The Hiatt Families of Randolph County, Indiana

GEORGE HIATT, farmer, P. 0. Winchester, was born in Grayson County, Va.. August 12, 1805, and Is a son of Jonathan and Rachel Hiatt, natives of North (Carolina. He came with his parents to this county in 1818, and settled in the thick woods, where all had to work very hard to obtain the necessaries of life. Mr. Hiatt had Indian boys for his playmates. He was married, March 27, 1828. to Miss Lucinda Nixon, by whom he has nine children, viz.: Eliza, Almira, Mary E., James M., John S., William F., Henry C, Thomas N. and Solon E. Mr. Hiatt is a farmer and stock-raiser, and owns 317 acres of valuable land. Mr. Hiatt is among the oldest residents, and has done much to build up his neighborhood.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHRISTOPHER C. HIATT, physician, Ridgeville, was born in Randolph County, Ind., March 18, 1832. He is the son of Sil.as and Mary Hiatt, both natives of Virginia. His father, Silas Hiatt, came to Randolph County, Ind., in the year 1818, and helped to build the first cabin in Winchester, near the present site of J. Norman's bank. In 1862, the subject of this biography enlisted as a private soldier in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, Ninetieth Regiment. He was promoted to the office of Surgeon. He was in the Department of the Ohio, and was present at the first capture of Knoxville, September 1, 1863. He was also in the battles of BlountviUe, Danville, Bean SUtion, Walker's Ford, and other engagements. After the battle of Walker's Ford, they were sent to join Gen. Sherman's command at Tunnel Hill, and his regiment was sent with Gen. Stoneman to raid on Macon, but were nearly all captured by the rebels. Surg. Hiatt was detailed to return to Marietta, Ga., to take care of the sick and wounded, and was shortly afterward sent to Indianapoli.' Ind., before the Stale election of 18C4, and remained until after the Presidential election, and was assigned to do duty as Examining Surgeon of Recruits. Rejoined his regiment — those who were taken prisoners having, in the meantime, been exchanged. The regiment was again fitted for the field, and ordered to Nashville, to participate in the last fight at that city, but arrived too late to take any part in that action. They were next sent to Pulaski, Tenn., where Dr. Hiatt was placed in charge of the hospital as Surgeon, remaining until September, IH65. lie had charge of all sick and woundeil and about 400 smallpox patients, as well as the sick in the military prison. He finally fell a victim to small-pon, but escaped with a light attack.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JONATHAN S. HIATT was born March 1, 1840, in Henry County, Ind.; his father, Silas Hiatt, and his grandfather, Jonathan HiatI, were both early pioneers of Randolph County, locating here about the year 1818. His father removed to Henry (county, Ind., in 1836, and after several changes of location, died in Wabash County, Ind., about the year 1864, having settled in that county in 1848. He had a family of nine children, four of whom now survive. During his life, he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was an energetic and highly respected citizen. Jonathan S., the subject of this sketch, came to Randolph County, Ind., in 1856, and has made this county his home ever since. For a few years he was engaged at various branches of employment until the outer''ak of the late rebellion. He enlisted on the 19th of August, 1861, and was discharged from llie service on the 21st of September, 1865; his company became Company F, of the Eighth Indiana Regiment, and Mr. Hiatt served with it until the close of the war, passing through the ordeal of wor unharmed, although often in the thickest of the fray. He re-enlisted as a veteran at Indianola, Texas, early in 1864, and came home on a furlough of thirty days, this being the first leave of absence lie had taken since entering Ihe service. He entered the army as a private soldier, but was promoted lo the rank of a non-commissioned officer, and was also acting Lieutenant; he participated with his regiment in the battles of.Sugar Creek, Ark.; Pea Ridge, Ark., March 6-8, 1862; Cotton Plant, Ark., July 7, 1862; Austin, Miss., Augast, 1862; Port Gibson, Miss., May 1, 1863; Champion Hills, Jliss., May 16,1863; Big Black, Miss., May 17, 1863; Vioksburg, Miss., May 18— July 4, 1863; Mustang Island, Texas, November I", 1863; Fort Esperanza, Texas, November 27, 1863; Carrion Crow Bayou; Alchafalaya, La., July 28,1804; Winchester, Va., September 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Va., September 22, 1864; New Slarket, Va., September 23. 1804; Ceilar Creek, Va., October 19, 1804; Opequan, W. Va., November 19, 1864. After the close of the war. he came to Winchester, and resumed work at the carpenter's trade, having learned this tr.ide in early life. He was thus engaged, at intervals, until 1878, and in the meantime was interested as partner in a saw-mill for eighteen months. In 1878, he purchased the news-stand at the post office, and is still engaged in Ihe management of this enterprise, conducting a very satisfactory trade in Ihe daily papers, periodicals, books, stationery, etc. On the 8th of September, 1,S06, he was married to Miss Louisa J. Hiatt, daughter..f Amos Hiatt.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ELWOOD HIATT is a farmer, of White River Township, and occupies the old homestead of his father. He was born in Randolph County January 9, 1840, and has always been engaged upon the farm. He is a son of Moses and Lavina (Edwardi) Hiatt. His paternal grandfather was Zachariah Hiatt, who moved to Wayne County, Ind., in 1818, and soon afterward to Randolph County, and was among the first settlers. His maternal grandfather was Jonathan Edwards, Sr., who was a native of North Carolina, and an early settler in Randolph County. Elwood was married February 22, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth A. Ludy, daughter of Henry Ludy, and a native of Randolph County. Mrs. Hiatt was born May 27, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt were educated in the common schools. They have eight children, viz.: Charles L., born December 16, 1800; Emma D., August 7, 1888; Mary E., September 21, 1870; Anna C, September 15, 1872; Minnie M., November 23, 1874; George W., August 18, 1876; Cora M., September 24. 1878; and Garfield, January 13, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt with their little family group, now occupy their pleasant country home of 194 acres of fertile lands in the enjoyment of all there is in life. They are widely known, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Hiatt's father died July 1, 1856, aged fifty-two years and twenty-two days.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ADAM R. HIATT.

