Allen Spain Hitch

From "A Hitch Orchard," Daisy Hitch Davies, 1931: "Allen Spain Hitch, at the time his father was shot and killed while performing his duties as a policeman, was but 24 years old and the eldest of ten children. His mother died a few months later partly as the result from the untimely and tragic death of her husband. Thus was Allen Spain Hitch left by virtue of being the eldest of the family, advisor of this large brood. Seven of them were boys. It was he, also, who later entered a protest to the Indiana State Prison Board of Pardons against the release of his father's slayer, Walter Bocail # 5541.

The protest was duly and satisfactory acted upon by the State Board. His father had gone to the rescue of Brovail's wife, who was in danger of her life when he was shot. At the time one of her children was seriously ill. This sad event happened on Sunday which happened to be Mother's Day. Harrison Clement Hitch, the slain man, was held in very high esteem. During the funeral every person's home in the city was closed as were the stores, banks, and the Court House.

Allen Spain Hitch had a common school education in Gibson Co., IN at Patoka, Princeton, and country school. As a young man he started work in a grocery store at the age of 13. He worked for E.P.Downey at Princeton, IN for four and one half years. He then worked for the Princeton Mercantile Co. and John B. Woods, a short time each place. Was with the Reo Motor Car Co., Lansing, MI. for some time, was also with the National Motor Car Co., at Indianapolis, IN.

In the fall of 1910 he entered the employ of the Wilt Mercantile Co. at West Frankfort, IL. He was there several months and married while there. He then operated a wholesale and retail news stand at Princeton, IN about two years. Then went into partnership with his brothers, Morton and Horace, and established the firm known as Hitch Brothers Wholesale and Retail Meat Dealers.

He stayed with this firm about a year and then entered the employ of B.T.Baven Co., publishers, Indianapolis, IN. He traveled in Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Kansas for two years for this firm. Then entered the employ of Standard Oil Co. (IN) at Milwaukee, WI in January 1917 as salesman. He has worked in many capacities and places with this company. At present (1931) is superintendent of south eastern district Wisconsin.

He has a summer home at Lauderdale Lakes, WI. He is a charter member and past master of the Masonic Lodge. He is a member of the Chapter, Council, Commandery and Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Patron of Kenosha Chapter O.E.S #92 for a season. Was at one time a member of the Christian Church. Is a liberal Republican. He had three brothers and several cousins who served in World War I. He had another brother in the Navy for a time. He is greatly interested in the history of the Hitch family and sent the compiler much data written in a most interesting style.

Eva Bell, his wife, was the daughter of Charles E. Bell and Fannie Roush, both of Oakland City and Princeton, In. She has a splendid soprano voice and takes an active interest in her family. She has marked business ability, a good financier. Her hobbies are bridge, five hundred and dancing at which she is very skilled."

In the Federal Census of 1920, Allen S. Hitch is listed in Whitewater, Walworth County, Wisconsin in a household as follows: - Allen S. Hitch, age 30, born in IN - Eva B. Hitch, age 26, born in IN - Eva L. Hitch, age 3 10/12, born in IN.

Allen married Eva Gertrude Bell, daughter of Charles E. Bell and Fannie Roush, on 13 Mar 1911.¹ (Eva Gertrude Bell was born on 29 Mar 1893 in Oakland City, IN,^{1 7 9} died on 28 Sep 1970 in Bradenton, Manatee Co., FL ^{8 10} and was buried abt Sep 31 1970 in Fogartyville Cemetery, Bradenton, FL.)