In a history of Coshocton and its representative citizens it is imperative that mention should be made of Willis S. Hutchinson, else the record would be incomplete, for during thirty years he has been a well known, progressive and successful merchant of the city and has been a factor in other business lines which have contributed to the general commercial development. Moreover, he is one of Coshocton’s native sons, and the qualities which he has displayed in his social life and in his relations to the city at large have been such as to commend him to the confidence and good will of all.

His birth occurred December 31, 1847, his parents being John H. and Abagail (Phillips) Hutchinson, the latter a native of New Jersey, while the former was born in Ireland in 1799. In early manhood John H. Hutchinson came to the United States and after a short time spent in the east removed to Coshocton about 1824, becoming one of its pioneer settlers. He was a tailor and for some years followed his trade, receiving a liberal patronage from the early residents of the county. In 1830 he was elected sheriff and filled the office for four years, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He erected what is now one of the oldest if not the oldest house still standing in Coshocton and it has no predecessors among the brick structures of the city. In later years he was engaged in farming and thus provided the necessities and comforts of life up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1870. His political support was given to the democracy, and whether in office or out of it, he labored earnestly and effectively for the public welfare. His wife was a granddaughter on the maternal side, of John Hart, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. She survived her husband about eighteen years and passed away 1888, at the age of eighty-four.

Willis S. Hutchinson was reared in Coshocton and pursued his education in the public and high schools of the city. He made his initial step in the business world at the age of eighteen as a salesman in a dry good store, but, ambitious to engage in business on his own account, he eagerly availed himself and opportunity in that direction and in 1878 opened a grocery store. His previous training in merchandising well qualified him for the successful conduct of the new enterprise and for thirty years he has conducted his store, which throughout this period has been recognized as one of the leading establishments of the character in the city. He has always carried a large and well selected line of goods and his straightforward business methods have resulted in winning him gratifying success. Moreover he has extended his efforts to other fields of endeavor and is now a stockholder in the Electric Light & Heating Company of Coshocton, also the Coshocton Glass Company and the Citizens Telephone Company—business interests which are of value to the community as well as a source of gratifying revenue to the owners.

In the year 1873 Willis S. Hutchinson was married to Miss Mary Ricketts, of Coshocton, Ohio, and unto them have been born three children: May D., the wife of E. W. Sresap, superintendent of schools at El Paso, Illinois; Charles H., now deceased; and Nellie, the wife of J. W. Jones, a miller of Oak Hill, Jackson county, Ohio.

Mr. Hutchinson gives stalwart support to the democratic party and in 1886-7 served as a member of the city council. He was also one of the first members of the board of public works under the new municipal code, filling the position for about five years. He has likewise been a member of the board of education of Coshocton, serving for fifteen years, and is the present incumbent in the office. In all of his relations to the public he has been found as a capable and faithful official, bringing to the discharge of his duties the same keen insight and spirit of enterprise which characterize him in the management of his business affairs. Fraternally he is connected with Coshocton Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M., and with Walhonding Council of the Royal Arcanum, while his religious belief is indicated in his membership in the Presbyterian church. His salient characteristics are such as have commended him to the confidence and good will of all and he now occupies an enviable position in public regard, while in business circles he has gained that material reward for labor that now classes him with the substantial and prosperous residents of his native city.