On 26 Sep 1880 when David Louis was 23, he first married
Dora Etta Hitchcock (67798) , daughter of
George M. Hitchcock (65252) (27 Oct 1824-23 Jun 1901) &
Keziah Jane McComb (22 Apr 1825-8 Jul 1891), in Medina, Medina County, Ohio.
Born on 20 May 1856 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Dora Etta died in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, on 30 Dec 1915; she was 59. Buried on 2 Jan 1916 in Newaygo Cemetery. They were divorced on 21 Apr 1913 in Newaygo, Newaygo County, Michigan.
Notes from Alice Hope Race Joyce indicate Dora was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. However, other sources say she was born in Medina, Ohio. 1880 census says she was born in Indiana. Kent County death records state she was born in Ohio.
George Hitchcock’s pension application states that Dora E. was born 20 May 1857, not 1856.
Dora was not listed as living with her family in Medina in 1870. She may have been the 15 year-old Dora Hitchcock listed in this census:
1870 Federal Census. Benton Township, Berrien County, Michigan
Roll 663, page 84A
Washington Hunter, 43, fruit grower, $15,000 real estate, $2000 personal estate, b. NY
Agnes Hunter, 36, b. OH
Conklin Hunter, 17, b. OH
Arthur Hunter, 13, b. OH
Wilber Dual, 19, farm laborer, b. OH
Dora Hitchcock, 15, domestic servant, b. MI
[Washington C. Hunter (b. 15 Sep 1827, d. 18 Jan 1911 Benton Harbor, son of John & Jane (Humphries) Hunter) m. Agnes Dual (dau. of Wilbur & Mariah (Conklin) Duel, also spelled Deuel), both of Salem, Champaign Co., OH]
In 1880 Dora was living her family in Medina, age 24.
Newaygo Republican 24 April 1902, “School News”:
“May Joslin and Geo. Harden are both enjoying a double expansion this week. They hope however to return to their normal size soon. Two other children of Mr. Harden are also having the mumps.”
30 November 1905, “Local News,” Newaygo Republican:
“Dr. Dodge of Big Rapids, and Dr. Long of Fremont assisted by Dr. Massey of this village performed a critical surgical operation of Mrs. D. L. Harding on Tuesday last. At this writing the operation seems to have been successful.”
7 December 1905, “Local News,” Newaygo Republican:
“The operation upon Mrs. D. L. Harden which was made ten days ago appears to have been entirely successful. While the patient is suffering consideralbe pain, temperature and respiration are normal and no doubt is felt of her entire recovery.”
Kent County Death Records indicate Dora died of Myocarditis on 30 Dec. 1915 in Grand Rapids. She was 59 years 7 months and 10 days old. She was married, a housewife and born in Ohio. Her parents were George Hitchcock and Jane K. Mc Comb. Both of their birthplaces were unknown.
Death Certificate: State of Michigan, Department of State - Division of Vital Statistics, Grand Rapids, Kent County. Register Number 1704.
Dora E. Harden died 30 December 1915 of Myocardio Endocarditis. She was born 20 May 1856 in Ohio and was 59 years, seven months and ten days old at death. The death certificate states she was married at the time of her death, although the divorce was already final. Dora was a housewife and her parents were George Hitchock and Jane K. McComb. Their birthplaces were unknown. David Harden of 1860 Worden St. was the informant. Dora was buried 2 January 1916 in Newaygo, Michigan.
Obituary - unknown source
Mrs. Dora E. Harden was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, May 20, 1856., and died at Butterworth hospital in Grand Rapids, December 30, 1915, at the age of 59 years, 7 months and 10 days.
She moved with her parents to Medina, Ohio, where she lived until she was married to D. L. Harden September 25, 1880. In 1882 she came with her husband to Newaygo, where she has spent the most of her life.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harden six children, two girls and four boys, three of the boys and one of the girls having preceeded the mother to the great beyond. The two children remaining to mourn the loss of a kind and loving mother are George of Grand Rapids and Mrs. Irving Race of Newaygo.
Mrs. Harden was a life long member of the Episcopal church and lived and died in the triumphs of a living faith in her Saviour, whom she found an ever present comfort during the heavy burdens of life and awful hours of suffering which she endured.
The remians were brought to Newaygo and funeral services, conducted by Rev. G. K. Fairbank, were held Sunday. Interment in Newaygo cemetery.
Cards of Thanks
We desire to thank the nurses of Butterworth hospital for their kindness during the recent illness of our beloved wife and mother; also themotormen and conductors of Hall street car barns for their sympathy and beautiful floral offering.
David. L. Harden,
Mr. and Mrs. George Harden
Mr. and Mrs. Erwin Race
WORDS COMPOSED ON THE DEATH OF MRS. DORA HARDEN, IN LOVING MEMORY
Mother has gone and left me lonely,
Made a void which none can fill,
But the Saviour sayeth calmly,
“Troubled heart, oh! peace be still.”
Mother’s words of love and truth
Are now hushed forever more,
But we know she dwells with Jesus
On that happy, blissful shore.
Though we miss her form and presence
In this land of toil and strife,
But she has crossed Death’s silent river,
She hath gained eternal life.
I will follow this blessed Savior
That dear mother lived to love,
And the ties of earth are broken,
Still she lives and reigns above.
Jesus, Saviour, keep me faithful
‘Till my soul has reached the goal,
Then I’ll meet my darling mother
In that homeland of the soul.
There no parting words are spoken,
There no tear bedims the eye,
There no ties are ever broken
In that haven beyond the sky.
Every one who trusts in Jesus
And obeys the Lord’s commands,
You can meet the long-lost loved ones
Who have gone to happy lands.
Jesus Christ, the world redeemer,
Has invited all to come;
Now, dear children, serve Him truly,
You shall gain a heavenly home.
Ferry, Mich. -- Mrs. Belle Van Camp
Unattributed newspaper clipping found in the Harden bible owned by Erwin Race, Jr.