Hattie E. PITKIN was born in Kent, Iowa April 15, 1881, the fourth child of Frank and Rose (JOY) PITKIN. Her grandparents, James and Mary Jane (MOSBY) JOY, had come to Kent to make their home in 1871.

The PITKINS, which would later be a family of eleven, parents, four boys and 5 girls, made their home in Kent, where Hattie spent her toddler years and started in a one room schoolhouse with Mr. I. F. WRIGHT as her teacher.

The PITKIN family moved to Shannon City when Hattie was about seven-years-old. The move was made in horse and wagon, and they lived in the first house east of town. Frank PITKIN was a cattle dealer and rode a horse to work daily.

Hattie graduated from Shannon City High School with the class of 1899, the other member being Roy MILLER. Hattie stayed at home a few years, and then decided to go into the teaching profession. Her first duties were at the Lone Ridge School in Pleasant Township [Union County], boarding with Exy LAKE for the two years she taught there. She taught 3 months in Platte Township [Union County]. She taught at several different rural schools in Union County, one at Nevinville, and ten years at Arispe. Her last ten years of teaching was spent with the 8th graders at Coin, Iowa while C. H. KEHO was superintendent. She retired after 31 years in the profession, going from a one-room schoolhouse where she did all the work, even janitorial - to the quite modern schoolhouse in Coin.

Hattie touched many students' lives, teaching them not only from the books, but how to be good men and women throughout their lives.

Following her retirement from the teaching field, Hattie made her home with her brother, Bryan, on a farm south of Arispe. Bryan farmed, raised hogs, and gave Hattie a hand with her flock of chickens. Bryan built two large chicken houses, and Hattie raised the chickens, up to 800 at a time. When they became the right weight, they would haul them to town and sell them alive. "I sure don't dress that many", Hattie has stated. They were sold for about $.10 a chicken. Hattie had a lovely flower garden at this time with 75 to 80 roses, also phlox and carnations in abundance.

Hattie attended church at Kent, Grant Center and Arispe where she still has her membership.

In 1969 Hattie and Bryan moved to Afton where they lived and Bryan died. Hattie remained in the home until 1983 when she became a resident of the Afton Care Center.

During the years Hattie has enjoyed needlework. She has made some beautiful pillows, and afghans using embroidery, crewel, needlepoint, crotchet, and knitting, - all beautifully done.

She has seen many, many changes throughout her 105 years (which she states has passed so quickly), and cannot really name one as being the most outstanding.

Hattie has ridden on horses, buggies, wagons, automobiles of all vintages, buses and trains. However, until they make an airplane in which she can drag one foot on the ground, she'll pass that experience.

Hattie attends many of the activities in the Center and around town, and still enjoys her fancy work.

NOTE: Hattie Emma PITKIN died at the aged of 105 years on December 28, 1986, Afton, Iowa. She was interred at Oakland Cemetery south of Shannon City, Iowa, beside her brother Bryan Delbert PTIKIN (1899-1975).

SOURCE: Arispe Centennial: 1887-1987 p. 217. 1987

Transciption by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2010