Hitchler, George William 1859- 1915

HITCHLER, BENSKIN, WALKER, PENTICO, MC QUOWN, PRICE, BROOMHALL, HANKE

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 5/2/2005 at 12:28:33

GEORGE HITCHLER HAS CHEST CRUSHED IN AUTO ACCIDENT

Metz Farmer Has Spell of Heart Trouble While At Wheel of Automobile. Accident occurred about four miles southwest of Metz at 10:30 Saturday night -- two others injured.

George Hitchler lies in a very precarious condition at the Wes Giles home, one mile south of the Bear Grove school house in Mound Prairie township as the result of an auto accident. His breast is literally crushed and his lungs are thought to have been punctured when the Ford car which he was driving turned turtle and hurled the driver, Mr. Hitchler, and two other men, Sam Clement of Metz and Rev. John Watterson of Fairfield from the car.

Mr. Hitchler's injuries were caused by his having been pinned beneath the steering wheel of the car. His vitality has surprised the attendant physicians and the opinion was expressed today that he might live if he were able to survive the day.

The accident occurred at 10:30 Saturday night. Mr. Hitchler, in company with Sam Clement and Rev. Watterson had driven to Prairie City with a Rev. Smith who was anxious to catch the night train for Des Moines, where he was to preach yesterday. All had attended the Saturday night services on the Champman farm. When returning home Mr. Hitchler was suddenly seized with a heart attack and was virtually paralyzed. He was driving about 10 miles an hour. No one in the car was aware of what had happened to the driver and in an instant the front wheels had turned, the car had somersaulted and had landed, headed in the opposite direction, in the ditch which lined the road. Wes Giles, who was in his barnyard nearby hastened to the scene of the accident. Mr. Hitchler lay clear of the car and was unconscious. Sam Clement was pinned underneath the car, his head being held between the car and the ground. Rev Watterson was also pinned underneath the car, his right leg and left arm being firmly held between the car and the highway.

Dr. Harp of Prairie City and Dr. Hill of Newton were immediately summoned and within an hour both physicians were present dressing the wounds and caring for the injured.

Rev. Watterson has several broken ribs as has also Mr. Hitchler. Mr. Clement was bruised on almost every part of his body. His neck was sorely twisted and the left side of his face was peeled from the ear to the shoulder.

Mr. Hitchler regained consciousness about 1:00 o'clock yesterday morning and told how the accident happened.

While it is extremely doubtful if he recovers, many of his friends will await with the utmost anxiety to hear that his recovery is probable. He is one of the best citizens of the county and he and his family will have the sympathy of the entire community in his terrible injury. ~ Newton Daily News, July 19, 1915

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GEORGE WILLIAM HITCHLER DIED AT WES GILES HOME EARLY THIS MORNING

Was Hurt in Auto Accident Near Bear Grove July 17 -- Died at Wes Giles Home. Deceased Leaves A Wife and Six Children -- Was A Highly Respected Citizen of Jasper County for Years

George William Hitchler, a prominent farmer of Mound Prairie Township died at 2:40 a.m. today. His death was brought about by serious injuries sustained in an automobile accident July 17. He was 56 years, 4 months, 17 days old at the time of his death.

On the night of the accident, Mr. Hitchler was driving his car home from Prairie City. He was accompanied by two companions. He had been driving leisurely when he was suddenly seized with a heart attack which rendered him virtually paralyzed. The car turned turtle and the driver was pinned beneath the steering wheel, crushing in his breast.

The accident occurred very near the Wes Giles home, and the injured man was taken there. Since that time it has been impossible to move him to his own home in the neighborhood, but his wife and children and the worthy neighbors cared for him very tenderly there. Last Wednesday, pneumonia added its ravages to the already serious symptoms, and from that time, Mr. Hitchler and his friends realized that he could not recover.

Mr. Hitchler leaves a wife and six children, the oldest son died in early childhood. Those who survive are--Mae, Mrs. Murray Walker of Monroe; Maude, Mrs. Roy Pentico; Viola, Mrs. Lee McQuown of Monroe; Pearl, Mrs. William Walker whose home is in Dakota; and John and Lola who are at home. The members of the family are counted amongst the more respected folks of Jasper County.

