By: Mark Holtsberry
Ulysses Hitchcock was born March 10, 1896 in Putnam County, Ohio. The son of John, born in May of 1856 in Ohio and Ida Madora (Barnard) Hitchcock born October 6, 1856 in Ohio. This couple married October 6, 1878 in Putnam County. By 1909, the Hitchcock family was living in Jackson Township, Putnam County.
Ulysses was the youngest as he had older brothers, Oscar and Raymond and a sister Ada. By 1910, the family was living in Union, Putnam County. The family had grown because a daughter in law, Vida, grandson Homer, granddaughters, Lydia and Nellie were living with them. Oscar died December 10, 1908 in Monroe, Michigan from a meningeal hemorrhage.
Ulysses moved to Oakwood before 1915. On June 24, 1916, he joined the National Guard out of Paulding. He served with Company B. 2nd Ohio National Guard. He was listed as 5’6″, dark hair, brown eyes, fair complexion and a farmer by trade. Ulysses met a gal named Bertha Helen Hedrick. They married July 8, 1917. Bertha was born May 7, 1899 in Defiance, Ohio.
Ulysses served with Company B. until he transferred to Company B. of the 4th Infantry Ohio National Guard, (or also known as Company B. 166th Infantry). On July 15, Ulysses was assigned to the National Army. Promoted to Private First Class, September 10, 1917.
On October 18, 1917, he set sail for France on the ship, Mallory. He was reduced to Private, November 4, 1917, then promoted to Private First Class September 20, 1918. He saw action in Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St.Michiel, Meuse-Argonne defensive sector.
Wounded in action, July 28, 1918 and again October 30, 1918. He was Honorably Discharged February 14, 1919 at Camp Sherman, Ohio. By 1920, Ulysses and Bertha were living in Richland County, Ohio. He was a machinist at the steel mill and they were living at West Third Street.
On January 23, 1923 a son George was born. Followed by another son, John R. September 15, 1925. By 1928, Ulysses and Bertha were separated and by 1930, they were divorced. Ulysses moved to San Bernardino, California. By 1935, Ulysses and sons were living in St. Louis, Missouri.
By 1940, the three Hitchcock men were living in San Bernardino, California. Ulysses was working as a carpenter, the boys both in school. Ulysses had to register for the World War Two draft, he was not chosen, but his two boys were.
On February 4, 1944, Ulysses married a gal named Ethel D. Stevens in Chihuahua, Mexico. On March 23, 1947, Ulysses’ first wife, Bertha died. She was buried in Pasadena, California. In 1950, Ulysses found himself at Dottinger Sant Tuberculosis Institution, in Monrovia, California.
On Sunday June 18, 1950, Ulysses passed away. He had been a contractor for the last fourteen years. Services were held at 10:00 a.m. at the chapel of Douglass and Bradbury Mortuary. Rev. Paul V. Goodwin officiating.
Burial was at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California. Section G. Lot 7098, Space 1. It is unknown what ever happened to Ethel.
… Until Next Time!
