James Edgar (Ed) Hitch ²

The following is from a family history sent to me by Stephen J. Hitch of Kent, WA in 1997:

"James Edgar Hitch: Born March 7. 1887 in Big Mound, Iowa of English, Scotch, and Irish descent. He was the second child of four born to Thomas Smulling Hitch born May 6, 1847 in Clermont Co, IA (sic - OH) and Maria Louise Lane born June 2, 1854 in Forked River, NJ. Ed had three sisters, Mary Ethel born Nov. 7, 1885, Nellie Maria born April 28, 1891, and Anna Marjorie born May 14, 1897. They farmed in the neighborhood of Hillsboro, Iowa. In the spring of 1903 the family moved to another farm in Cumberland, WI. At Business School in Cumberland, in 1906 Ed met Cora Isabella Fahlstrom, she was born Jan. 5, 1887 in Cumberland, WI. They began a relationship that developed into a permanent bonding. Ed's Mother became very ill, so Cora, being a practical nurse, went to their home to care for her. Mother Hitch suffered terrible pain and died May 15, 1908 in Cumberland, WI from what was diagnosed as inflammation of the spine. She was buried in the Hillsboro, Iowa cemetery May 19, 1908. Ed and Cora were married Nov. 26, 1908 in Kandiyohi, MN and began their married life in Cumberland, WI. When they set up housekeeping Ed's father and youngest sister, Marge came to live with them. His Father lived with Ed and his family until his death October 21, 1928. Ed worked for the telephone company doing line work and Cora operated a telephone switchboard in their home. About 1912 the family moved to Svea, MN and in 1916 they moved to Olivia, MN. In 1917 the family moved West to Reardon, WA, later moving to Harrington.

In Harrington, Ed worked in the office of the Washington Water & Power Company from 1917-22. The family moved further West, to Everett, WA in 1922 first living on Chestnut Street in the Riverside District. Later moving uptown to 2323 Wetmore, and from there to a small farm two miles past Lowell and rented from Cora's Dad. To help supplement Ed's income during the depression they had a couple milk cows, some chickens, a garden and a few fruit trees. In 1928 the family purchased a home at 4417 Rucker in South Everett near the totem pole which was their final home. Ed did a lot of remodeling. Their home was often shared with relatives or friends who needed temporary housing which often turned into long term housing. In the early "20's" Ed and two of Cora's brothers, Vern and Al worked on the electrical work in the Stevens Pass tunnel when it was being built. Ed was a Journeyman Electrician and worked for several electrical contractors, but mainly Jones Electric and Standard Electric in Everett, WA. He was foreman on several large jobs, one of the larger was wiring the barracks at Paine Field. In 1945 Ed hung up his tools and became State Electrical Inspector, a position he held until his death. He was on his way to an inspection when he was killed in an automobile accident Nov. 8, 1955 in South Everett. Cora was a homemaker, switchboard operator, and office worker for the Rationing Board during the war. For many years she did a lot of volunteer work for the American Association of the Blind. Both Cora and Ed were active in lodge work belonging to several organizations. Ed's favorite was the Masonic Lodge, he particularly enjoyed dressing up in his Shriner's uniform especially the plumed hat. He was very interested in the Shriner's philanthropic work with crippled children. They enjoyed their family and went on many picnics with their children and grandchildren and friends. They enjoyed taking their grandchildren to the Shrine Circus, and other special events, also camping in the summer.

After Ed died Cora was alone, so she sold the home and moved to an apartment in Everett. After a lingering illness Cora died April 15, 1975 of cardiac decomposition and arteriosclerosis. They are both entombed at View Crest Abbey in North Everett."

In the Federal Census of 1920, James Hitch is listed in a household in Harrington, Lincoln County, Washington as follows: - James Hitch, age 32, born in IA - Cora Hitch, age 32, born in WI - Louise Hitch, age 10, born in WI - Kenneth Hitch, age 8, born in WI - Harvey Hitch, age 6, born in MN - Joyce Hitch, age 5, born in ?? - Margaret Hitch, age 1 5/12, born in WA - Thomas Hitch, age 72, born in OH.

Died in an automobile accident in South Everett, Washington.

James married Cora Isabella Fahlstrom, daughter of Johan Nicholas Fahlstrom and Anna Fredrika Nystrom, on 26 Nov 1908 in Kandiyohi, MN.¹ (Cora Isabella Fahlstrom was born on 05 Jan 1887 in Cumberland, WI,^{1 5 6} died on 15 Apr 1975 in Everett, WA ^{1 7} and was buried about 18 Apr 1975 in View Crest Abbey, North Everett, WA ¹.)