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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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GEORGE G. HITCHCOCK, M.D., a leading physician of the homoeopathic school of medicine, residing at South Hadley Falls, has an extensive practice in this village and in the town of Holyoke. He began his professional career in this place in 1870, and during his many years of successful experience has won the confidence and respect of the community and the patronage of the best class of people. He was born February 22, 1845, in the town of Farmington, Conn., being a son of Rufus Augustus and Mary Ann (Goodwin) Hitchcock.

Rufus A. Hitchcock was a native of Cheshire, Conn., born November 2, 1812, and in his early days was a clock-maker by trade, following that vocation until thirty-five years of age, his place of business and his residence being located at Terryville. He subsequently purchased land in Unionville, and there tilled the soil during his remaining years, dying on April 16, 1886. His first wife, Mary A. Goodwin, was born December 15, 1822, in Harwinton, Conn., and there reared. She bore her husband four children: William Augustus, Dexter, George G., and Mary. William A. served in the late Rebellion for three consecutive years, belonging to the Sixteenth Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; and, being captured at the battle of the Wilderness, he was taken to Andersonville Prison, where he soon after died. Dexter, who married Miss Adele Brockway, of Norwalk, Conn., is there successfully engaged in the practice of medicine; he is likewise interested in a brick business at Calhoun, N. Y. Mary, the youngest child, received a severe injury from which she has never recovered, and is now under treatment at an asylum. After the death of his first wife, on August 29, 1875, the father was married in West Springfield to Mrs. Eliza (Doolittle) Baley, a native of Cheshire, Conn., and now a resident of Meriden, Conn.

George G. Hitchcock as a lad was very fond of his books, and after leaving the public schools was sent to a business college in New Haven, whence he went to Suffield, where he pursued his studies at the Connecticut Literary Institute for three years. Returning to the place of his nativity he began the study of medicine with Dr. William Sage, now of New Haven, being under his instruction for three years, and then going to New York City took a complete course of study at the Homoeopathic College, where he was graduated in the class of 1870. Coming at once to Hampshire County, Dr. Hitchcock settled at South Hadley Falls, and has since devoted himself untiringly to the duties of his profession. He is said to have the largest practice of any physician at the Falls.

On September 2, 1870, soon after coming to South Hadley Falls, Dr. Hitchcock was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth M. Weller, daughter of Royal M. and Malvina (Penney) Weller, of Watertown, Conn. Their home has been brightened by the birth of two children, namely: Florence Weller Hitchcock, born October 10, 1875; and Bessie Adele Hitchcock, born October 10, 1878. Mr. Weller moved to East Granby, Conn., after the death of his first wife, Mrs. Hitchcock’s mother; and there he married again. The Doctor is a stanch Republican in politics, and both he and Mrs. Hitchcock are esteemed members of the Congregational church. They have a pleasant and attractive home, and entertain their many friends with genuine hospitality.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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