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Stephen Hatch, Sr. Suddenly Expires
Well-Known Pioneer Resident of This City Dropped Dead Last Night at His Home

Stephen Hatch, Sr., one of the best known and most respected pioneer residents of the Pajaro Valley, dropped dead last night at 5:50 o'clock at his home on Bockius street. Death was suddenly and unexpected and was witnessed by his wife and two of his children. Mr. Hatch and his wife were preparing to attend a moving picture show down town and he was conversing with his two children while Mrs. Hatch was in another room. While walking across the room Mr. Hatch suddenly staggered, reeled and fell heavily against a wood box near the stove. He was hastily placed upon a couch and medical aid summoned but it was too late. He recovered consciousness long enough to whisper "good-bye" and then his soul peacefully passed into the great beyond. The funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock from the family residence at No. 2 Bockius street and the interment will be made in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.

Stephen Hatch, Sr. was a native of Ohio aged 75 years, 9 months and 19 days. When but a boy of 12 years he moved with his parents to Wisconsin and when 18 years of age he accompanied his parents across the plains to Sacramento in this State. Here his mother died and when scarcely out of his teens he came with his father to Pajaro Valley and the two took up some government land in the Mud Flat region. Later he moved to Monterey and when the Civil War broke out he was among the first to answer President Lincoln's call for volunteers. He enlisted in 1861 and served three years in the first California infantry as a private. In 1864 he was honorably discharged and returned home to Monterey to be elected recorder of Monterey.

In 1866 he married his present wife and for the next few years resided in Monterey, Castroville, Alameda and San Luis Obispo. Finally he purchased a ranch in the Carlton district in this valley and nine years ago retired after a most successful business career. For the past nine years he has resided in this city and was regarded as one of its best citizens, a man of sterling qualities and a tender, faithful father and husband. He was one of the pioneers in this valley of the Socialist cause and in matters of importance his counsel was of time sought by his comrades. His death is mourned by all who knew him, and to know him was to be his friend.

He is survived by his wife and the following children: Mrs. William McGowan of Monterey, Mrs. Jacob Freis of Chualar, Mrs. Louis Farlin of Watsonville, Miss Estelle Hatch of Watsonville, Harry Hatch and Walter Hatch of Spreckels and Stephen Hatch, Jr.. of Watsonville.

The funeral of Mr. Hatch tomorrow will be under the auspices of L.. McCook Post, G.A.R. of this city of which the deceased had long been a faithful member.

Date of Birth: 1835-02-22

Date of Death: 1911-11-12

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz County

Plot: 30-Nov

Cause of Death: Strk/Related

Date of Marriage: 1866/

Occupation: Rancher

Religion: So

Height: 5'4

Local Address: Bockius St 2

Last City: Watsonville

Native of: OH

Father Native of: Jacob (OH)

Mother Native of: Dixon_ Rebecca (PA)

Enlisted: 1861/09/20

Discharged: 1864/09/13

Military Unit: CA_ 1 Inf_ Co D

Rank: Pvt

Military Notes: E-Cmp Downey_ M/O-LsCrs_NM

GAR#: M26

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: RLM 1908 Roster