The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1915-06-17
MITCHELL'S HALL OF FAME

national fame than.rny dozen of 9TH
or towns or cities in Iowa. After
five years of life in Maquoketa, the
family again moved. this time to
A~nalnosa. Iowa. where his parents
lived until their death.
Between the ages of 16 and 10,
Abner Hitchcock did the work of a
baker. AT 10 he began teaching
country school. With the money he
had saved and with more money that
he earned while in college, he made
his way through what was then call
ed the Agricultural college at Ames.
la. He received his diploma with the
1856 Centennial class. 1t was his de-
sire TO study law, but he had not the
money To pay for the required course.
And so he resumed his teaching.
serving three years as principal of
the Rockford. Iowa, town schools.
He was then able to proceed with his
education ard continued in the law
school of the Iowa state university
until he received his degree in June.
1880. He vas one of six out of a
l lltisr VI wv w HtlINtI tIIlIeilttItltI
orations.
Came Direct to Mitchell.
Since his graduation from the law
lschool, Mr.. Hitchcock has had but
lone location for the practice of his
profession. He came to Mitchell in
September. 1880, and has resided
here continuously ever since. He was
active from the first as a loyal citi-
zen of Mitchell. Appropriately enough
IN view OF his later services. he as
SISTED III the organization of the town
of Mitchell in 1881. He was also a
rharter member of the local Masonic
lodge and was active in it for many
Years, filling the principal offices OF
the various Masonic bodies at differ
ent times.
Mr.. Hitchcock's first office by tho
viii of the voters OF Mitchell was that
OF city attorney. He served in that
capacity from 1887 to 1893. From
1891 10 1893 he was states attor.
ney for Dawson county. BY this
lime he had attracted Attentions Owe
the new state OF South Dakota and
he was made trustee OF the state ag'
ricultural college at ~Brookings, hold
ing this position from 1891 to 1894
He also acted as trustee for Dakota
Wesleyan university for a number OF
Years. Mr.. Hitchcock was a member
Of the Mitchell school board from
1894 to 1896.
In 1896, when so many men chang
ed their politics, Mr.. Hitchcock lef'
The Republican organization and be
came a Democrat. He has remained
with that party eyer since, though be
ing ultra-independent for Il party
man.
In 1892, Mr.. Hitchcock joined the
Congregational church and has re
manned a member of it ever since
He has not. however. been a partisan
denominationalist, being rather,liber
al and charitable in his religion:
views.
In 1903 Mr.. Hitchcock was chosen
mayor OF Mitchell and has served
continuously since that date. In 1916
he was selected; as a member of the
state board of regents, which hay
charge of all the state educationa
institutions.
Services for the City.
AS mayor of Mitchell. Mr.. Hitch
cock has been exceedingly generous
of his time and his services. He has
never hesitated to make whatever
personal sacrifice might be necessary
for the welfare of the city's interests
Under his administration, marked
progress has been made in the city's
improvements, as Mr.. Hitchcock is
by disposition a builder. Notable
among the changes that have beer
wrought in the city are the construc-
tion of q virtually new sewer system
for the whole city, the paving of Main
street, the installation of boulevard
~Ilalnps for Main street and a great
many other lesser improvements.
Mayor Hitchcock has been perhaps
more vigorous in his defense OF the
city's interests in a long controversy
with the owners of the local tele-
phone franchise. Through his efforts
an earning tax amounting to Il good
many thousands of dollars was col
lected from this company under its
franchise. He has at all times con-
franchise with the telephone company
that would operate to h best adj
vantage of the people OF Mitchell.
This contest with the telephone COM
pany is still under way, but the scene
lof operations. has been transferred
|for the time to the courts.
In his handling of the tele-
phone question, Mayor Hitch
lcock has had the continued sup
port of the voters Of Mitchell. as
they, have, had full confidence that
he would drive the best possible bar
tgain to he made.
His Work for tho State.
AS a member Of the board of re-
gents, Mr.. Hitchcock established a
lnew standard of service. Duties that
lhad been regarded as mere formali-
lties he began taking seriously. When
any account or any action of any
state institution was submitted to