Frederick A. Hitch (1882-1947) resided in Bloomington his entire life. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1905, he entered business as co-owner, with his father, of the Woolen Mill store. He was a prominent businessman in Bloomington, maintaining this ownership until retiring in 1940 to manage his extensive real estate holdings, which included The Oaks apartments.
Fred Hitch was active in Masonic circles and received the 33rd Degree in 1926. He was a trustee of Illinois Wesleyan University from 1936 until his death. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by Illinois Wesleyan in 1938. He was actively engaged in the community. He was superintendent of Sunday school at the Grace Methodist Church for sixteen years. He also worked for boys in organizations such as the Boy Scouts, the Four Q Square clubs, as well as baseball and basketball groups. He was active in the Amateur Musical Club.
However, Hitch is probably best known locally as the creator of the role of Christ in the Bloomington Consistory Passion Play and for his performance as Scrooge in the Consistory Players 1926 production of "The Christmas Carol."
Fred Hitch was born April 6, 1882, to Allison and Rose Ashton Hitch. He attended Bloomington High School and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1905. In 1937, he married Pearl Dunn of Bellflower, who was well known locally as a talented violinist. They had no children.