In speaking of the passing of Mr. Hitchler this morning, several businessmen remarked, "It is impossible to say anything good about George Hitchler that would be exaggerated. He was one of the best men in the country." He was a prominent member of the Metz Baptist church, in fact he was one of those who helped to establish it. His usefulness extended to every branch of his busy life in the community. Never in his busy life did he refuse to help a person who was in need of assistance. He was generous with his money as well as with his time and he gave liberally to every worthy cause. Everyone who knew him may honestly feel that the world is better because George Hitchler lived in it and even if his is gone from the community in which his life was spent, his spirit of kindliness will remain as a constant eulogy. ~ Newton Daily News, July 23, 1915

(Research):Obituary: George W. Hitchler

The Whole People Mourn -- Death of George W. Hitchler, a Loss Felt by All His Neighbors
George William Hitchler was born March 6, 1859, at the Wm. Hitchler home near Metz, in the vicinity where most of his life was spent. He and his family at one time resided at Murphy near Newton a few years, but he was a resident of Jasper county all his life. On September 19, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Benskin. To bless this happy union, God gave them one son, Ellis John, at home, and five daughters, vis. Mrs. Leota Maud Pentico, near Newton; Leona Mae Walker and Edna Viola McQuown, of Monroe; Della Pearl Walker of Geddes, South Dakota, and Miss Lola at home. The children, with their bereaved mother were all with the beloved father and husband at his death. The first born Alfred William, preceded him, having been spare to them but one brief year.

In 1896 Mr. Hitchler was converted and joined the M.P. church at Hixson Grove. At the organization of the Baptist church at Metz, he placed his membership with his many friends and neighbors here. He was elected as a member of the board of trustees and when his term expired he was reelected and was serving a second term. He was also one of the deacons. He was one of the foremost workers for the building of our sanctuary which he loved so well and which, at the time of his funeral, was so beautifully garlanded with flowers, strewn by loving hands, expressive of sorrow for the loss of their loved friend and brother, and sympathy for his bereaved ones.

Surely, with this death, our chain of membership is broken, and an important link is gone, gone only from us, and as God holds the great key of love, we hope it may be only more firmly sealed together, by our great loss, with a purer faith in Him, for the upbuilding of His cause, which was so dear to the departed one, as was conveyed by the text used in the discourse Sunday afternoon, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day."

The services were by Rev. Smith, whom he had taken to the train on that fatal Saturday night, and who had also conducted his services for a younger brother, since which time a warm tie of friendship existed between them. Rev. Smith was sadly touched by the loss of his friend. The services at the home were conducted by his present pastor, Rev. L.R. Daily, Rev. Young of Van Meter and Rev. Kirkwood of Newton, his former pastors, and Rev. Nash of Newton also assisted in the sad impressive services.

The casket was covered and surrounded by flowers, exquisite in beauty, among them, lilies in their pure emblematic of a pure and sincere Christian life. Sixty five automobiles and ninety-two other conveyances carried the large crowd, estimated at five hundred, who attested their esteem for a noble life of usefulness to God and kindness to his fellow man, as was his last act.

Beside his own family he is survived by his aged mother, who with his brother, M.A. Hitchler, reside at the home of his birth, and C.W. Hitchler of Perry, Iowa, who were at his bedside, and two sisters, Mrs. Nora Price of Buckner, Missouri, and Mrs. Mary Broomhall of Fullterton, Nebraska, who with Miss Fern Broomhall were here for the funeral. Mrs. Mary Hanke, a niece raised in his parental home, is in California and could not be here. Many other relatives and friends will ever hold his memory deal. Mrs. Hitchler's brothers, Joseph Benskin and wife of Laurel and Wm. Benskin and family of Des Moines were her, also - John Freeburn and Jas. Dow and families of Altoona, and Mrs. E.J. Griswold of Brooklyn. Many from Colfax, Prairie City and Newton were also present.

The pianist for the funeral was Miss Herzog and the choir was composed of Misses Tharp and Kating, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Walker and E.C. Emmack. The pall bearers were M.T. Miller, C.I. Miller, W.J. Miller, W.S. Henney, W.H. Brock, and J.H. Cannon - all cousins of the deceased. ~ Newton Daily News - July 1915