Person Page - 3033

     Note: [Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #5155, Date of Import: 12 Apr 1998]

I have a picture of Richard (known to our family as "Uncle Dick") Stites. It shows "the four Richards" -- my dad, my grandfather, Uncle Dick and his son Richard, who was killed in WWII in North Africa. I also met Uncle Dick once, at the 50th wedding anniversary of my grandfather and grandmother in Anchorage, Ky., back in 1961 (I believe). I think we took another picture then, another "four Richards" but if we did the picture has been lost. Uncle Dick died the next year, I believe. As Ann Mary Hopkins' son, he was a link back to a time before the Civil War. In his youth, he must have often visited Martha Carey Jones, his grandmother. Martha Carey Jones was born in 1796. Wonder what she told him about those times?

Wish I had talked to him about that, but of course at the time it was the last thing on my mind. I was a junior high student. But through him and the memories passed on to him from his mother and grandmother, we've got about the whole history of the United States.

Richard Stites was born on 11 March 1870 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY.¹ He was the son of Richard Stites and Anna Mary Hopkins. Occupation: Bank cashier in 1900.¹ Richard Stites married Mary Lynne Carter, daughter of James Inman Carter and Samuella Irene Childress, on 10 November 1917 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY. Richard Stites lived on 11 April 1930 at Upper Henderson, Henderson Co., KY, Farming.² He died on 10 April 1965 at age 95. He was buried in April 1965 at Fernwood Cemetery, Henderson, Henderson Co., KY, Findagrave #67257331.
Note: The Chicago gangster George "Bugs" Moran, who escaped the 14 FEB 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre was captured in Richard Stites' house.

     Richard Stites was born on 20 November 1918 at Henderson Co., KY.¹ He was the son of Richard Stites and Mary Lynne Carter. Richard Stites began military service on 17 March 1941 at Ft. Knox, KY, Enlisted, U.S. Army. He died on 23 July 1943 at Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia, at age 24. He was buried at Fernwood Cemetery, Henderson, Henderson Co., KY, First at Dakar, later moved to Carthage. Findagrave #67256961.

     Richard Stites was born in 1757 at Cape May, Cape May Co., NJ. He married Mary Cameron on 18 July 1787 at Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA. Occupation: Ship Captain at Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co. (now), PA. Richard Stites died in 1822 at Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA.

     Note: From March 1994 letter from Elaine Hamersley (nee Stites) to Richard West Stites:

"My Aunt Mary Lynn once told me that I should write a book about my father's experiences as a conductor on the LH and STL train. LH&STL merged into L&N [Louisville and Nashville] later on. It was true--Dad never knew a stranger [meaning he knew everyone] and his many experiences with the people who rode the country train with him were really something. Your dad and I used to go to my grandfathers farm, which was on the 18th St. Rdl, out of Louisville. It was about 18 miles from Louisville. Once Dick (your dad) and I got on the train, in order to spend the day in the country with my grandfather, who was living there alone, after his wife died. My grandfather had two horses, I remember and some way Dick and I left the gate open where my grandfather's prize cornfields were full of green grocery corn stalks. My grandfather was in his late 70s or early 80s--but I never saw him more youthful than that day. He leaped over the fence to take a short cut into the cornfield and went "tearing out" to catch the horses, who were quickly eating all the corn they could handle. He did catch them before they did a lot of damage, but I will never forget that day. Also, Dad was the conductor that day on the daily train trip to Evansville, Ky. He let us off at Stites Station, which was near my grandfather's farm. Grandfather met us there and then put us on there again to go back to Louisville. As we backed into the station at Louisville he let us sit on the observation car, on the back end of it and blow the whistle, as we passed the grade crossings of the byways, as we came into Louisville. Ah memories -- so many are vivid to me. Of course, we thought our father was the "greatest" ever." Richard Stites Sr. was born on 23 July 1884 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY. He was the son of Samuel Stites and Emma Bauer. Richard Stites Sr. married Bertha E. Will on 24 January 1912 at Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY. Richard Stites Sr. died on 23 September 1970 at Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY, at age 86.

     Samuel Stites was "exemplary member of Presbyterian church."
Note: Sources: Vincent, Delano V. "Descendents of Henry & Benjamin Stites" in NY Gen & Bio Records, Vol 107, No 2 (April, 1976)

Joseph Sullivant "A Genealogy and Family Memorial", 1874.

In Sullivant (1874) we have the following description:
"...Samuel Stites, a merchant in Henderson, a native of Philadelphia, who had been brought up to the mercantile business. He was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian church, a business man of correct habits and integrity, and much respected and esteemed."

The following was retyped from an article found at Henderson Co., KY Library. The original was apparently taken from a newspaper clipping, circa 1920. (from Susan Bockhoven/3616 Fallen Timer Dr./Louisville, KY
40241-1619).

