Hotchkiss, Orson O.

HOTCHKISS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 23:37:55

Orson O. Hotchkiss

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.628)
ORSON O. HOTCHKISS, an ex-soldier of the late war and for many years a railroad man, now resides on a farm in Section 2, Wright Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. He bought land here in 1881 and took up his residence on it in 1888.

Mr. HOTCHKISS was born in Kane County, Illinois, near Geneva, December 20, 1837. His father, Wallace HOTCHKISS, one of the first settlers of Kane County, was born in Tioga County, New York, son of Gillian HOTCHKISS. He traced his ancestry back to seven brothers in England, who, on account of their politics and religion, were banished from their native country by the king. The maiden name of Mr. HOTCHKISS' mother was Lucy CARVER. She was born in New York, a descendant of German ancestry. Many years ago, the CARVER family was a prominent one in Germany in both church and state. They were exiled from that country and came to America. Wallace and Lucy HOTCHKISS located in Kane County, Illinois, about the year 1834, and lived there until 1859 when they moved to Bourbon County, Kansas, where they spent the residue of their lives, the father dying at the age of sixty-five years and the mother in 1880 at the age of sixty-three. Mr. HOTCHKISS was a farmer all his life. His political views were those of the Democratic party. He and his worthy companion reared a family of eight children, six of whom are living, viz.: Orson O., David, a resident of Kansas; Mary, in Dakota; Alice, in Kansas; and Carver and Nancy, also in that State. Burt, deceased, was a member of a Kansas regiment and served through the War for his country.

The subject of our sketch remained on the farm until he was seventeen years old, receiving his education in the pioneer schools of Kane County. He was then employed to carry water for the workmen who were building the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad through Kane County. Some time later, he obtained a situation as brakeman on that road, which position he resigned during the Pike's Peak excitement; and with a company, he set out for the west. From Pike's Peak, he went overland to California, where, for two years, he was engaged in mining, ranching and freighting. In 1861 he returned to his home in Illinois, and in September of that year enlisted in Company A, a cavalry company, which was attached to the Fifty-Second Illinois Infantry, Colonel WILLSON and Lieutenant Colonel Ed JOSLYN, the latter a prominent lawyer and politician. His company was stationed at St. Louis where the Captain was provost-marshal for a time. Later, with a portion of the 4th Ohio Cavalry, they acted as body-guard for General HALLECK, forming a battalion. From Pittsburg Landing, Mr. HOTCHKISS was all through the campaign, fighting along the lines to Corinth. Two months and a half he was confined in a hospital in Jacksonville, Illinois, after which he was discharged for general disability. He returned to Kane County and some time afterward again obtained a situation as a brakeman. Not long afterward, his faithfulness, honesty and ability were recognized by his employers and he was promoted to a higher position.

In 1867 he resigned to accept a situation as an engineer on the Northwestern Railroad, then being built through Iowa. He joined the force at Jefferson, took charge of engines and the making up of trains, and it was he who took the first passenger engine into Council Bluffs on the Northwestern Railroad. It was No. 33, a wood-burner. Some time after this, Mr. HOTCHKISS again returned to Aurora, Illinois and accepted a position as engineer on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He was afterward promoted, and ran the best passenger engine on the road. It was attached to the fast mail train which ran between Chicago and Aurora. During the great strike, February 4, 1888, Mr. HOTCHKISS retired from railroad life. He had spent thirty years on the road, had met with many trials and hair-breadth escapes, and at that time he decided to pass the declining years of his life in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1888, he built a fine residence, modern style, at a cost of $1,600. He also made other improvements on this farm, which comprises 120 acres and is now pleasantly situated.

Mr. HOTCHKISS has been twice married. His first companion was nee Mary McDONALD, daughter of John and Lucinda (VAUGHN) McDONALD. She died in 1867, leaving one son, Frederick, who was a fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and who was killed in March 1876 at the age of eighteen years. February 10, 1870, our subject wedded Miss Mary Roxanna McDONALD, a native of Steuben County, New York. She is a daughter of William McDONALD, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this book, and was fourteen years old when she came with her parents to Bureau County, Illinois. His second union has been blessed with four children: Willie and Wallie (twins), Savilla and Mary.

Mr. HOTCHKISS is a member of the Brotherhood of Engineers, Division No. 32, Aurora, Illinois. In politics, he is a Democrat. He still retains many of the characteristics of the railroad man; is sincere and outspoken, cordial and respectful to all.