One would find it necessary to search long and far to find a farm kept in better condition or managed under more up-to-date methods than that of Adam R. Hiatt, a progressive and honored citizen of Washington township, Randolph county, for he has not only worked hard and persistent in keeping everything in its proper place, but has been a student of local conditions and has widely read much literature as pertains to advanced methods of husbandry, so that he has been enabled to reap just rewards for his pains and labors from year to year, and, owing to the superb system of his operations, he.accomplishes more at a less expenditure af labor than do most men. When he first began his career he learned that "haste makes waste"' very frequently, and while he has endeavored to do everything with dispatch and neatness, he has always realized that there are times when rushing methods are not the best, when patience must be exercised. Himself a pioneer, he is a schon of one of the early-day Hoosier families, members of which have sought to do their full duty in the affairs of the communities where they have dispersed.

Mr. Hiatt was born January 9, 1837, on a farm near Bethel, Wayne county, Indiana. He is a son of Enos and Nancy (Miller) Hiatt. The father was born August 28, 1805, in Guilford county, North Carolina, and from there the family removed to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1810, and settled on a farm when that locality was practically a wilderness and they endured the usual hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. The Miller family originally lived near Versailles, Woodford county, Kentucky, being among the earliest families in the "dark and bloody ground" country. Grandmother Miller often told interesting stories of the Indians, who were numerous in that country when she was a girl. Once they made an attack on the Miller cabin and her mother was seized by an Indian who raised his tomahawk to brain her, when she wrenched loose, seized an axe and killed the red man. His tribesmen later retaliated by killing her husband the first time they ran onto him in the woods. Eleven children were born to Enos Hiatt and wife, namely: William, Adam R. (subject of this sketch), Rachel, Sallie, Elizabeth, Cornelius, Harrison T., Jabez, Martha A., Mary C, and George V.

Adam R. Hiatt grew up amid pioneer environments and he was compelled to work hard on the home farm when a boy. The advantages for an education in those days were very limited and he received little more than the knowledge of how to read and write, but in after life he has become a well informed man by wide home reading and contact with the world. Early in his youth he took up farming for a livelihood and this he has continued to the present time with ever-increasing success, remaining many years in Wayne county, finally removing to Randolph county and locating in Washington township, where he now owns a large, well-improved and productive farm, on which stands a substantial and convenient set of buildings and where an excellent grade of livestock may always be found, everything about his place denoting good management and thrift. He has worked hard and in his earlier years was a man of exceptional physical strength, and although he is now seventy-seven years of age he is still hale and hearty, as a result, very largely of his clean personal habits and methods of high thinking-.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Mr. Hiatt was reared in the faith of the Christian church, from which

