George William Hitchler
Born: 6 March 1859 near Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa
Died: July 23, 1915 near Prairie City, Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 62, plot 3
Lot Owner: George Hitchler, purchased in 1882
Married: Lida Benskin on September 19, 1882 at Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa
Children: Alfred William "Alfie", Leota Maude Iske, Leona Mae Walker, Edna Viola McQuown, Ellis John Hitchler, Della Pearl Walker, and Lola Ruth Baty
Parents: G. William and Nancy (Miller) Hitchler
Biographical Sketch: George W. Hitchler
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 Chapman 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
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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. Las 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
Lida Florence (Benskin) Hitchler
Born: December 19, 1858 in Richland Co., Illinois
Died: January 8, 1939 in Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 62, plot 1
Married: George Hitchler on September 19, 1882 at Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa
Children: Alfred William "Alfie", Leota Maude Iske, Leona Mae Walker, Edna Viola McQuown, Ellis John Hitchler, Della Pearl Walker, and Lola Ruth Baty
Parents: Wesley John and Jane (Millington) Benskin
Woman, 80, and Pioneer dies Sunday
Mrs. Lida Florence Hitchler, 80, who has been ill at her home near Metz for the past 3 weeks of pneumonia and heart trouble, died Sunday evening. Funeral services has been arranged for Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 at the Murdock funeral home with interment in Sugar Grove Cemetery. Mrs. Hitchler was born December 19, 1858 in Richland Co., Illinois, the daughter of Wesley and Jane Benskin. She was united in marriage to George William Hitchler on September 19, 1882 and had resided in Jasper Co. for the past 60 years. Mr. Hitchler farmed in the Metz neighborhood until his death in 1915.
One of seven children born to this union died in infancy. Surviving are 6 children, Mrs. David Iske of Laurel, Mrs. Lee McQuown of Cylinder, Ia., Mrs. Murray Walker, John Hitchler, Mrs. Will Walker, & Mrs. Roy Baty all of Newton. Besides 43 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, she is also survived by 2 sisters and 4 brothers; Mrs. Dora Bullington of Indiana, Mrs. Jess Fitch of Cleveland, Ohio, John Charles and Bert Benskin of Flora, Illinois and Will Benskin of Des Moines. She was a member of the Metz Baptist Church. Note: There is a picture of Lydia Benskin on the front page of the Newton Daily News on January 10, 1939. ~ Newton Daily News, January 9, 1939
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Funeral Services: Lida Benskin Hitchler
Funeral services for Mrs. Lida F. Hitchler, 80, who died Sunday at her home near Newton were conducted from the Murdoch funeral home Wednesday afternoon with interment in the Sugar Grove cemetery. Rev. Irving R. Bowers of the Full Gospel church and Rev. Clyde McDonald of Des Moines were in charge. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Hubert Walker, Ivan Walker, George Hitchler, Elsmer Walker, Kenneth Iske, and Leland McQuown. Mrs. Edith Pink and Miss Florence Miller were in charge of flowers. Music was furnished by Mrs. Otto McNees and Mrs. Ben Simons accompanied by Miss Lois Hundling. They sang "Jesus Loves Even Me" and "Hold the Fort."
Mrs. Hitchler was born December 19, 1858 in Richland county, Il, and was united in marriage to George William Hitchler on September 19, 1882 and has resided in Jasper county for the past 60 years. Mr. Hitchler was engaged in farming in the Metz neighborhood until his death in 1915. Six of the seven children surviving are Mrs. David Iske of Laurel, Mrs. Lee McQuown of Cylinder, and Mrs. Murry Walker, John Hitchler, Mrs. Will Walker and Mrs. Roy Baty of Newton. Also 43 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren besides two sisters and four brothers: Mrs. Dora Bullington of Indiana, Mrs. Jess Fitch of Cleveland, Ohio, John, Charles and Bert Benskin of Flora, IL, and Will Benskin of Des Moines. - Newton Daily News
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Will Filed
A paper purporting to be the last will and testament of Lida F. Hitchler has been filed with the clerk of district court. In the paper it is provided that $100 each be given to daughters Leona May Walker, Leota Maud Pentico, Edna Viola McQuown, Della Pearl Walker and Lola Townsend Baty. It is further provided that the residue of the property go to her son, Ellis John Hitchler "because he has been my help and stand by since his father's death." The paper also provided that in the event son Ellis John Hitchler died before his mother that the property should be divided with one-sixth shares to each of the daughters and one-sixth share to John Hitchler's children. Ellis John Hitchler is named as executor. The paper was dated Jan. 18, 1921. ~ Newton Daily News, January 16, 1939.
Alfred William "Alfie" Hitchler
Born: 25 Aug 1883 near Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa
Died: 5 Sep 1884 near Metz, Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 62, plot 4
Parents: W. George and Lida (Benskin) Hitchler