Hitchcock, Florence Mann

Florence Mann Hitchcock – Early Pharmacist (1877 – 1947); Baldwin

In Brief:

Florence Mann Hitchcock was one of the early female registered pharmacists in Kansas. She and her husband, Thomas A. (T.A.) had opened a drug store in Westphalia, Kansas (close to Garnett, south of Ottawa) in 1903. They employed a pharmacist to fill the prescriptions. When T.A. decided to take the registered pharmacist exam in 1907, Florence helped him study. She became a registered pharmacist in April 1912, one of 5 women in her class of 65.

That same month, the Hitchcocks moved to Baldwin. They partnered with Lynn Carnahan to buy out the J.F. Schnebly Drug Store. In 1914, the Hitchcocks became sole owners of the business. At that time, Hitchcock Drugs Store was in the current Farm Bureau building at 721 Eighth Street. They moved to the corner building (current Edward Jones building) in 1951. Hitchcock Drugs was a treasured institution in the Baldwin community for generations. Following Florence and T.A.’s examples, three more generations of Hitchcocks served as the pharmacists for the store before it closed its doors in 1979.

The Hitchcocks and Hitchcock Drugs provided much care, friendship, and fond memories to the people of Baldwin for many generations. The family and store are still remembered and talked about today – and bring smiles and warm feelings to the faces and hearts of many.

More Information:

Florence Mann Hitchcock was one of the early female registered pharmacists in Kansas, and a founding partner of the beloved Hitchcock Drug Store which faithfully and compassionately served the Baldwin City community for generations.

Emma Florence Mann, who was called Florence, was born October 18, 1877, in Westphalia, Kansas, south of Ottawa. She was an intelligent young woman, graduating high school at age 16 in February 1894. Students took their exams to graduate in February and could repeat them in May if necessary. They had to score 80% or better to pass.[1]   That year only 56 of 94 students passed.[2]   An interesting side note is that students who took the test in February that year were asked how they felt about women’s suffrage. About 80% were in favor.[3] 

In July of 1894, Florence began her studies at the Anderson County Normal School to learn to be a teacher. Classes included Constitution, with arguments and oratory, Didactics, and Physics. She passed her exams to receive a third-grade certificate from the County Superintendent. Only 72 of the 108 students passed.[4]   Florence attended the school the next year and studied Method and Management, Grammar, Didactics, Reading, Bookkeeping, Reading, History, Physiology, “Nat. Phil.”, Penmanship, Orthography, and Constitution.[5]   It is unknown whether Florence ever taught school.

On March 4, 1896, Florence, 18, and Thomas A. (T.A.) Hitchcock, 24, were married at her parents’ home[6] in Westphalia with 30 friends and family present. They had known each other from a young age, and their families were intertwined with businesses, marriages, and ties to Baldwin. The couple received many gifts including a china tea set, bread plate, silver teaspoons, silver coffee pot, glass water set, oil painting, table linen, towels, rocking chair, and lamp.[7]   On November 19, 1899, their son Merle Leslie “Ty” Hitchcock was born.[8]   T. A. and Florence started farming but he developed rheumatism and they left the farm.[9] 

By November 1903, a “Thos. A. Hitchcock, The Druggist” advertisement appeared in the Westphalia Times reporting that the Hitchcocks had taken over the Shaugnessey and Magrath business. They employed a registered pharmacist.[10]   Advertisements from 1904 and 1905 were scattered throughout local newspapers promoting various products available in the store. Interesting items include: “One Minute Cough Cure,” “Early Riser Pills to relax the nerves and give quiet rest and relieve the bowels,” “Kodol Dyspepsia Cure for indigestion and all stomach problems,” and “DeWitt’s Witch Hazel Salve”.[11]   The pharmacy also offered gift items such as collar and cuff boxes, decorated and hand-painted china, mechanical toys, glove and handkerchief boxes, and toilet sets.[12]   The office of Dr. Huff, a doctor and surgeon, was located inside the Hitchcock’s drug store by 1905, a smart business move.[13]

On December 20, 1906, the Westphalia Times reported that the Hitchcocks had purchased a building for their store and would move into it by March 1.[14]    T. A. decided to take the registered pharmacist exam and Florence helped him study. He passed the exam in February 1907,[15] but continued to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and sought relief from the waters at Claremore Springs, Indian Territory. He returned to Baldwin City in October feeling some benefit.[16]   But by January 1909, he was in pain again and went to Hot Springs for a least a month.[17]   Florence probably ran the store in his absence. 