He has never departed, and has been an elder in the church of this denomination for over twenty-five years, and he and his family are faithful in their support of the church. Politically, he is a Progressive. Pie is a man of public spirit and has done much for the general upbuilding of his township and county. Pie was a member of the board of commissioners of Randolph county from 1885 to 1890, was justice of the peace four years, and was assessor four years. As a public servant he proved most faithful and efficient, winning the hearty approval of all concerned, irrespective of party alignment. Fraternally, he has been a member of the Free and Accepted Masons since boyhood and his every-day life would indicate that he has made an effort to live up to its sublime precepts. He is a man of progressive ideas, ready to adopt new methods of agriculture when he sees they are practical. He was one of the first to purchase the self-binder in this locality, also among the first to secure other improved farming machinery. Mr. Hiatt was one of the first men of Randolph county to advocate the building of macadamized roads and to help build the first one. His home is known as a place of old-time hospitality, and, as a result of his numerous estimable characteristics he is held in highest esteem by a very wide circle of acquaintances and friends.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ALLEN R. HIATT.

One of the notable institutions of Randolph county is the James Aloorman Orphans' Home, situated two,miles west of Winchester in the midst of a beautiful tract of 174 acres. The institution was endowed by James Moorman October 8. 1888. and is in charge of Allen R. Hiatt, of Winchester. No better choice, it seems, could have been made of a superintendent, for under the fostering care of Mr. and Mrs. Hiatt the home has become everything that such a home should be. The children are healthy and happy, and that is the best evidence of the ability and devotion of the superintendent and his wife. The little orphans immer their charge are treated as carefully and tenderly as they ever treated their own children. The home has become famous throughout the state, and that which has given it its reputation is the character of the children taken from it. The labors of Mr. and Irs. Hiatt here proceed equally from the head and heart, and that is why they are so eminently successful.

Allen R. Hiatt, the son of Amos and Martha (Robertson) Hiatt, was born in Randolph county, April 30, 1860, and is therefore fifty-four years of age, just in the prime of his mature manhood. He is one of a family of seven children, the names of whom are Hannah C, the wife of William T. Roszell, a Randolph county farmer; James C, a builder of winchester, who married Lizzie Ferman; Charles, a Minnesota farmer, who married Mary Cox; Rosa Elmeda, the wife of Nelson Culbertson, of Albany; Mary Elizabeth, who died at the age of eight years: our subject, Allen R.; and Ella, who died at thirty-seven. The latter was'the wife of James Reitnour and left three children.

The ancestors of the Hiatt family in Indiana were the Van Hiatts *of 'ales. Four brothers came together to this country and from these the present family sprang. In the course of time the Van was dropped, the name assuming the simple form of Hiatt. The name is now quite common in the nomenclature of American cognomens. Amos Hiatt, the father of the subject of this review, was born on a farm in Guilford county, North Carolina, and has been a farmer all his life. He was married twice, and by his first wife, nee Bales, he had five children — John Wesley, who died in the army; Samuel IMartin. Louisa, Melissa and Evaline.

February lo, 1883, Allen R. Hiatt was married to Emma E. Trueblood, daughter of Jonathcn Trueblood, a farmer of Blackford county. Six children were born to them, only two of whom are living. The eldest, Edith May, married Ottis Hoskinson, an Adams county farmer, and has one child, [name withheld], born May 16, 1913; the son, Lawrence Douglas, born ni October, 1892, is with his father on the farm. The other children died in infancy.

Mr. Hiatt took up the business of farming equipped with a liberal education of the local schools, and this he has enlarged by application in various branches of information. Anything pertaining to the advancement or more scientific treatment of his business he is especially interested in. It is by adopting the methods of such advanced farmers as Mr. Hiatt that farming has been brought up to its present great productive capacity. He believes in the application of scientific methods, making of farming a more intellectual occupation. To him it is something of an ideal, presenting equal advantages for both mental and physical culture. Mr. Hiatt is a member of the Christian church and is a Progressive in politics. And in both church and political matters he takes a deep interest. All beneficent and charitable enterprises of the church receive his hearty approval and assistance. He is not one of those confirmed pessimists who believe that the church has lost its spirituality and has declined into a mere practical and material organization, but that it has all the vigor of its palmy days and is growing in potentiality. The Progressive movement, Mr. Hiatt considers essential to the development of political and social conditions.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

NELSON B. HIATT.

