/1835 in DE - Gaylord A. Hitch, born 11/1876 in DE.

William married Mary Emily Martin, daughter of Dr. John Martin and Ann Emeline Harris, on 31 Aug 1859 in Sussex Co., DE.^{1 2} (Mary Emily Martin was born on 08 Apr 1839 in DE,^{1 10 11 12} died on 12 Sep 1881 in Sussex Co., DE ^{1 8} and was buried about 15 Sep 1881 in Cool Springs Cemetery, Sussex Co., DE.)