Henry Hittle was born in Prairie City, Illinois, May 25, 1898, to George A. Hittle and Amanda E. Mitchell Hittle. The next year the family moved to Wyoming to run and partner in a ranching operation on the East Fork of the Green River with George’s Uncle John Hittle. The consummate horseman and cowboy, he rode for the Green River wagon in the 1910s and when he was 15, he worked for Lafe Griffin who owned and operated the Wild Horse Ranch. He was the Rep for the New Fork Association in 1915 at 17 years old. He worked for Abner Luman on and off from 1915 to 1920. Henry worked as a foreman on the Lovatt Ranch 1917-18 and he also worked as the rough string rider for the Green River Drift in 1919. Henry rode broncs at rodeos winning many and getting “throwed” plenty. Stories abound about his bronc riding prowess. In addition to competing in Pinedale and Big Piney, he rode in rodeos in Rock Springs, and Cheyenne Frontier Days. He was an all-around hand. At the Pinedale rodeo in 1925 he took first in the wild cow milking, range race, roping, and bronc riding. He gave his 71 Bar brand to the Sublette Sporting Association to use on the rodeo livestock. Henry also eventually owned his own ranch, raising hay and Hereford cattle.
Henry Hittle
