The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-05-20
Tne Death of Curtis Hatch,

lhe Dcatn Oh
As was briefly announced in these columns
in the issue of the 18th, took place last week
upon Tuesday at twelve o'clock M.
The sad event, though not taking the pub
lie by surprise, created sensation of depres-
sion through the entire community, among
whom he had SO many years occupied prom
inent position as a business man and good cit
| izen. In looking over the, record of very
few years, the survivor sees the great changes
wrought in our midst, as one and another have
been taken and vacancies have been made in
many circle that seemed almost too secure
to be broken. Yet all fulfill the mission to
them allotted, and daily all are verging to the
great fate of mortality,
The knelI, the shroud, the mattock and the
The deep, damp vault the darkness, AMI the wormi'
and still to man
| tsDeath is the crown of life )"
Curtis Hatch was born in Morgan, Orleans
County, Vermont, Dec. 23d, 1910. He was
the youngest of his family, and at the tender
of age three years was motherless, and when
ten years more had passed away he was faith
erless and thrust upon the mercy of the sell
fish world, at the period when was most
needed, the bright, cheerful, supporting atmos-
this time until he reached the age of twenty
one, he resided in the town of Holland in his
native county-his time and labors being di-
vided between the farms of two brothers.
The educational advantages afforded by the
common schools, were in a large measure de-
MED him by the tasks he was daily expected
to accomplish. Arrived at his majority, he
entered the employ of Dea. Newton at Nor
wich, Vermont-the proprietor of Drug
Store and manufacturer of Newton's Bitters.
For several years he remained in this employ
ment. In 1884, in company with Samuel
Goddard, he penetrated the then west, de-
posting medicines on commission for Dea.
Newton. A portion of the four succeeding
years was passed in Ravenna. In 1888 he
married the wife who survives him, at Nor
wich, Vermont. Immediately AFTER Goddard
& Hatch opened a Drug Store in Ravenna.-
This partnership continued about four years
ter partnership was formed under the name
! of Swift and Hatch uniting the stores of each
partner. This arrangement continued for
three years, and again Mr.. Hatch spent some
two years in travelling, depositing medicines
on Commission on his own account. This
was succeeded by his purchase of the Drug
Store of J. S. Leffingwell, and since that time
he has successfully continued in that business
Mr.. Hatch possessed generous, genial ma
ture, and as a tradesman, was popular to a
degree that but few men attain. His life was
one of great regularity, and his devotion to
his business was marked, and the assiduity
with which all his energies were expended in
its behalf doubtless accelerated the inroads OF
the disease which finally overcame vitality.
He possessed shrewd, active mind, and his
business career was a successful one, though
avarice and closeness were not qualities of his.
At an early age, he became professor of
religion, and steadfastly adhered to the great
faith until the end.
The disease which counts him as one of its
|
gree was inherited. For only two months
before his death he was prevented from de-
voting his time to his business-and for four
weeks only was confined to his room. Dur
ing this time the disease made galloping
strides, and medical skill was baff1ed in en-
deavoring to afford him relief. Some four
weeks previous to his decease he was assisted
from his bed, and standing by window fac
ing the rising sun as it made glorious and
lovely the beauty of the new born spring, he
looked long and quietly upon the scene be-
fore him, and with the remark "this is a
pleasant world''-returned to his bed which
he never again left. During his illness he
was great sufferer and yet no word of COM
plant escaped him. He was all cheerfulness
all kindness and all gratitude to his attend
ants-and as one who was most with him te
the last expressed it, his sick room was most
inviting. He died willingly, without desire
to hold on to the feeting charms of earth, and
full of the joy and resignation that fills the
christians soul. That in life he prepared fol
death is witnessed by the development O.
many preparations made, unknown to all, fol
a permanent withdrawal from the scenes anc
places that were won't to know him. He laic
himself down upon his sick bed, never expect
ing to be a well man, and so was happily
ready to meet the summons that came fo
him,
'' Like one who draws the irapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant Dreams"
The funeral obsequies were attended OF
Thursday from the late residence of the de
ceased. During the hours of the ceremonies
the business places in Ravenna Remained
closed, and many citizens assembled to pa,
! their last tribute to a former associate, towns
man and friend.
Mrs r. and Mrs. K, casually meeting o,
: Main Street. Rauerana, the Jozzowing cozloqu.
" ensues:
Mrs. R.-Good morning, Mrs. K.
: Mrs. K.-Good morning, Mrs R.