Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1910-03-19
ANOTHER PIoNEER CON E
To That Bourne From Whence No Trav-
eler Returns-Burled In Custer
Cemetery,

To That Bourne From Whence No Trav-
eler Returns-Burled IN Custer
| Cemetery.
JOSEPH E. PITCHER, Superintendent of
Wind Cave National Park, South Da-
kota, passed away at Wind Cave, at IL
o'clock Monday night, March IA; 1910.
He had been great sufferer for some
months, 80 the news of his death was
not unexpected, but none the less a
shock when it came; for as an early set
tier; a prominent citizen and member of
the Masonic Order, he was generally
liked.
The deceased was born at Racine,
Meigs county, Ohio, August Is, 1851,
died March IA, 1910, being aged So years,
6 months and 26 days.
He left Ohio for Indiana in 1868, 60
ing onto farm where he continued until
1871, when he engaged in the mercantile
business at indianapolis, continuing in
that business until 1878; then he went to
Colorado where he engaged in railroad
work. In 1882 he again embarked in
the mercantile business at Winslow,
Arizona.
Coming to the Black Hills in the fall
of 1882, he engaged with his brother
Charles in the hotel business at Dead
wood. He came to Custer in May, 1885,
and engaged in mining mica.
Brother Joseph E. Pitcher was the
first candidate made Master Mason in
Custer City lodge No. 66, A. F. & A. M.
His petition for membership being pre-
sented at the first meeting of the lodge,
July 23, 1884.
Initiated an Entered Apprentice,
August 27, 1884; passed to the degree of
Fellowcraftj September 10, 1884; and
raised to the sublime degree of Master
Mason, September "a, 1884. He has
served in the capacity of Secretary,
Treasurer, Junior and Senior Warden,
of the lodge, and was always active in
Masonic work.
He had also taken degrees up to the
l4th, in Lodge of Perfection, Scottish
Rite Masonry.
Leaving Custer in the fall of 1884, he
again engaged in railroad work, which
he followed until early in 1886.
He was married to Jennie A. Thornby
in Custer, February 10, 1886. To which
union two sons were born-Rufus ]. and
Warren T. who, with their mother, sur
vive him.
Joseph Pitcher was always a staunch
Republican and took an active interest
in politics, serving several terms as
chairman of the Republican county
committee. He was elected Register of
Deeds for Custer county, s. D., in 1885,
serving in that Office for four years.
From that time until 1907, he was in the
drug business in Custer. In 1893 he
was assistant secretary of the South
Dakota Senate. In May, 1909, he was
appointed Superintendent of the Wind
Cave National Park, in South Dakota,
which position he held at time of his
death.
The funeral services were held in the
Congregational church at o'clock p. IN.
Wednesday afternoon, under auspices of
Custer lodge No. 66, A. f. & A. NJ, and
was largely attended. Rev. X. W.
Powell preaching the sermon-the SER
vice being concluded by the solemn
ritual of the Masonic Order. His body
was inferred in the Custer cemetery
the Masons completing their impressive
burial service at the grave.
Thus passes a wise and loving father,
devoted husband, kind brother, a
loyal friend, an old settler and valued
citizen. "He will be missed for his
place is empty"