M. E. WITTY AND SON

The senior member of the above firm, Milton Elam Witty, was born in Summer Shade, Kentucky, in 1864. He came to Texas in 1883 where he settled in Hico where he connected with the mercantile firm of Sellers and Connolly. In 1907 Connolly & Co. established a store in Hamilton and he came here as their manager, which position he held until 1922.

Following his resignation as manager for Connolly & Co., he established a variety store on he west side of the square in the building now occupied by J. D. McKinley & Son. Aside from the variety store he also became a cotton buyer and is still engaged in both businesses.

M. E. Witty was married to Miss Ada [Adella "Ada"] Jones of Kentucky. They have three children: Mrs. Grace Witty (Joe H.) Eidson, Milton Brents, and Joe.

Milton Brents Witty, junior member of the firm, was born in Hico in 1896. After attending public schools here he attended Rice Institute at Houston. The World War interrupted his college career. He was commissioned in he machine gun corps of the 90th Division of the Infantry, and was the first to go into service from here in September, 1917. He was stationed at Camp Travis, San Antonio, and later at Camp Hancock, Georgia. After being discharged from the army he accepted a position with the Brown Shoe Co., of St. Louis, working both on the road and in the house. Within a year he returned to Hamilton and he and Howard Edmiston went into business, opening the first drive-in-filling station in the county. In 1924 he became joint owner and manager of M. E. Witty & Son variety store.

In 1925 Brents Witty was married to Miss Katherine Baker, elder daughter of Dr. and Mrs. C. C. [Charles Curtis] Baker, Sr. Both parents are members of prominent pioneer families.

The firm of M. E. With & Son is affiliated with the Ben Franklin chain stores, which enables them to take advantage of quantity buying.

PAGE FIFTEEN

Friday, June 24, 1938

W. F. Billingslea, Publisher, Hamilton County, TX