Robert John Hitch

Obituary of Robert John Hitch from the "El Paso Journal", Apr 19, 1934.

R. J. Hitch Dies Highly Respected Resident of This City for Many Years Dies Last Saturday -- Last Saturday the community was shocked to hear of the death of R. J. Hitch which occurred at his home on east Main street at 10:30 a.m. While he had not been in very good health all winter, he was able to be about as usual. Last Thursday he went to the home of his son in the country, when he fell. That night he suffered a heart attack from which he never fully recovered and he passed away at the time stated above. It is thought that the shock from the fall may have helped to bring on the attack. Robert John Hitch was born in Hull, England, February 16, 1857 Ed and Leah Coe Hitch and died in El Paso on April 14, 1934, aged 77 years, 1 month and 28 days. He was one of eleven children. He came to America with his parents in 1870 when he was 13 years old, and the family located on a farm south of Gridley. Mr. Hitch was married March 2, 1881, to Miss Anna McAfferty. They lived on a farm six miles southeast of here until in November, 1905, when they retired and moved to their present home. Deceased was a highly regarded citizen of this community, honest in all his dealings, and was a devoted husband and father. Surviving are the widow; one daughter, Mrs. Essie Johnson of Marion, Ohio, and two sons, Edward of Gridley and Alfred of Detroit, Mich. Another son, Elmer, preceded him in death on November 27, 1919 at the age of 29 years. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Nell Brown Bloomington, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:00 from Christian church of which the deceased was a member, conducted by the pastor, Rev. B. H. Sealock. Interment was in Evergreen cemetery. G. C. Coffman and Mrs. Jesse Zieglar sang two selections, with Mrs. Coffman accompanying. Among those from away who attended were Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hitch, Detroit, Mich.; Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson, Marion, Ohio; Mrs. Elmer Brown, Bloomington; Mrs. Mary Gasperson, Jasper, Mo.; Curtis Carver, CCC camp in Wisconsin; Mrs. Harry Greacht, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Winn, Springfield; Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Shepard, Normal; Mrs. Willard Watts and Mrs. Eva Whetzel, Forrest.

  Events

• Naturalization, 04 Nov 1878, McLean Co., IL. ⁹

Robert married Elizabeth Anna McAfferty, daughter of Joel McAfferty and Sarah A. Swarthout, on 02 Mar 1881 in McLean Co., IL.^{1 2} (Elizabeth Anna McAfferty was born in Apr 1854 in IN,^{3 7 10 11} died on 22 Nov 1942 in El Paso, Woodford Co., IL ^{3 7 8} and was buried about 26 Nov 1942 in Evergreen Cemetery, El Paso, Woodford Co., IL ⁷.)