Hezekiah Stites
Hezekiah Stites was born at Scotch Plains, New Jersey. His first settlement in Ohio was made in 1788, in Columbia township. He is said to have been the first actual settler in Hamilton county, was a farmer all his life, and his death occurred in Butler County. Hezekiah Stites, jr., was at first a trader in merchandise on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, going as far south as New Orleans. In 1835 he became identified with pork packers, and continued in that business until his death in 1860. He was a man of great business ability - securing a fine property by his own exertions - and was, like his father, respected by all who knew him. Charles F. Stites, his son, was born in 1831. He married Caroline Stites, daughter of Benjamin Stites, of Newark, New Jersey. He is now the owner of the old homestead, has abundant wealth, and is a worthy representative of the old family.
From History of Hamilton county, Ohio, Henry & Kate Ford, L. A. Williams & Co., Publishers, 1881