Pioneer Residence Withstands Time and Weather For Hundred Years:
Falls Before Wreckers

Within the next few days an old landmark that has withstood the ravages of time and weather for more than a hundred years will fall before the wreckers' hammers, giving way to progress and a more modern building.

This old residence which has occupied a revered place in the hearts of Henderson's older citizens for many years, has been donated to the Masonic order as the site for their new home. Plans for the new building are rapidly being completed and actual construction work will probably be started within the next 30 days.

At the presetn time, however, there is genuine sorrow in the household of the descendents of Samuel Stites and his wife, the pioneer residents of Henderson who about 100 years ago erected this fine old home on Second Street. For the last century the old home has remained in the possession of Stites-Barret family and at no time since it was built has it been cared for by other hands.

A touching scene greeting the writer when he called on Mrs. Ann Stites, daughter-in-law of the pioneers, who is herself past the ninety mark in life's cycle, for it is the birth-place of her husband, Richard Stites, that is passing into oblivion.

Mrs. Stites trembled as she told the history of the building and how for almost a decade it had remained in the family, but realizing that times are changing and progress demands that Henderson expand and keep in step with the advancement of the world, she has resigned herself to the change knowing that like all that grows old, the building must give way to newer things.

In the early part of 1800 there was a young business man, who, in truth, was a wholesale merchandise dealer, making regular trips from Philadelphia to New Orleans with a raft of merchandise which he sold to stores as he moved down stream.

This primitive traveler was none other than Samuel Stites. His home was in Philadelphia. He assembled his merchandise at his home town, transported them to Pittsburgh by horses and there he loades them on a barge, built especially for the single trip.

Moving out into the current which was the only means of moving the barge, he would ease his cargo downstream. Of the many places at which he anchored his barge while he sold the merchangts his goods, Henderson was one.

As previously mentioned, New Orleans was the destination. Upon arrival, the barge was abandoned, for it was of no more use to this primitive travelling salesman, as he lacked pwoer facilities to get it back upstream.

Abandoning his boat in New Orleans, Mr. Stites would purchase a horse and make the return trip to Philadelphia on horseback.

The descendents of Mr. Stites could not recall the specific reason, but something attracted him to Henderson, where he decided to locate and make his home.

He had not been in Henderson long before he married a daughter of William Holloway. Their married life started in a small home on what is known as Upper or North Main Street. They lived at this place for an unknown number of years and then starts the story of the building now standing, but which this time next year will probably be replaced by a modern Masonic home.

Mr. Stites built, according to his own notions and ideas, the home in which he and his wife died.

Henderson was hardly more than a village at that time and the main street then was what we now call Second Street. The site chosen by Mr. and Mrs. Stites for their home was amply large with plenty of space on either side and also extending back for some distance in a wide, open tract of ground.

In this vacant lot at the head of their home they planted what later developed into one of the most beautiful flower gardens in the city.

To the left of their home, where the Hambleton and Arnett & Fenwick stores now stand, was the Stites stable and horse lot. While portions of the land were sold as the town grew, the home remained the same and has the same appearance today that it did when built.

At the death of Mr. and Mrs. Stites the home was deeded to their daughter, Lucy Stites Barret, wife of James Barret. Mr. and Mrs. Barret made their home on the old estate unitl their beautiful home on Center street was built.

At the death of Mrs. James Barret the home was deeded to her son, Henry Barret, who has for several years used the building for his office, and has now donated it to the Masons.


Copied from: History of Henderson Co., KY. located at the Filson Club, Louisville.

Samuel Stites, the subject of this sketch, was a son of Richard Stites (who was a Sea Captain) and was born in Philadelphia, March 22, 1792. During the summer of 1819 he immigrated to Henderson and engaged in mercantile pursuits.

For many years he controlled the large landed interest of Mr. Lyne Starling, of Columbus, Ohio, located in Henderson Country, and by his promptness and efficient business capacity, whon the confidence and highest esteem of that gentleman. On the twentieth day of February 1823, Mr. Stites married Miss Rebecca Holloway, daughter of Major John Holloway, of this county, and unto them were born four children, namely: Mary Cameron married Edmund L. Davidson, of Springfield, Kentucky, and died, leaving one child, now Mrs. Susan Ray of Louisville; Richard married Miss Ann Mary Hopkins, and died a few years since, leaving five children, Samuel, Willia, Camilla, Richard and Hamilton. Samuel and Camilla are married, Rebecca married Col. William S. Elam. She has two children, henry Pendleton and Susie Rankin. Mr. Stites, after having lived a most exemplary life, died on the fifthy day of April, 1862. His good wife, one of the strongest minded and most charitable of her generation, followed some years after. He was born on 22 March 1792 at Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co., PA. He was the son of Richard Stites and Mary Cameron. Samuel Stites married Rebecca Ballard Holloway, daughter of Maj. John Holloway and Anne Starling, on 20 February 1823. Occupation: Merchant at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY. Samuel Stites died on 5 April 1862 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY, at age 70.

