Joseph Hotchkiss
Joseph Hotchkiss, hardware merchant and representative citizen at Dillonvale, was born in Scotland, August 2, 1869, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Cranston) Hotchkiss. His parents were both born in Scotland. They came to America in 1870, the father dying two years later. The mother survived him until March 21, 1898. They had the following children: Janet, who married John T. Huffman, of Cannelton, Pa.; Edward, who is a farmer near Cannelton; Jennie, who is the wife of Finley Rhodes, of Dillonvale; John, who is a farmer in Pennsylvania; James, who is employed in the baggage department of the Union Depot, at Pittsburgh; Joseph, subject of this sketch; and Michael, who resides at Cannelton. The parents settled first at Cannelton, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Before leaving Scotland Joseph Hotchkiss, the father, had been a mine contractor. Both he and wife were members of the Presbyterian church.
Until he was seventeen years of age the subject of this sketch attended school, and then became a clerk in a general store at Cannelton. where he remained for two years. He then entered a drill manufacturing establishment at that place, learned the trade and continued at work there for seven years. During this time he learned all about hardware, and as he by that time was a skilled drill manufacturer, in 1893 he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Finley Rhodes, and they established a factory for the making of drilling machines at Dillonvale. After ten years Mr. Hotchkiss sold his interest and organized a company for the same purpose, with which he remained connected for two years more, and then, in May, 1902, embarked in the hardware line. He has greatly prospered, having a thorough knowledge of his goods, fine trade connections and an excellent conception of business methods. He has invested in property since coming to Dillonvale and his investments have proven profitable. He owns his own building together with other real estate, and is a director in the First National Bank at Dillonvale. He has taken a hearty interest in developing the town and during his sixteen years of residence has proved himself a good citizen, one ever to be found on the side of law and order. In April, 1898, Mr. Hotchkiss was married to Miss Nellie Nicholson, a daughter of John and Elizalieth Nicholson, of Dillonvale, and they have three daughters and one son. In politics he is a Republican.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910