William Richard Hatch, one of the early settlers south of Alta, passed away at his home in Alta Monday of a complication of the disease after a long illness. The deceased was the son of William and Ann Hatch and was born near Farley, Dubuque County, Iowa, on May 25th, 1862, and died at his home in Alta, Iowa, on Monday, June 2nd, 1924, at the age of 62 years and eight days. He was the youngest of a family of eight children, of which three survived. He came to Buena Vista County about 1887 and was married at Alta, Iowa, to Miss Emily Watts of Somershire, England, on March 6, 1889. Two children, Leslie H. and Delford Elmer, were born into this union. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Hatch moved to a farm south of Alta, where the family continued to live until 1914 when Mr. and Mrs. Hatch moved to Alta, where they resided. In 1890 they adopted a nephew Bert Roy Hatch together with the other members of the family. Mr. Hatch was one of the substantial and prosperous farmers of the community during his stay on the farm and was a good neighbor and respected and well-liked by all who knew him. He was Township Trustee for several years and later was one of the Trustees of the cemetery association and president of the Alta Hospital Board. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodman out of America Lodges and was active in both organizations. He was president with an emblematic watch chain by the latter organization as a token of the esteem will with which they held him. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and served for several years on the board of trustees. His health began to fail him about 14 years ago. Still, he could enjoy life and attend to his business matters until just recently and be back until a few days ago, except for periodic spells when he was confirmed to his bed. He bore his reflections with great fortitude, and where ever he was in attendance at any gathering or talking with his friends, his cheerful and timely disposition was always manifested. He leaves to mourn his demise his wife, Mrs. Emily Hatch, two sons, Leslie H. and Delford Elmer and an adopted son Burt Roy Hatch, all of Alta, Iowa, and two sisters and one brother, namely; Mrs., I.E., Sobtey, of Fort Smith, Arkansas; Mrs. Emma Johnston of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Roland G. Hatch of Washta, Iowa, besides the grandchildren and other relatives. Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian Church Wednesday afternoon; Rev. W. C. Rowlands is officiating, and interment was made in Woodlawn Cemetery. This information was published by The Alta Advertiser. KW