Hittle in Indiana

OHIO ROOTS

With Indiana being granted statehood in 1816, it didn't take long for members of the Hittle family to venture across the line from Greene, Preble, Miami, Butler and Hamilton Counties in Ohio.

RUSH COUNTY

One branch of the Hittle family found Rush County, Indiana to be a convenient place in which to settle. Four sons of George Michael (jr) and Christina (Hartzell) Hittle of Columbia County, Pennsylvania (David, George, Michael, and Isaac) called Rush County home at somepoint in their western migration. 2 of them, George and Michael moved into Rush County nearly as soon as it was opened to settlement in 1821. Younger brother Isaac arrived before 1824. Oldest brother David did not arrive until 1835.

George is found in early records of the county as an election overseer in the first election ever held in the county. At least 2 of George's children married in Rush County in the early 1820's (Jonas and Elizabeth) before this family group moved on to Tazewell County, Illinois.

Michael Hittle is also listed as an "original land owner" of Rush County, and lived there until the 1840's when he and his now grown children moved on to what later became Monroe County, Iowa. Two of Michael's sons remained in Rush County, George and Nicholas, and were members of the Ben Davis Creek Christian Church. Michael's son George is often confused with his uncle, all the way back to their previous stop in Greene County, Ohio.

Isaac Hittle arrived slightly later than his older brothers George and Michael, but continued to live in Union Township, Rush County until his death in 1866. He, along with his wife Margaret, is also buried in the Ben Davis Creek Christian Church cemetery. Many descendants of Isaac, and his nephews George and Nicholas are also interred there.

David Hittle, eldest of the four brothers, remained in Columbia County, Pennsylvania until their father's death in 1828, likely expecting to be the recipient of his father's "plantation" there. The reading of George Michael's will did not so provide for David. He remained as the tenant manager of part of the plantation until after the 1834 harvest, but began appearing in Rush County records in 1835. David remained in Rush County for about 9 years, but later, as an old man, moved with several of his children's families to Marshall County, Indiana, dying there in 1846.

The largest number of Hittles in Indiana appear to have descended from Michael's sons George and Nicholas. Very few of "brother" George's family can be found in Indiana as most trace their roots back to Tazewell County, Illinois. Isaac's family is likely the second largest contingiency, with David's son Joseph being the progenitor of most (but not all) of the Hittles in northern Indiana.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

In 1835 a German immigrant named Philip Hittle arrived in Cincinnatti, Ohio, but soon moved his family to Franklin County, Indiana on Salt Fork Creek. Philip and Sophranna had at least 3 sons, George Adam, Michael and Andrew, whose descendants settled in many of the same areas as Michael and Isaac's family in eastern central Indiana, on up to the Lafayette area.

WAYNE COUNTY

Squire L. Hittle, whose origins do not appear to be definitely established, but likely to be a son of Solomon Hittel of Preble County, Ohio, settled into Wayne County early in the history of that area, with various places in Richmond being attributed to either him, or his family. John P. Hittle, a resident of Rush County in the mid-1800's, is likely Squire's brother, although that does not seem to be documented for certain.

DARKE COUNTY, OHIO

Located just across the line from Jay County, Indiana there were several Hittle families. Over the years several descendants moved from Darke into northeastern Indiana. These families' lines have been confused in both gedcoms and in the personal belief of family members over the years due to an unclear understanding of which Nicholas Hittle of Pennsylvania 2 of the major Hittle branches in Darke County descend.

Nicholas Hittle, born 1772 in Pennsylvania and died in 1846 in Darke County, Ohio was NOT directly related to Benjamin Hittle (1813-1885), who married Mary Riegle in Darke County in 1839 and spent the remainder of his days there.

Benjamin Hittle did descend from a Nicholas Hittle from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. But Benjamin was a great-grandson of Johannes Peter Hittel (1720-1764), grandson of Nicholas (1748-1825), and son of John Hittle who died in Pickaway County, Ohio in 1833.

Nicholas Hittle (1772-1846), who died in Darke County, Ohio, WAS the son of the immigrant Nicholas Hittel (~1740-1813), who arrived in 1764 on the ship Boston, settled into Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania near Pine Grove (originally Berks County), and died in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania in 1813.

Further compounding the confusion is that Peter's son Nicholas (1748-1825) and Nicholas (~1740-1813) of 1764 arrival were within 10 years in age and both appear without distinction from each other in the various Pennsylvania Archives series volumes.

LAND SPECULATION

Two of the major holders of Indiana land acquired from the government (Bureau of Land Management) were Dr. Jacob Hittle of Butler County, Ohio, and Squire L. Hittle from Wayne County. Jacob Hittle had many holdings in Ohio and Indiana, while Squire L. had holdings in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa. It is unclear if there was a direct relational link between Jacob and Squire, but their practise of buying land and then selling it on contract was similar. Dr. Jacob Hittle also descends from Johannes Peter Hittel, via Peter's son Nicholas. Sellers Hittel, instrumental in the establishment of the Detroit Free Press was this Jacob Hittle's first cousin, no removals.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES

Later Hittle immigrants from Europe, as well as others whose lines back to known ancestors are blurred, began to appear in Indiana as early as the 1850 census, which was the first to have the enrollees declare their birthplace.

It should be noted that even the 4 major branches of the Hittle name cited in this piece have NO documented connection to each other (ie Georg Michael, Johannes Peter, Nicholas and Philip). Family legend suggests that Georg Michael (sr) and Johannes Peter were brothers, and old Northampton County, Pennsylvania records seem to indicate that they had to be very aware of each other. But, that is as close as anyone has come to establishing any relationship between Michael and Peter.

The tribute paid to Theodore Henry Hittel, son of Dr. Jacob Hittle, by the California Academy of Science in the 19-teens, declares that Jacob's grandfather, Peter Hittel, came to America in 1820 (which cannot be totally accurate, given Peter's death record at St. Paul's Lutheran (Blue) Church of Northampton County, which has him dying in 1764 at age 43) with a brother. That brother is not named, but this account seems likely to be in line with family legend which suggests that Michael was Peter's older brother. What is unclear is how and when the legend began, and whether or not Theodore's tribute reported it, or whether it was the beginning of the legend.

CONCLUSION

Indiana has become "home" for a substantial number of Hittles, from the early origins of the state. Not all are known to be directly related, and even many of those who are do not know which line they belong to. Discussion and research is being continued on this family at www.hittle.info. Further contributions and discussions welcomed.