Hitch, William R. (W. R. )

Born on Sept. 20, 1839 in Ross County, Ohio
Died on Nov. 18, 1922 in York, NE. Buried in Geneva, NE.
Married to Nancy S. Ferguson at DeWitt, IL on March 18, 1876.
Parents of Harvey and Grandparents of Clyde E. and Harold.
He moved from Ohio to McLean County, IL in the spring of 1858.
In 1883, he and his wife and son moved to Crete, NE.
In 1884, they moved to Geneva, NE where he engaged in the mercantile business until July 26, 1910.
In May of 1884, W. R. Hitch of Crete rented the Dempster building at 972 G Street formerly occupied by Thomas Ough and opened a grocery, crockery, and glassware store.
In June of 1884, W. R. Hitch moved his grocery store to 918 G Street.
In 1884, he also owned a share in the skating rink that was located south of the courthouse square.
In March of 1887, W. R. Hitch and Son sold their restaurant at 872 G Street to Shumway and Alexander.
In August of 1888, Hitch and Rathbun rented the Fisher store rooms at 874/878 G Street and moved their store.
In 1890 W. R. Hitch rented the double store building in the new Citizen’s Bank building at 117 No. 9th Street and sold general stock.
In July of 1910, W. R. Hitch retired and sold his interest in the firm of Newton Hitch at 848 G Street to L. O. Swails. The new firm went by the name Hitch & Swails.
He was a member of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the treasurer of the church during the erection of the building used at the time of his death.

In July of 1910, W. R. Hitch retired and sold his interest in the firm of Newton Hitch at 848 G Street to L. O. Swails. The new firm went by the name Hitch & Swails.
He was a member of Odd Fellows and the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the treasurer of the church during the erection of the building used at the time of his death.