It can not be other than interesting to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this memorial and; biographical history and varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are outlined, and the effort has been made in each case to throw well-focused light onto the individuality and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each character under consideration. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and human activities is deserving of recognition, whatever may be or have been the field of his endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to perpetuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those represented in its pages, and the value of such publication is certain to be cumulative for all time to come, showing forth the individual and specific accomplishments of which generic history is ever engendered.

One of the citizens of a past generation in Randolph county who is eminently deserving of a conspicuous place in the pages of the present work was the late Nelson B. Hiatt, for more than three decades a well known and successful merchant and business man of Ridgeville, and a citizen of honor and public-spirit who was highly esteemed by a vast acquaintance. He was born in Jay county, Indiana, July 19, 1848, and was a son of Jonathan and Ruth Hiatt, whose family consisted of fifteen children. The mother of our subject died when he was seven years old and the father married a second time, but the last union was without issue. Of the large family only one son and two daughters survive, namely: Lavina, wife of Hamilton Heller, of Pennville, Jay county; he is a retired farmer; twelve children were born to them: Ruth Anna married Charles Briggs, a farmer in Jay county, and they have four children; Jasper C, of Indianapolis, is a widower and has four children.

Jonathan Hiatt, mentioned above, devoted his life to farming. He was a native of North Carolina from which state he came to Jay county, Indiana, when a young man and there located on a farm. His death occurred at the age of seventy-two years.

Nelson B. Hiatt grew up on the home farm in Jay county and there assisted with the general work when a boy. He received his education in the common schools of that community, also passing through Ridgeville college. When but a boy he determined upon a career as merchant and he began in that field of endeavor at Pennville, in his native county, where he remained four years, then moved to Ridgeville, and there continued to operate a general store for a period of thirty-four years, or up to the time of his death. He enjoyed a large and lucrative business with the town and surrounding country, always carrying a well-selected stock of goods which he sold at reasonable prices, and his honesty and courtesy won him the good will and friendship of his hundreds of customers.

Mr. Hiatt was married June 28, 1875, to Rebecca Janney, a daughter of Mahlon and Frances S. (Taylor) Janney, whose family consisted of eleven children, five of whom survive. Mr. Janney devoted his life to farming.

One daughter was born to our subject and wife, Irma Frances, who married John McFarland, of Ridgeville, who was a teacher for sixteen years, and who at this writing is in charge of the store left by our subject. He has three children, Frances E., born in 1902; Portia, born in 1905, and Joseph Howard, born October, 1907. Our subject and wife also reared and educated Lillian Smithson, daughter of Michael and Lavina Smithson. She was born in 1886. Her parents died when she was three and one-half years of age and she was taken by subject and wife. She taught school up to the time of her marriage to Frank Mitchell, manager of the Ridgeville Telephone Co.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MILTON R. HIATT, druggist, Ridgeville, was born in Jay County, Ind. He is the son of Jonathan Hiatt, a native of Virginia. His grandfather was one of the early settlers of Randolph County, Ind. Mr. Hiatt enjoyed a common school education in his native county, and afterward attended the college at Oberlin, Ohio, for one year. He graduated in the Commercial College at Dayton, Ohio, in 1866. In 1809, he married Levina Mastick, a lady of fine accomplishments. She was at one time a teacher in the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, also in Ihe college at Ridgeville in this county. Her father, Owen Mastick, was a native of Vermont, and her mother a native of Connecticut. Until twenty-six, years of age, Mr. Hiatt was engaged in farming, but afterward adopted mercantile pursuits. For fourteen years, he has been engaged in the drug trade at Ridgeville. and has one of the finest stores in Randolph County. It is situated on the corner of AValnut and.Main streets. Mr. Hiatt was elected Town Clerk at the organization of Ridgeville, and served four years, and is now the I'treasurer of the corporation and Secretary of the Board of Ridgeville College, in which capacity he is serving his second term. By his own efforts and industry, he has succeeded in accumulating property to the value of several thousand dollars. His brother, John W., who now resides in Nebraska, was a soldier in the Union army. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.