Aaron Anderson Hiatt

Aaron Anderson Hiatt

AARON HIATT - Establisher of Verden Townsite and Founder of The Verden News

Verden and surrounding communities mourn the passing of Aaron A. Hiatt, pioneer citizen and founder of Verden townsite, who succumbed to typhoid fever at the Chickasha hospital Tuesday morning July 3, at 315 o'clock.

Mr. Hiatt was seriously ill just a few days and was taken to the Chickasha hospital Saturday where all the care and love that skilled physicians could devise and apply for his comfort and assistance were brought into play, but the fiat of Him who rules our incomings and outgoings had been issued and after a brief struggle, despite the aid rendered by human hands, their aid was overruled, the suffer's spirit took its flight to that home the Christian believes is the fulfillment of life everlasting. His last words were expressive of peace in God and a willingness to depart and be at rest with Him. His cheerful, helpful life; his devotion to his wife and family and kindness to everybody will long linger as a fragrant memory in the home which his presence brightened and which will remain with us as a lasting treasure.

Aaron A. Hiatt was born in Sidney, Iowa, December 2, 1868, age 64 years 7 months and 1 day old at the time of his passing.

At an early age his family moved from Iowa to western Kansas, later moving to Nebraska, where his boyhood life was spent and education achieved. He was joined in Holy Wedlock to Maggie Cruger, October 1895 in Topeka, Kansas, but made their first home in Nebraska. After about three years they moved to Verden and settled on a farm they now own south of town. Here, Mr. Hiatt was the manager of the original townsite of Verden and instrumental in the making of Verden. He was one of the first businessmen to own a store in Verden. We have often heard Mr. Hiatt speak about selling lots at a public sale when the townsite was laid out. He was founder of the Verden News which he owned with his brother, O. E. Hiatt for a number of years. Mr. Hiatt since Verden started has been a civic leader and always interested in the affairs of the town.

At the time of Rev. Kirtley's pastorage of the Christian church here, Mr. Hiatt became a member.

The funeral service was held Tuesday at 200 p. m. at the Methodist church with Rev. C. W. Taylor officiating. The pall bearers were Joe Dobbs, W. P. Sigmon, Bruce Ransbarger, W. A. G...er, Carl Craven, and J. B. Smith.

Beautiful hymns were rendered by Mesdames J. N. Kern, R. M. Caldwell and Messers W. G. Guthrie and H. C. Ransbarger while Mrs. F. G. Ransbarger presided at the piano.

Deceased leaves to mourn his departure his wife, daughter, Mrs. J. W. Triplett, sons, Oliver of California, Raymond Cruger of Washington, D. C., three grandchildren, Evelyn and Nina Mae Poage and Raymond Cruger, Jr.; three brothers, O. E. Hiatt of Verden, William Hiatt and Levi Hiatt of Nebraska, two sisters, Mrs. Susie Biddle and Mrs. Lillie Zeigler of Nebraska, also a host of friends.

The body was laid to rest in the Verden cemetery with Roy Hansen in charge of the burial arrangements.