Edwin Lewis Hitch ²

In the book, "Portraits of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois" (1891 - DAR Library), it gives a short biography of Edwin Hitch. It states that he was the son of Lewis Hitch of Delaware whose father died while he was young, so he set out to Pike Co., IL while he was still a boy. Lewis married Mary McLean (McClain) of KY and who died at age 30. They had 4 children including Cyrus and Edwin Hitch. Edwin was born in 1843 in Barry, IL. Cyrus was the only sibling still living in 1891. Edwin Hitch married Mary Simpkin (born 12/22/1845), the daughter of Thomas Simpkin and Ann Wharton, both of Yorkshire, England. (Page 286)

In the Federal Census of 1860, E. Hitch is indicated in Griggsville Township, Pike County, Illinois (page 253) in the household of John McClain as follows: - E. Hitch, age 17, laborer, born in IL.

From Pike Co., IL Democrat Newspaper Abstracts 1867 Published Jan 31, 1867 MARRIED On the 2_rd inst., by the Rev. Thom. BONNELL at the residence of the bride's mother, Mr. Edwin HITCH, to Miss Mary SIMPKIN, all of Pike Co., IL Thanks for the greenback. May a kind Providence grant that the fair bride shall never find herself poorly hitched or badly matched. We have no fears. The happy couple have our warmest congrat- ulations

EDWIN HITCH - Died in Griggsville, Ills., January 29th, 1877, of gastro duodenistis, or inflammation of the stomach and bowels, Edwin Hitch, in his 34th year. The subject of the above notice was born near Barry, Ills., September 25th, 1843, and was married to Miss Mary Simpkin, of Griggsville, January 22d, 1867. Those few words sum up the history of a man who was called in the prime of life to leave his family and friends and give up his share in the business and pleasures of the world. Not without some regret did he resign himself to the inevitable decree, but when the summons came in unmistakable fore, he met his fate with calmness and made his farewells in direct and well selected words to every member of his family present. He was endowed by nature with a genial disposition and strong feelings, but a firm and resolute purpose governed all his actions....He will long be missed in business circles, in society and in the order of which he was an honored member, but nowhere will the loss fall so heavily as upon the sorrow stricken family, who way the grave close over an affectionate husband, father and brother. [Pike Co. Democrat, 1 Feb 1877]

Edwin married Mary E. Simpkins, daughter of Thomas Simpkins and Ann Wharton, on 23 Jan 1867 in Pike Co., IL.^{1 2} (Mary E. Simpkins was born on 22 Dec 1845 in IL,^{6 7 8 9 10} died on 11 Dec 1930 in Griggsville, Pike Co., IL ^{1 4 11} and was buried on 13 Dec 1930 in Griggsville Cemetery, Griggsville, Pike Co., IL ⁴.)

From the "Pike County, Illinois "Democrat" Newspaper Abstracts, 1867 -------------------------------------- Published Jan 31, 1867 MARRIED On the 2_rd inst., by the Rev. Thom. Bonnell at the residence of the bride's mother, Mr. Edwin Hitch, to Miss Mary Simpkin, all of Pike Co., IL. Thanks for the greenback. May a kind Providence grant that the fair bride shall never find herself poorly hitched or badly matched. We have no fears. The happy couple have our warmest congratulations.