Alexander Hitch, farmer and stock-raiser P. O. Cook’s Mills one of the early settlers; was born in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 9, 1827; moved to Ohio with his parents when he was 1 year old; he was raised there, in Ross Co., and in 1850 he came from Ohio to this State and settled in Coles Co. He was married May 10, 1855, to Miss Permelia Ellis, who was born in Kentucky Oct. 13, 1833; they have had four children, three of whom are living, viz., Belle, Sarah L. and Melissa E.; deceased, Francis Marion. The farm of Mr. Hitch consists of 200 acres, valued at $5,000; since Mr. Hitch’s residence in the township he has held office of School Director three years. Of the farm he now owns, eighty acres of it he purchased from the R. R. Co. in 1862; the balance, which consists of 120 acres, he has since purchased, the entire amount of which he has made by his own labor and management. Since 1860 he been a member of the Missionary Baptist Association, and in 1863 he was ordained Deacon in that denomination.
