Hitchcock, Harriett Emily 1826-1909

HITCHCOCK, GRINNELL

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/4/2012 at 08:22:43

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; Aug. 31, 1909

OBITUARY.

MRS. HARRIETT E. HITCHCOCK.

Harriett Emily Hitchcock was born near Leyden, N.Y., March 31, 1826. Her life ended at the home of her only daughter, Mrs. George Grinnell of this city on the 24th inst.

When about seven years of age she accompanied her father, mother and younger brothers to their new home in Parma, Ohio, where she remained until she was married to Walter G. Hitchcock, January 1, 1851.

They resided in Cleveland two or three years, when the western fever caught them and carried them to Whiteside county, Illinois, where they lived the pioneer life which their fathers and mothers had been through in Ohio. She was young and courageous and passed through all of the hardships of the frontier life bravely and happily. Two children were born to her in her prairie home--F.C. Hitchcock of Fort Collins, Colo., and Mrs. George Grinnell of this city.

She came of brave revolutionary stock; her great grandfather, whom she remembered, was a revolutionary soldier, having fought seven years for his country. She was quiet and unassuming, a devoted mother and homemaker, never going much abroad. There are those who are born to be served and those who are born to serve; she must have been one of the latter as her greatest pleasure in life seemed to be to do something for others, if not for her own people then for a neighbor or friend or the stranger within the gates. She was a dear, sweet, womanly woman, whom to know was to love.

She did what she could and her children rise up and call her blessed. It has been Mrs. Grinnell's privilege to have her mother with her during her last twenty-one years of life, and it has been a pleasure to all in the family. Interested in all the world's ongoing, she was welcome everywhere.

The funeral was held on the 26th inst., Professor L.F. Parker officiating. The only son was present from Fort Collins, Colo.