     Note: [Brøderbund WFT Vol. 1, Ed. 1, Tree #5155, Date of Import: 12 Apr 1998]

Samuel Stites was superintendent for Louisville, Nashvile and St. Louis RR. Retired to a farm down by Fort Knox and West Point. Stites Station, on the maps until 1985, was named for him.

Reference in: Vincent, Delano V. "Descendents of Henry & Benjamin Stites" in NY Gen & Bio Records, Vol 107, No 2 (April, 1976)

Picture of Samuel holding my father (Richard Stites, Jr., his grandson), as a baby is in my possession.

Samuel Stites was born on 14 January 1859 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY. He was the son of Richard Stites and Anna Mary Hopkins. Samuel Stites lived on 1 June 1880 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY, living with his aunt Rebecca Elam's family.¹ He married Emma Bauer, daughter of Henry C. Bauer and Caroline Sied, on 12 December 1883, two children born to the marriage, one living as of the 1910 census.² Samuel Stites lived, Lived near Stites Station, named for him. He married Grace (?). Samuel Stites died on 26 July 1926 at Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY, at age 67.

     Samuel Stites was born on 27 June 1897 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY.¹ He was the son of William Hopkins Stites and Bertha Hall. Samuel Stites married Lillie Morrow Atchison, daughter of John Boliver Atchison and Emma Luttrell Morrow, on 26 June 1921 at Nashville, Davidson Co., TN. Occupation: Electrical engineer with power company in 1930 at Muskegon, Muskegon Co., MI.² Samuel Stites died in February 1978 at Florida at age 80 death date per SSDI.
Note: As a young man, piloted a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplane, later was VP of Ohio Edison Company.

     Samuel Stites was born on 2 February 1886 at Henderson Co., KY. He was the son of Samuel Stites and Emma Bauer. Samuel Stites died on 10 February 1887 at age 1.

     Sophie Aline Stites was born on 18 December 1897 at Henderson Co., KY.¹ She was the daughter of Hamilton Stites and Lucille Soaper. Sophie Aline Stites married Paul Bristol Thompson circa 1923. Sophie Aline Stites married Donald C. Smith. Sophie Aline Stites died on 20 May 1991 at San Diego Co., CA, at age 93.

     William Hopkins Stites was born on 3 June 1862 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY, 1900 census shows 1864, and age 35.¹ He was the son of Richard Stites and Anna Mary Hopkins. William Hopkins Stites married Bertha Hall on 21 October 1896 at Henderson, Henderson Co., KY. William Hopkins Stites lived on 8 June 1900 at North Main Street, Henderson, Henderson Co., KY.¹ He married Christiana P. Clark, daughter of David D. Clark and Georgina LaNauze, circa 1920 at Henderson Co., KY. William Hopkins Stites died on 14 January 1940 at Youngstown, Mahoning Co., OH, at age 77. He was buried in January 1940 at Fernwood Cemetery, Henderson, Henderson Co., KY, Findagrave #90086984.

     William Hopkins Stites was born on 26 August 1924 at Nashville, Davidson Co., TN.¹ He was the son of Samuel Stites and Lillie Morrow Atchison. William Hopkins Stites married Cordelia Lambert, daughter of William Darby Lambert and Cordelia Vance, on 28 September 1945 at Youngstown, Mahoning Co., OH. William Hopkins Stites died in May 2002 at Colorado Springs, El Paso Co., CO, at age 77.
Note: Colonel, U.S. Army. West Point, Class of 1945. All-American Lacrosse team, two tours Korea, instructor, Advanced Armor School, Ft. Knox, tank battalion commander, Ft. Carson. Foreign Service School, Washington, DC, Military Attache, Katmandu, Nepal, Chief of Staff, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO.

     Amy M. Stith was born on 17 March 1839 at Fairfield Co., OH. She was the daughter of John Stith and Delilah Hite. Amy M. Stith married Henry M. Saum, son of Jacob Saum and Elizabeth Winegardner, on 26 February 1863. Amy M. Stith died on 11 October 1894 at age 55.

     John Stith married Delilah Hite.

     George J. Stitley was born on 23 March 1855 at Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD. He married Eunice Viola Edwards, daughter of Harmon Edwards and Missouri Gilmore, in December 1880 at Mt. Carroll, Carroll Co., IL. George J. Stitley was buried in 1930 at Carroll Co., IL. He died on 15 June 1930 at Hammond, Lake Co., IN, at age 75.

     Catharine A. Stitt was born on 18 September 1840 at Pennsylvania daughter of George Washington and Elizabeth (Schafer) Stitt. She married David Rose. Catharine A. Stitt died on 11 July 1921 at Leechburg, Armstrong Co., PA, at age 80. She was buried in July 1921 at Forks-Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church Cemetery, Leechburg, Armstrong Co., PA, Findagrave #20094468.

