John S. Hitch

In biography in the "Family Records of Washington" (DAR - 1938), it states that John Hitch was a pioneer of Washington in 1891. He was born in Burlington, Iowa on July 9, 1840, the son of Isaac (of Delaware) and Matilda (Stobaugh of Virginia and died in Iowa) Hitch. John died in California and was buried in West Union, Iowa. He married Addie A. Ablett in Iowa on March 10, 1867, she the daughter of Thomas (b. Indiana, d. 1863 in Iowa) and Shoemaker (d. 1865 in Iowa) Ablett of England. Addie was born in Indiana on March 27, 1847 and died in 1929 in Port Angeles, Washington. John and Addie had children Ely Sherman (12/9/1867-10/19/1906) who married Addie Sturdevant on 10/25/1905; Lillie Alice (8/17/1871 in IA to 11/28/1921) who married Alfred Greerson on 5/30/1900; and Addie Blanche (b. 1/25/1878 in CA) who married Norman Sturdevant on 10/14/1900. Addie and Norman Sturdevant have children Harvey H. (12/10/1901-??), Forest Francis (2/25/1903 - 4/8/1915), Neva Norma (1/14/1908 - 5/8/1908), and Vernon T. (3/25/1910-??)

John Hitch enlisted on August 15, 1862 at age 22 to join Company F of the 34th Iowa Infantry (USA) as a Private. His enlistment states he was a native and resident of West Union, Iowa and mustered-in on September 25, 1862 for a 3-year term. He transferred to Company A of the 38th Iowa and mustered-out in Houston, Texas on August 15, 1865. In the "Family Records of Washington" (DAR - 1938), it states this about John Hitch's Civil War service record: John Hitch enlisted in the Civil War in Fayette Co., IA on August 15, 1862 and mustered-in on November 4, 1862 as a Private in Capt. James J. Welshs Co. A, 38th Geg. Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was tranferred to Co. F of the 34th Iowa. He was honorably discharged in Houston, TX on August 15, 1865 at the end of the war. His brother Lorenzo D. Hitch also served in Co. A of the 38th Iowa.

In the Federal Census of 1870, John Hitch is listed in a household in Fayette County, Iowa (120 in Pleasant Valley Township) as follows: - John Hitch, age 28, farmer, born in IA - Adda Hitch, age 21, born in IN - Sherman Hitch, age 2, born in IA.

John S. Hitch and family moved from Iowa to California sometime between 1872 and 1878.

In the Federal Census of 1880, John S. Hitch is listed in a household in Shasta County, California as follows: - John S. Hitch, age 40, born in IA - Ada A. Hitch, age 31, born in IN - Eli S. Hitch, age 12, born in IA - Lillie A. Hitch, age 8, born in IA - Addie B. Hitch, age 2, born in CA.

In the Federal Census of 1900, John Hitch is listed in a household in Port Angeles, Clallam County, Washington as follows: - John Hitch, born 7/1840 in IA - Addie Hitch, born 3/1850 in IN - Sherman Hitch, born 12/1867 in IA - Blanche Hitch, born 1/1888 in CA - James R. Tudor, born in England.

The Obituary of John Hitch appeared as follows in a Clallam County newspaper:

"John Hitch ( d 3-18-1937 )

John Hitch, 96 year old Civil War veteran, who was the last surviving member of the 38th Regiment Iowa Volunteers which lost 200 officers and men by disease during the siege of Vicksburg, was taken to a local hospital at 6 last evening and died 2 hours later. His passing leaves only 2 members of the once proud Pacific Post, GAR--F M Wait and Tex Reynolds.

John Hitch was born on Jul 9, 1940 at Burlington, IA. When 22 he enlisted in the 38th Regiment Iowa Volunteers in Capt. J J Welsh's company at West Union, IA, commanded by Colonel David H Hughes. He served with the 38th in the siege of Vicksburg, in which the regiment lost 200 men and officers from disease and at one time Mr. Hitch was one of 20 men in the entire regiment fit for duty. So decimated was the 38th by disease and casualties that it was later merged with the 34th Iowa. He served in the siege and capture of Fort Morgan and in the siege of Mobile, being actively engaged with troops capturing Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley. Mr. Hitch also served on detached duty as one of the main foragers for General Sherman's troops and often told of harrowing experiences of his foraging detail as it invaded farms to secure food for a northern army that was "living off the country."

"It wasn't very nice going onto farms and finding women and children there alone, and having to dig up their buried hams and bacons and drive off their horses and stock, but we were in the army and under orders," said Mr. Hitch. "And then again, the Johnnies were always taking pot-shots at us foragers so the odds were about even." He was discharged from the army at Houston, Texas in 1865. On March 10, 1867 he was joined in marriage to Miss Ada A. Ablett at West Union, Iowa. Mrs. Hitch died in Port Angeles on June 11, 1929.

From Iowa, Mr. Hitch took his family into northern California and operated a hotel at Mott, near the base of Mount Shasta, and later operated several mills in the northern California. The family moved to Port Angeles 45 years ago to take up lots when the reserve was opened, and it is significant that he took up a lot at 5th and Lincoln Streets, where the Grand Army Hall now stands. Here he built a plain board "shack" and resided there for a time. Later he purchased other property. He was a life member in the Masonic order and had served Pacific Post Grand Army of the Republic as sergeant-major in 1911 and as quartermaster for 3 consecutive years. He has been a constant attendant at Memorial services for his many departed comrades, all of them his junior in point of years at the time of their deaths.

Mr. Hitch was a great walker and up until a few days of his death would walk to town and chat with friends and acquaintances. He had a fine philosophy of living and had made painstaking preparations for his passing, selecting the very casket he wished to be laid away in. He is mourned by his beloved daughter, Mrs. Norman W Sturdevant, of Port Angeles and 2 grandsons, Vernon and Harvey Sturdevant, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Norman W Sturdevant.

Funeral services for Mr. Hitch will be held Monday at 2pm from the Christman Mortuary with Port Angeles Lodge #69, Free and Accepted Masons, in charge. Mr. Hitch was the last living charter member of the Lodge, having been affiliated with it from an eastern lodge in 1891 and was a life member. Burial will be at Ocean View Cemetery."

John married Ada Amanda (Addie) Ablett, daughter of Thomas Ablett and Marie Marine, on 10 Mar 1867 in IA.¹ (Ada Amanda (Addie) Ablett was born on 27 Mar 1847 in IN,^{1 8 9} died on 11 Jun 1929 in Port Angeles, Clallam Co., WA ^{1 10} and was buried about 14 Jun 1929 in Ocean View Cemetery, Port Angeles, Clallam Co., WA ¹.)