Newton H. Hitch

In the Federal Census of 1880, Newton Hitch is indicated in McLean County, Illinois (sheet 32) in a household as follows: - Newton Hitch, age 31, born in OH - Mary Hitch, age 31, born in OH - Frank Hitch, age 1, born in OH.

In the Federal Census of 1900, Newton H. Hitch is indicated in Filmore County, Nebraska (Geneva) in a household as follows: - Newton H. Hitch, born 12/1848 in OH - Mary Hitch, born 12/1848 in OH.

HITCH, NEWTON\emdash Newton Hitch of Geneva, Neb., died at the Ensworth Methodist hospital at St. Joseph, Mo., at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, 1920, aged 71 years, 3 months, and 29 days. Mr. Hitch was born December 8, 1848, at Kinnickinick, Ross county, Ohio. He moved with his parents to McLean county, Illinois in 1859. He was married to Mary Mayers at Bloomington, Ill., February 21, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Hitch removed to Geneva, Neb., October 2, 1890, and this has continued the family home since that time. For a number of years Mr. Hitch was deputy recorder of deeds in McLean county, Illinois. For a year and a half immediately preceding his removal to Geneva, he conducted a restaurant. His removal to Geneva was for the purpose of engaging in the grocery business here with his brother, W. R. Hitch, who was already established in that business. Later the business was enlarged to include other merchandise. This partnership continued until about ten years ago, when W.R. Hitch sold his interest to L.O. Swails and retired from active business. Mr. Hitch and Mrs. Swails continued as partners in the same business without interruption until the partnership was terminated by Mr. Hitch's death. Mr. Hitch is survived by his wife and one son, District Clerk, Frank H. Hitch. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Improved Order of Red Men and Fraternal Aid Union. He was local president of the last named organization for a number of years, and was holding that office at the time of his death. Mr. Hitch and his partner, Mr. Swails went to St. Joseph, March 28. They expected to spend the following day among the wholesale houses in St. Joseph. Mr. Hitch also went to St. Joseph for the purpose of assisting his brother W.R. Hitch to come to Geneva for a visit, the latter having met with an accident which is still keeping him on crutches. Mr. Hitch had been in poor health for a considerable time, and Mr. Swails accompanying him to St. Joseph was partly through unwillingness to have him travel alone. The precaution was well taken, because Mr. Hitch was taken ill on the train and on arriving at St. Joseph had to be taken at once to a hospital, where his death occurred April 7. The body arrived in Geneva the following day. The funeral took place from the family residence at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 10, and was conducted by Rev. R.H. Thompson. Many friends gathered to pay a tribute to the memory of a highly esteemed citizen. Business house closed during the funeral. The interment was in the Geneva cemetery. The Nebraska Signal 1920.

Newton married Mary Ellen Myers, daughter of Henry Myers and Katherine Hassler, on 21 Feb 1878 in McLean Co., IL.^{1 2} (Mary Ellen Myers was born on 14 Dec 1847 in Kinnikinnick, Ross Co., OH,^{4 7 8} died on 09 May 1935 in Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Fillmore Co., NE ^{6 8} and was buried on 10 May 1935 in Geneva Cemetery, Geneva, Fillmore Co., NE ⁶.)