T. A.’s brother John had lived in Baldwin for many years. His mother Elizabeth and sister Mabel moved to Baldwin between 1908 and 1910, after his father’s death.[18]   In April 1912, the Hitchcocks and Lynn Carnahan bought out the J.F. Schnebly Drug Store in Baldwin. Carnahan was a registered pharmacist with ten years’ experience.[19]   Also in April of 1912, Florence passed her registered pharmacist exam. She was 1 of 5 women in her class of 65 students.[20]

The Hitchcocks were supporters of their local community. In October 1912, Baker University began a campaign to increase their endowment. The business of Hitchcock and Carnahan was one of the 156 Baldwin donors and contributed $150 ($5053 in 2026) to the total $25,455 raised.[21]

They also took time to vacation. They enjoyed time along the Neosho River at the clubhouse with family and friends, camping, fishing, swimming, wading, and “idling under the trees.”[22]

In April 1914, Carnahan sold his interest in the drug store to the Hitchcocks. Willie “Dutch” Wilton continued to run the soda fountain. Florence and T. A. continued as pharmacists.[23]  An advertisement from 1919 shares an unusual product, “Reefer’s More-Egg Tonic.”[24]  Another promotion from Hitchcock Rexall Drug Store used the slogan “Make it a Kodak.” Kodak cameras were offered for $8 – $17.50, while Brownies sold for $1.50 – $4.50.[25]   In 1922 a familiar product was advertised. Palmolive Shampoo, containing olive oil, was said to be a “special treatment for dry and brittle hair,” at a price of 50 cents ($9.83 in 2026).[26]

Florence was a member of several local women’s organizations. These groups provided social interaction while serving the community and included the Nautilus[27] and Evangeline Chapter OES or Eastern Star. She was a charter member of Philanthropic Education Organization (P.E.O.), a group supporting the educational endeavors of women.[28]

T. A. passed away in 1947. Florence spent the last eight years of her life at the Methodist Home in Topeka where she passed away on November 20, 1965. Services were held at First United Methodist Church in Baldwin City. She rests beside her husband at Oakwood Cemetery in Baldwin.[29] 

_____________________

• [1] The Colony Free Press 1921-1924 (Colony, Kansas) · Fri, Mar 9, 1894 · Page 4.
• [2] The Garnett Eagle (Garnett, Kansas) · Fri, May 18, 1894 · Page 3.
• [3] The Colony Free Press 1921-1924 (Colony, Kansas) · Fri, Mar 9, 1894 · Page 4.
• [4] The Garnett Eagle (Garnett, Kansas) · Fri, Jul 6, 1894 · Page 3.
• [5] The Garnett Eagle (Garnett, Kansas) · Fri, Jun 7, 1895 · Page 3.
• [6] Family Bible transcription, Jon Hitchcock, 2026.
• [7] Garnett Journal-Plaindealer (Garnett, Kansas) · Fri, Mar 13, 1896. pg 4.
• [8] findagrave.com/memorial/226650272/merle-leslie-hitchcock
• [9] From Anderson Co. Historical Society Garnett KS, Jon Hitchcock notes, 2026.
• [10] Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Nov 26, 1903 · Page 3.
• [11] Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Mar 24, 1904 · Page 2.; Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Oct 20, 1904 · Page 2.
• [12] Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Dec 21, 1905 · Page 3; Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Dec 20, 1906 · Page 3.
• [13] Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Dec 14, 1905 · Page 3.
• [14] Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Dec 20, 1906 · Page 3.
• [15] Garnett Evening News (Garnett, Kansas) · Fri, Feb 15, 1907.
• [16] Garnett Journal (Garnett, Kansas) · Fri, Oct 4, 1907 · Page 4.
• [17] Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Jan 21, 1909 · Page 3. 
• [18] “Elizabeth Hitchcock House” article, Baldwin City Signal, May 29, 2008, The Kansas Room, Baldwin City Public Library.
• [19] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Apr 5, 1912 · Page 1.
• [20] The Evening Review (Garnett, Kansas) · Sat, Mar 2, 1912 · Page 4.
• [21] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Oct 25, 1912 · Page 1.
• [22] Westphalia Times (Westphalia, Kansas) · Thu, Aug 6, 1914 · Page 3.
• [23] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Apr 3, 1914 · Page 8.
• [24] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Jan 24, 1919 · Page 5.
• [25] The Baker Orange (Baldwin, Kansas) · Mon, Jan 27, 1919 · Page 3.
• [26] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Jun 9, 1922 · Page 5.
• [27] The Baldwin Ledger (Baldwin, Kansas) · Fri, Jan 13, 1922 · Page 5.
• [28] “Mrs. F. Hitchcock Died Nov. 20 Services Tues,” unknown newspaper, 1965, The Kansas Room obituary files, Baldwin City Public Library.
• [29] Ibid.

By M. Jardon, May 2026