William H. "Bill" Hitchens
Marriages
Ellen Blight
Edith Young - 1885
Burial Details
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot - January 4, 1945
Funeral services for William M. HITCHENS, pioneer resident of Routt county, who died at his home here last Friday, were held Tuesday afternoon from the Methodist church. Rev. Cecil P. SIMPSON was in charge of the services and music was furnished by a quartet composed of Margaret SIMPSON, Ruth BEVERLY, Ray MONSON and Ben GILBERT with Mrs. Pauline HAILE at the organ. Pallbearers were Ed FLEMING, W. I. STEES, Elwood STONEBRINK, Don ANDREW, Clarence SCHAEFERMEYER, and Lyle REASONER, all members of the Odd Fellows lodge of which Mr. HITCHES had long been a loyal member. The lodge also had charge of the graveside services at the Steamboat cemetery with Elwood BRADLEY acting as noble grand and Sam STEPHENS as chaplain.
William H. HITCHENS was born in Cornwall, England, January 20, 1861. He came to the United States in 1879 and found employment in the steel works at Johnstown, Pa. However, the boundless west was calling and in 1880 he joined the throng at the booming mining camp of Central City where he engaged in mining. He and three other miners worked for John Q. A. ROLLINS, early day operator, and they ran a cross cut on the Perrigo mine which yielded a small fortune. He also did some leasing on his own.
Work in the mines was affecting his health and on learning of the new country being opened tot he west, Mr. HITCHENS joined several others on a horseback trip to Routt county. He liked the country so well that he located on the Elk river in 1886, his firs section being at what is now called Hitchens lake. He brought his family here the next year and acquired additional land which he developed to a high state of cultivation.
In 1885 William HITCHENS was married to Miss Edith YOUNG, native of Yorkshire. She died in 1889 and a few years later he married Miss Ellen BLIGHT, a native of Cornwall. Mrs. HITCHENS died about two years ago.
Surviving him are one son, Percy of Moffat county, and a daughter, Mrs. Rita WOODCOCK of Fruita. Fay HITCHENS of Steamboat Springs is a grandson.
Bill HITCHENS was intensely loyal to the land of his adoption. He was a strong Republican in national affairs, having cast his vote for every Republican candidate since James A. Garfield. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge for more than 40 years, most of which he was very active in its affairs. He and his wife lived on a ranch property until about 13 years ago when they moved to Steamboat Springs.
