New Britain herald., 1930-02-27

I'll IlDtilINI ISt', siH II. I'I't'i| |'4 10 be called. was a man whose entire life was actuatod hy feelings Of sym pathv for others. Although he lived 10 the age of 7G years. most of the tune in modest circumstances, h. had no thought for himself but devoted all his personal time 10 his hohbH of helping others, Described by a. friend 3s 'tho man with heart as hj@ us a ton ton trucIl." ho had boso iudi- rcctly responsible for briN1iue hap pinoss and cheer 10 many homes in this city.
 "Hc Was a fine old gentleman and spent his life doing good for others" said Prosecuting Attorney Joseph C. Woods last evening when told lhut Mr. Hotchbiss had died.
 Born On Farm
 Born on a farm near Sandosltuld, Mass. just across tho Ina from Con nocticut, Mr. ITotchkis9 once told q friend on the Herald sta0 that his "carly life was as hard as tIu rocks or his fathers farm and his future looked aa barren as the fields on December morning.
 He spent his carly childhood in Colebrook, where ho was graduated from what was known as "the rock schoolhouso" At the ago of II years, having received all the schooIin@ the little country school was equipped to offer, he went 10 work on @ farm. The figure Of poverty which haunted him all his life horn made it's pres ence fnIt again. "ThcH hired Iii" for $f month and they still owe me the S4." he told a friend a short time ago.
 He remained on this farm until he was l9 years of age. when ho left to try his fortunes at hOUs" to house pcddling. While he never claimed 10 be the original of the famous story "Skiuuv the Tin Poddl"r' his physl- cal build and the fact that lo spent 30 wears going from door to door tbroughout New England selling household articles made many be- 1icye that he was one Of the rictur- csmc figures whom the humorlst 1 had in mind.
 Later he procured q horse and wagon, and for many years covered il route selling teas, coffee and spices from house to house. dellYer- ing his goods and the customary premiums to housewives along the i country roads. He saw New Eng land develop from rural 10 a metropolitan district such as few men have had the opportunity to sec. 1 He knew every road in Connecticut l in the days when paved roads and 'horscless carriages were visions Of 1 the future.
 | In 1914, while in charge Of an agency for teas, coffee and the usual line of merchandise handled by tla old time tea company his firm sent 1 him to New Britain. Ho was or dorcd 10 remain here for six weeks. He stayed 1G years.
 Opens Store
 The misfortune which doggod his ! footsteps did not overlook him when he came to this city and before tn" six weeks had passed his employer s entire stock was destroyed hy fire. Hotchkiss then purchased from his late employer the old horse and wagon which had served him so faithfully, and took over the routc as his personal business He opened a store on Rockwell avenue which he conducted until he was 70 years of age.
 Reaching the traditional three score and ten" he decided to retire. But you cant live long by just loafng." he said so after 4 brief period of inactivity he obtained a position at Landers, lrary X Clark's where he worked until a week ago when stricken with his fatal illness.
 Hotchkiss, and he objected during his life to being called anything but plain Bill" was conspicuous in this city for his welfare work. He was one of the organizers of fyerymon's $ Bible class, was general of the White army with the exception of one year as long as that army existed and was T vice president Of the class at the time of his dcath He was all officer and active member Of Phoenix Temple of Honor and an ac- tive member of the Trinity Mcth- odist church.
 It was as founder and president Of the NickeI-A-Weeb club that he was best known.
 While general of the White army ot the ENeryman's Bible class when that class was strong. he conceived the idea of inaugurating novel and original fund for the holp of needy cases not usually brought to the at tention of the city welfare depart ment or other welfare agencies.
 Organizes Club
 Gathering a group of mon at his home one evening he proposed the plan of each member of d club de