William Reeves Hitch

In the Federal Census of 1900, William R. Hitch is indicated in Geneva, Fillmore County, Nebraska in a household as follows: - William R. Hitch, born 9/1839 in OH - Nancy Hitch, born 12/1849 in IL - Almira Jones, born 4/1841 in IL (sister-in-law).

Death of W. R. Hitch -- William R. Hitch died at the Odd Fellow home at York. Neb., Saturday, November 18, 1922, aged 83 years, 1 month and 29 days. He was born September 20, 1839 in Ross county, Ohio. He moved from Ohio to McLean county, Illinois, in the spring of 1858, the family moving to Illinois two years later. He was married to Nancy S. Ferguson at DeWitt, Ill., March 18, 1876. He and wife and son Harvey moved from Illinois to Crete, Neb., in 1883 and in 1884 they moved to Geneva, which became the permanent home of the family. On coming to Geneva Mr. Hitch engaged in the mercantile business, remaining in that business, until July 26, 1910. His wife preceded him in death February 14, 1916. His son Harvey died July 26, 1921. He leaves to mourn him two brothers, Charles W. and Allison, who reside at Bloomington, Ill., two grandsons, Clyde E. of Geneva and Harold of St. Joseph, Mo., and one nephew, Frank, of Geneva. Mr. Hitch entered the Odd Fellow home, at York about one year ago. On Monday of last week he entered the hospital department of the home and death followed on Saturday. Old age had brought on hardening of the arteries. As a pioneer merchant in Geneva. Mr. Hitch had a wide acquaintance. He was always highly respected and his cheerful disposition won him a wide circle of friends. He was a member of the Odd Fellows. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in Geneva, Neb., June 5, 1887, and was an office bearer, a generous supporter, loyal, devoted to her interests and was treasurer of the building committee during the erection of the present church building. A service was held at the Odd Fellow home Sunday and an escort of Geneva Odd Fellows accompanied the body to Geneva that day. The funeral took place from the Geneva Methodist church at 2:30 Monday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. R. H. Thompson. Interment was in the Geneva cemetery. The Odd Fellows were in charge. (Nebraska Signal, front page; Nov 22, 1922)

William married Harriet Zepha Brown on 22 May 1862 in McLean Co., IL.^{1 2} (Harriet Zepha Brown was born in 1849 in DE and died before 1875.)

William next married Nancy S. Jones, daughter of Arthur C. Jones and Nancy Swisher, on 18 Mar 1875 in Dewitt Co., IL.³ (Nancy S. Jones was born on 16 Dec 1849 in IL,^{10 11} died on 16 Feb 1916 in Geneva, Fillmore Co., NE ^{9 10} and was buried on 18 Feb 1916 in Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Fillmore Co., NE ⁹.)