William Hitchcock, proprietor of the Hitchcock Dry Good Company of Augusta, is one of Butler county's most progressive merchants. He is a native of Kansas, born at Circleville, and is a son of William and Mary (Hart) Hitchcock, who were the parents of four children, as follows: Charles, farmer, Belle Plaine, Kans.; Holton, merchant at El Dorado; Mrs. Fannie Swallow, Wichita, Kans., and William, the subject of this sketch.

William Hitchcock received his education in the public schools, and has been brought up in the mercantile business. When a boy he began clerking in a general store at Belle Plaine, Kans., and soon afterwards embarked in business with his father and brother at Syracuse, Kans., conducting a store there from 1886 until 1890. He then came to El Doado, Kans., and in partnership with his father and brother, Holton, opened a general store. They were unusually successful in this venture, and it developed into the leading department store of the county. In 1910, William disposed of his interest to his brother, and engaged in the dry goods business at Hutchinson. In 1912 he sold his Hutchinson business, and came to Augusta, engaging in the dry goods business under the firm name of the Hitchcock Dry Goods Company, which is one of the enterprising mercantile institutions of that progressive city. Mr. Hitchcock carries a complete line of dry goods and ladies furnishings, and since coming to Augusta has built up a large business and earned a reputation for square dealing and honest goods. His stock is of a high class assortment, and he carries many of the best known makes of high class goods, and his store is a model of up-to-date merchandising. Mr. Hitchcock's force of clerks is an efficient organization and the many customers of this store are always assured of good value, good service and courteous treatment.

Mr. Hitchcock was united in marriage at El Dorado, Kans. in 1896, to Miss Bertha Bourne of that city. Four children have been born to this union, as follows: Frances, graduate of the Augusta High School, class of 1914, and now a student in Kansas University, Lawrence, Kans.; William, a student of the Augusta High School, and a member of the class of 1917; Everett, also a student in the Augusta High School and a member of the freshman class, and Constance, who resides at home. Mr. Hitchcock is one of the progressive business men of Augusta, and takes a keen interest in the development and welfare of his adopted city.

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