     Elizabeth Stitt was born on 30 June 1784 at Kentucky. She married William Brooks on 15 July 1808 at Highland Co., OH. Elizabeth Stitt died on 7 October 1866 at Van Buren, Keokuk Co., IA, at age 82.

     David Stitzel was born on 1 November 1794 at Greencastle, Franklin Co., PA. He married Sarah Strickler, daughter of Henry Strickler and Anna Rhodes, circa 1824 at Greencastle (probably), Franklin Co., PA. David Stitzel died on 5 April 1859 at Arnold's Grove, Freedom Twp., Carroll Co., IL, at age 64. He was buried in April 1859 at Arnolds Grove Dunkard Cemetery, Freedom Twp., Carroll Co., IL, Findagrave #80137020.

     David Stitzel was Church of the Brethren.¹ He was born circa 1863 at Salem Twp., Carroll Co., IL. He was the son of Joseph Stitzel and Mary (?) David Stitzel married Addie B. Puterbaugh, daughter of Elder David B. Puterbaugh and Catherine Miller, on 20 October 1898, Ceremony by Rev. Jacob D. Trostle.¹ David Stitzel lived in 1926 at Lanark, Carroll Co., IL.¹

     Elizabeth Stitzel was born on 9 September 1829 at Greencastle, Franklin Co., PA.^1,2 She was the daughter of David Stitzel and Sarah Strickler. Elizabeth Stitzel married Jacob Arnold, son of Daniel Arnold and Elizabeth Price, on 26 October 1848 at Carroll Co., IL, Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763 - 1900:

GROOM BRIDE CNTY DATE VOL/PAGE LIC
ARNOLD, JACOB STITZEL, ELIZABETH CARROLL 10/26/1848 OMR/0010 0222. Elizabeth Stitzel died on 27 April 1902 at Lanark, Carroll Co., IL, at age 72. She was buried in 1902 at Lanark City Cemetery, Lanark, Carroll Co., IL, Findagrave #68737489.

     Evelyn Stitzel was born on 6 June 1896.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas Stitzel and Rebecca Emery. Evelyn Stitzel married Floyd D. Zuck, son of Frank Zuck and Emma Kate Puterbaugh, on 15 September 1915.¹

     Henry Stitzel was born on 23 July 1837. He was the son of David Stitzel and Sarah Strickler. Henry Stitzel died on 2 January 1913 at age 75.

     Joseph Stitzel married Mary (?). Joseph Stitzel was born on 20 January 1833 at Franklin Co., PA.¹ He was the son of David Stitzel and Sarah Strickler. Joseph Stitzel died on 28 August 1911 at Salem Twp., Carroll Co., IL, at age 78.

     Mary Stitzel was born on 21 August 1825 at Greencastle, Franklin Co., PA. She was the daughter of David Stitzel and Sarah Strickler. Mary Stitzel died on 1 April 1892 at age 66.

     Mary Katherine Stitzel was born on 30 January 1907 at Lanark, Carroll Co., IL.¹ She was the daughter of David Stitzel and Addie B. Puterbaugh.

     Ralph E. Stitzel was born on 25 October 1900 at Carroll Co., IL.¹ He was the son of David Stitzel and Addie B. Puterbaugh.

     Sarah Stitzel was born on 11 January 1846 at Lanark, Carroll Co., IL. She was the daughter of David Stitzel and Sarah Strickler. Sarah Stitzel died on 15 October 1933 at Carroll Co. (probably), IL, at age 87.

     Susan Stitzel was born on 30 June 1841 at Chambersburg, Franklin Co., PA.¹ She was the daughter of David Stitzel and Sarah Strickler. Susan Stitzel married Joseph Arnold, son of Daniel Arnold and Elizabeth Price, on 11 November 1858 at Carroll Co., IL, Illinois Statewide Marriage Index 1763 - 1900:

GROOM BRIDE CNTY DATE VOL/PAGE LIC
ARNOLD, JOSEPH STITZELL, SUSAN CARROLL 11/11/1858 OMR/0128.¹

Susan Stitzel died on 6 November 1880 at Carroll Co., IL, at age 39.¹

     Thomas Stitzel married Rebecca Emery.

     Mary Stiver married Frederick Sill, son of Leah Cromwell. Mary Stiver died before 16 June 1860 at Bedford Co., PA.

     Archer Herbert Stivers married Gera Ethel Whitney. Archer Herbert Stivers was born on 2 October 1873 at Washta, Cherokee Co., IA. He was the son of George Henry Stivers and Matilda E. Harrison. Archer Herbert Stivers died on 23 January 1937 at Alta, Buena Vista Co., IA, at age 63.