OBIT: Robert S. HITCHCOCK, 1891, Hollidaysburg, Blair County, PA

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R. S. HITCHCOCK, D.D.
DEATH OF A LEADING CITIZEN OF HOLLIDAYSBURG.
A Severe Cold Culminating in La Grippe Takes Away the Able Principal of 
the Young Ladies' Seminary - He Had Been Ill Nine Days and on Sunday 
Appeared Somewhat Better.
AN ABLE SCHOLAR AND AN EXCELLENT MAN
Born in Rhode Island in 1818 He Lived a Life of Usefulness - Funeral 
Services To-Day.

  We are indebted to a leading citizen of Hollidaysburg, of high 
classical attainments, for the following excellent account of the life 
history of the late Dr. Robert S. Hitchcock, principal of the Young 
Ladies' seminary at that place:
  The entire community was shocked yesterday morning to learn that Rev. 
Robert S. Hitchcock, D.D., had died during the night after an illness 
of nine days' duration.  He was attacked by a severe cold, resulting in 
grip on Saturday, March 28, which developed into that dread disease, 
pneumonia, and though apparently easier on Sunday evening at 2 a.m. of 
Monday, April 6, he quietly and painlessly breathed his last.
  For almost ten years Dr. Hitchcock has been a conspicuous member of 
the community in which he resided.  His position as principal of the 
Young Ladies' Female seminary at Hollidaysburg brought him in contact 
with many people, not only at home but in the adjoining counties and 
neighboring states.  His large acquaintance with the eminent 
representatives of his church (Presbyterian) and his prominence as the 
head of one of the oldest and most widely known female schools in the 
state, will draw attention to his death and render more regretfully 
pronounced the mortality prevailing among the able and eminent men of 
the country at large.
  Dr. Hitchcock was born in 1818, in Newport, Rhode Island.  He was the 
eldest son and child of Rev. Dr. Calvin Hitchcock, a Congregationalist 
minister and Elizabeth Stevens, both of whom are now deceased.  His 
sisters, Miss Sara Hitchcock and Mrs. Frank Plimpton, of Wrentham,  
Massachusetts, and Dr. Joseph Hitchcock, Roslindale, Boston, survive 
him.  He received a careful academical education and completed his 
classical studies at Amherst college, where he graduated in 1848.  He 
afterward entered upon the study of theology at Andover Theological 
seminary and in due course received the final diploma of that 
institution.
  After being licensed to preach he became the pastor of a church in 
New Bedford, Mass., and was afterwards called to a church in Boston.  
Before the opening of the late war he went to Baltimore and conducted 
with success a boys' classical school.  When the war broke out he cast 
his fortunes with the union cause and was appointed chaplain of the 
Second Maryland regiment and in that position continued till the close 
of the struggle, having had a most interesting and diversified 
experience.
  On the return of peace Dr. Hitchcock went to Lexington, Ky., and 
opened a classical school for boys.  He was also engaged in the same 
vocation for a period in Frankfort, in the same state.  His critical 
knowledge of the classics and remarkable adaptedness to imparting 
instruction soon gave him a wide reputation and attracted the attention 
of educators in that state.  A vacancy occurring in the Latin 
professorship in Centre college, Danville, Ky., he was in 1871 called 
by the trustees to that chair and filled it with great acceptance to 
that well known southern institution as well as with addition to his 
own fame.
  In 1872, December 28, he was married at Lexington to Miss Jennie 
Ballinger Adams, who survives him.  She was the daughter of Samuel 
Madison Adams and Amelia White, both highly influential and prominent 
families in the south.  After he became professor in Centre college, 
the degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Tusculum college, Tenn.  
He continued at Centre college till the year 1881, when desiring to 
return north, and to afford an opportunity for the educational 
qualifications of both Mrs. Hitchcock and himself in female 
instruction, negotiations were opened up with the trustees of the 
Hollidaysburg female seminary, who in the spring of that year found it 
necessary to elect a principal for the following school year.  This led 
to the letting of this institution to Dr. Hitchcock, who, with Mrs. 
Hitchcock, returned to Hollidaysburg, and in September, 1881, re-opened 
this school for young ladies.  They have successfully conducted it to 
this time and the year about to close was perhaps the most prosperous 
in the history of the institution.  In this connection it is proper to 
say that, while the death of its eminent and able chief is most 
unexpected and severe, still, the school, with all its unusual 
facilities for imparting female education, will be continued with the 
same conscientious thoroughness and success which has hitherto 
characterized it by her who was so long associated with the deceased, 
and whose equipment and adaptation to the post have won her the highest 
approbation and confidence.
  Dr. Hitchcock will be remembered, as he was admired, by all who knew 
him.  He was a man of great learning, not alone in the theology of his 
church, but in the ancient classics, general history and literature, 
and in the latter must be embraced its every department.  He read 
everything and his mind was crowded with knowledge.  With no pedantic 
display it enriched and adorned every production of his mind.  To 
witness his hour with his class in Latin or history was a treat none 
could forget.  The text in the book never seemed so narrow or so bare.  
The steady draft upon his exhaustless store gave the subject a charm 
and an amplitude that fixed it in the pupil's mind and left her to 
gather treasures of which she had never dreamed.  The same was apparent 
in his sermons, which were always extemporaneous.  The lessons of the 
text were clearly and exhaustively taught, but his vivid imagination 
and apposite illustration re-inforced the truth of the text and left a 
lasting impression upon the hearer's mind.  In public prayer it may 
also be said he was unequalled, its adaptation to the assembly or 
subject, its pathos of adoration and appeal profoundly moved the 
auditors and drew them with him to the throne of mercy and pity.  He 
was a master of the languages, possessed wonderful fluency of speech 
and in his public addresses embellished everything with the richness of 
imagery and learning.
  His descent on the paternal side was from the Puritans, and on the 
maternal from the Cavaliers.  The qualities of both were manifest in 
the man.  The sternness and rigidity of the former were blended with 
the dignity and courtliness of the latter.  He was quick and impetuous 
to rebuke wrong, but was likewise forgiving and warm-hearted.  He was 
beloved of all his pupils, and from the eldest to the youngest he was 
always the knightly, chivalrous gentleman.  In the community the same 
urbane courtesy marked his bearing, and his disappearance removes from 
their midst one not only respected and honored for his virtues, but one 
whose taking off compels the conviction that there has been a profound 
loss.
  The funeral services will be held this afternoon at 3.30 o'clock at 
the seminary.  The remains will be taken to Lexington, Ky., on the 5.20 
train, where they will be finally interred.

Morning Tribune, Altoona, Pa., Tuesday, April 7, 1891