James Madison Hite

James M. Hite. deceased, was for many years a successful and enterprising agriculturist of Dayton township and was respected by all who knew him. He was born in Ohio, July 5, 1833, and departed this life on the 28th day of August, 1893, being then sixty years of age. His parents were David and Elizabeth Hite, who came to this county when their son James was a youth of fifteen years. The father was for many years actively engaged in blacksmithing in the city of Dayton, Ohio,* and later turned his attention to farming. In the family were six children: Benjamin, deceased : David, who is living in Nebraska; James M.; Albert, deceased; Alcinda, who is living in Ottawa; and Fidelia, the wife of Benjamin Babcock, a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa.

James M. Hite spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and, as stated, came with his parents to La Salle county at the age of fifteen years, after which he resided continuously in this locality until called to his final rest. He was married February 22, 1864, to Miss Martha M. Jones, who was born in Massachusetts, June 20. 1846, a daughter of John R. and Mercy M. (Higley) Jones. The father, who was born June 24, 1808, died on the old home farm in Serena township, this county, January 22, 1891, in the eighty-third year of his age. His wife, whose birth occurred November 8, 1811, died in Serena township, October I, 1874. They had been married in the east on the 23d of March, 1832, and in 1855 came to La Salle county, settling on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Serena township, whereon they continued to reside for many years. In their family were nine children. Harriet D., born December 18, 1833, is the wife of Charles Hoxey, a resident of Nebraska; Henry A., now deceased, was born February 19, 1835, married Louisa Leonard and made his home in Iowa. Ellen C., born September 7, 1836, is the widow of Joseph Bagley and is living in La Salle county. Sarah E., born July 12, 1838, is the deceased wife of Adolphus McInturf, of Serena township. Esther C., born September 30, 1839, is the wife of Thomas Leonard, who is living in Iowa. Mary A., born May 26, 1843, is the wife of George Morton, whose home is near Leland, Illinois. Mrs. Hite is the seventh of the family. William T., born May 4. 1849, married Sarah Smith, a resident of La Salle county. John P., born August 18, 1854, married Henrietta Pool, of Serena town- ship, and is living in Woolstock.

Following his marriage Mr. Hite resided in Wallace township for about eight years, purchas- ing and operating a farm there. On the expiration of that period he removed to a farm on section 8, Dayton township, securing two hundred and forty acres of land known as the Yager place. He made it his home until death, which was occasioned by cancer. He lived an active and useful life, working earnestly and persistently year after year and gaining as the result of his energy and labor a very gratifying competence. which enabled him to provide a comfortable living for his family. Únto him and his wife were born ten children. Elmer, born January 16, 1865. married Lucy Trimble, a resident of Illinois, has four children and is living in Kansas. Elnora, born January 15, 1867, is the wife of Thomas J. Collins, a resident of Ottawa, and they have one child. Edward, born April 20, 1868, married Gertrude J. Ellenwood, has three children and resides in Kansas. The next member of the family died in infancy. Minerva, born December 17, 1870, is the wife of William D. Whistler, a farmer of Serena township, and has one child. Martha E., born November 17, 1873, is the wife of Oliver H. Thompson, who resides on a farm near Sheridan, and they have one child. Alcinda, born January 2, 1876, is the wife of John J. McGrath, a resident farmer of Wallace township. Elsie, born February 19. 1879, is the wife of John F. Whistler, of Aurora, Illinois, and has two children. Fidelia, born December 4, 1880, is at home. Rae, born April 17, 1885, is the wife of William Osborne, living on a farm in Ottawa township. The children have all been provided with excellent educational privileges and five of them have received certificates and taught school. Some of them have attained considerable proficiency in music.

In his political views Mr. Hite was a democrat and he served as school director but otherwise would hold no public offices. He did not believe in secret nor fraternal organizations. He was a supporter of the Baptist church, to which his family also belongs, and he lived an honest, up- right life in every respect, being trustworthy at all times and thus winning the unqualified esteem of his fellowmen. He was faithful in citizenship, loyal in friendship and was a kind and loving husband and father. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Hite has continued to manage the farm through the assistance of employees and she displays excellent business ability and keen executive force.1

  1. U. J. Hoffman, History of La Salle County, Illinois (Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1906), pp. 744-747.