William Clarke Hitchens 1880 - 1939

HITCHENS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen -- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/8/2018 at 11:00:06

The Ute Independent
19 May 1939

William Clarke Hitchens, son of Samuel T. and Margaret Hitchens, was born in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, December 28, 1880 and departed this life May 8, 1939, at the age of 58 years, 4 months and 10 days. In 1885 he moved with his parents to Plainview, Nebraska, where he resided for ten years. On May 15, 1895, he came to Ute, Iowa, where he received his high school education, graduating with the class of 1901. Afterward he departed for South Dakota where he spent two years on a homestead. While there he taught school, later entering Judge Graybill’s land office. Before returning home he installed the heating plant in the government school for Indians at Chamberlain, South Dakota. On his return to Ute he found employment for three years with the telephone company.

At the death of his father in 1908, he took charge of the hardware store which he successfully managed until his death.

He took an active part in all community affairs serving to town 26 years in the capacity of town clerk and mayor He was also a member of the local band and the different church choirs. He was a 32d degree Mason and a member of the Eastern Star and Consistory. He had the distinction of serving as worthy patron the greatest number of years of any member in the State of Iowa.

At the time of his death he was serving as president of the telephone company, vice president and director of the bank and treasurer of the Ute Building Company and treasurer of Loyalty Masonic lodge.

He leaves to mourn his passing, five sisters: Mrs. Alice Phillippe of Basin, Wyoming; Mrs. Anne Sankey of Ute, Iowa; Mrs. Pearl Riley of Hay Springs, Nebraska; Mrs. Etta Shriner of O’Neal, Nebraska and Mrs. Lillian Marn of Ute, Iowa; five nieces and five nephews; Gerald Phillippe pf Schenectady, New York; Mrs. Margaret Cheney, Rock Island, Illinois; Hazel and Leone Sankey, Sioux City, Iowa; Lucille and Clifford Sankey, Ute; Billy, Jimmie and Claire Marn, Ute; Peggy Pearl Riley, Hay Springs, Nebraska and a host of other relatives and friends.

Those of his immediate family who have preceded him in death are his father, mother, sisters; Mary, Clara, Maggie, Hazel and brother, Ralph.

Ute has lost a valuable citizen and he will be sorely missed by many in the community who sought his advice and counsel which he was never too busy to give.

Funeral services were held at the Christion church Thursday afternoon, May 11, Rev. B.A. Gann of Onawa, officiating. Burial was in St. Clair Cemetery.