Joseph Jackson Hutchings (1888)

BELL, HUTCHINGS, WINTRODE

Posted By: Ida Morse
Date: 4/9/2006 at 21:00:42

Winterset Madisonian and Chronicle
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, May 3, 1888
Page 1

Death of Joseph J. Hutchings

Mr. Hutchings passed from earth at 10 o’clock on the morning of Friday, April 27th, 1888. He has for years been a sufferer from palsy. On the Monday preceding his death he had a stoke of paralysis and from that time until his death he was unconscious, at the last quietly and easily passing away.

Mr. Hutchings was born in Clark county, Indiana, on the 29th day of November 1825, and at the time of his death was 62 years of age. In 1849 he moved to Davis county, Iowa, remaing one year. He then returned to Indiana. In 1851 he again transferred his residence to Iowa, first going to Newton, reaching Winterset in August of that year. He has resided at Winterset ever since-nearly thirty-seven years. Mr. Hutchings gave his attention to the real estate business, buying and selling land and thus laid the foundation of the comforatable (comfortable) fortune he has left. At his death he was president of the Citizens’ National Bank.

Mr. Hutchings was always an active business man; straightforward in all his dealings. There was never complaint that he attempted to overreach any person with whom he had business transactions. He never oppressed a debtor, and few times, if ever, does his name appear on the court records as plaintiff.

In all matters of public benefit, Mr. Hutchings was deeply interested. No public enterprise went forward without his assistance. On all moral questions he was decided and prominent. Never an office-seeker, he was an earnest and active republican. He was not in the army, but the union cause found in him a stanch supporter, and the needy soldier’s family never asked of him to be denied.

Mr. Hutchings was of a very sympathetic nature, and the afflictions or distresses of his fellow-citizens excited in him the liveliest sympathy, and many a one has had quiet assistance from him. Mr. Hutchings will be greatly missed by the community, especially by those of his friends now year by year growing less in number who knew him in the fifties. Mr. Hutchings was buried Sabbath afternoon. A large concourse attended his remains to the cemetery. The services at the grave were conducted by Temple Commandery, of Des Moines, escorted by the Winterset Masonic Lodge, of which bodies he was a member.

We tender to the bereaved family the sympathy of all our people.
________________________

The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, May 2, 1888
Page 4, Column 3

At Rest.

Joseph Jackson Hutchings, born November 29, 1825, died April 27, 1888.

Mr. Hutchings was of English origin. His ancestors crossed the Atlantic and located in Maryland about the middle of the last century afterwards removing to Virginia. His father was one of the pioneers of Indiana, a resident of Clark county where J. J. Hutchings was born and raised on a farm. His educational advantages for such as were furnished by a subscription school supported largely by members of the Friends. He does laid the foundation for his subsequent career and life.

1849 when but 23 years of age, he came to Iowa, stopping temporarily in Davis county and then in Jasper county teaching a term or two in the district schools and finally locating in Madison County in 1851. Here he again taught school for a couple of terms but soon established himself as a real estate dealer, in which business he was successful and acquired to a great extent large amount of property he owned in the later years of his life.

In 1865 he was one of the organizers of, and stockholders in, the National Bank of Winterset and in 1872 took a leading part in the organization of the Citizen’s National Bank of Winterset and became its first President and by successive reelections held the position until his death.

In the business enterprises of a more public character in the county he has ever been one of the master minds and foremost workers. It was under the leadership of Mister Hutchings, and a few other hardy spirits like his, that the railroad to Winterset was constructed in the two court houses built. In all his business relations, whether in dealing with the people were managing the bank of which he was president, he inspired confidence by his strict integrity and upright conduct.

In politics he was an ardent Republican and at one time a leader in the councils of the county and known extensively throughout the state.

In social life he had many friends and when in health he put in many hours with boon companions in keen enjoyment and social cheer. On all moral questions his influence was always found on the right side, and upholder of order, virtue, probity, temperance, ever ready to assist the unfortunate and indigent and to contribute to benevolent or patriotic purposes.

He has for many years been a member of the Masonic order having taken the higher degrees in masonry and at his death was a Sir Knight; the Knight Templars conducting the ceremonies at his funeral.

In 1856 he was married to Mary Bell who survives him with their only child, Mrs. J. H. Wintrode.

Mr. Hutchings and family entertainment extensively and hundreds of friends will look back with keenest pleasure on the happy hours spent with him and them and the good cheer of that household. In recent years disease fastened itself upon him and made life less cheerful, more burdensome, but peace and quiet ensconced his fellow and he is at rest with the kind remembrance of friends who sympathy goes out unmeasured to his family.

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