Dwight B. Hitchcock, a retired business man of Windham, was born in this town on February 3, 1830, being the son of Lucius and Eveline (Hayes) Hitchcock. He is a grandson of Lemuel Hitchcock, a native of Connecticut, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Greene County, coming first to Durham.
Later Lemuel Hitchcock removed to that part of Windham known as Big Hollow, where he settled, and subsequently remained until his death, at the age of seventy-five. He had ten children. His first home here was a log cabin; but later, as increasing prosperity attended him, he erected a large frame house. He was one of the prominent men in this part of Greene County, and during the Revolution served the country as a military officer, holding the rank of Lieutenant.
Lucius Hitchcock was born in Durham. He was brought up on a farm, and all his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He built a house in Big Hollow near that of his father, and there made his home to the end of his days. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious faith he followed the teachings of his father and was a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife, Eveline, who died at the age of forty-six, was born in Granby, Mass., and was one of a family of ten children. Her father, Luther Hayes, who was a saddler of that town, settled eventually in Durham, where he died at the age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Lucius Hitchcock were the parents of five children. Four of these are living, namely: Dwight B.; Platt O.; Harriet, who married the late George P. Townsend, of Windham; and William.
Dwight B. Hitchcock lived with his parents in Big Hollow, and helped on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began working out by the month. His habits were frugal. He saved his wages, and eventually bought a farm near his father's. There he remained ten years. He then removed to Ashland, and, in company with Mr. R. L. Parsons, bought out a store, where he carried on business for five years. Selling out at the end of that time, he came to Windham and went into partnership with John Patterson. After twelve years of successful enterprise he retired from business. Mr. Hitchcock's place is one of the finest in Windham. It is known as the Colonel Robertson homestead.
Mr. Hitchcock has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Julia Atwater, died in her thirtieth year. She was born in Big Hollow. Her father, Alfred Atwater, farmed for some time in Big Hollow, later for twenty years in Windham, and finally removed to Colorado, where he died. Mrs. Julia A. Hitchcock was the mother of two children, neither of whom is living. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Hitchcock's second wife, also a native of Windham, was before her marriage Sarah R. Barney. Her parents were Ahira and Lydia (Robertson) Barney, and her grandparents were Aaron and Rebecca (Saxton) Barney. Her grandfather, Aaron, was a native of New Hampshire, but came to Windham in early manhood and began work as a journeyman carpenter, settling near the village. He lived to a good old age. He is well remembered as the builder of the tanneries in this section. Rebecca, his wife, died at the age of thirty-four years, having been the mother of three children. She was a native of Rensselaerville, of which place her parents were early settlers.
Ahira Barney, who died in his seventieth year, carried on a farm where the cemetery now lies. He was a lifelong resident of this locality, having been born in the town and reared in the village. His wife, Lydia, was a daughter of Colonel James Robertson, who was one of the first to take up and clear land in the town of Windham. He was a prominent man in these parts, very active in all public affairs. He died at the age of seventy-eight. Of his eight children two are living: James, of Oswego County, New York; and Elbert, who resides in Washington, D. C. Mrs. Lydia R. Barney died at the age of eighty-one. Of her four children one son, Elbert, died in 1896, and the other, Samuel, died at the age of twelve years. The living are: Mrs. Hitchcock and Mrs. L. V. Brisack. Mrs. Hitchcock's parents and grandparents were members of the Presbyterian church.
Politically, Mr. Hitchcock is a Republican. He has always taken an active share in local matters and in all questions of public interest. He and Mrs. Hitchcock are members of the Presbyterian church and active workers in that body. Mr. Hitchcock is an Elder of the church.