In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1908) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1844, Springfield Township
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908), A Biographical record of Clark county, Ohio .. (1902)
JAMES HATFIELD.
record of those agriculturists who have promoted the improvement and development of Clark county, causing the fields to yield abundantly for their well directed efforts, must necessarily include the name of James Hatfield, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock raising and the breeding of Poland-China hogs, in Green township. Mr. Hatfield was born in Springfield township April 12, 1844, '"i' ' 'i ''i of James and Margaret (Kitchen) Hatfield. The father was born in 1803 and came to (lark county with his parents, Nathaniel and Xancy (Judy) Hatfield, in 1808. when he was alxiut fwt years of age. The grandparents were among the first settlers of Clark county, having taken uj) their above about one and one-half miles northeast of Pitchin. in Springfield township, where Nathaniel Hatfield became the owner of three or four hundred acres of land. He was not an old man at the t,ime of his death, his demise being caused by milk sickness. James Hatfield, the father of the subject of this review, was also called to his final rest at a comparatively early age, dying when his son James was but eleven years of age. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania and had come to Clark county, Ohio, with her parents when a girl. By her marriage she became the mother of fourteen children, of whom the subject of this record is the. tenth in order of birth. Of these, eleven grew to maturity, but only four are yet living.
At the time of the death of his father, Mr. Hatfield, whose name introduces this review, was bound out to a brother-in-law, to remain with him until eighteen years of age. He performed such labor in repayment for his board and clothing as he was able, attending school during four months in winter, but at the age of fifteen he began to work by the month for himself. For one year he continued in this way and, at the age of sixteen, went to Hillsdale. Michigan, where he attended Hillsdale College for two. years. About this time the Civil war was inaugurated and. roused by a spirit of patriotism and the desire to serve his country in her time of need, he returned home and enlisted, in the spring of 1862. as a private, under Howard D. Johns, in Company B, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was stationed at Camp Chase, thence going to Clarksljurg, West Virginia, remaining there for about four months. His enlistment had been for three months, and his term having therefore expired, he re-enlisted as a member of Company D. Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavah-y. With his regiment he-went to the Shenandoah valley and was with the gallant "Little Phil"' Sheridan m several engagements. At Beverly, Virginia, he was captured, but regained his freedom in aboutfifteen minutes. Having served his country faithfully and well, and his efforts, combined with those of the other brave boys in blue, had resulted in quelling the Rebellion, at the close of the war in 1865, he was honorably discharged, and returned to his old home in Clark county.
Before his enlistment he had taught school for a short time in Liberty township, Clark county. After remaining a short time in Clark county, in 1865, upon his return from service in the army, he went to Logan county, Illinois, and there engaged in teaching. There he also purchased one hundred and fifty acres of land, which at the present time is worth one hundred dollars per acre. He remained in Logan county for about < ine year, when he returned to Clark county. Ohio, and there, on the 12th of April, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Harriet J. Stewart, a daughter of Captain Perry and Rlioda A. (Wheeler) Stewart. With his liride he returned to Logan county, Illinciis, but in 1867 sold his farm in that county and returned to Clark county, Ohio, and for a few years ' rented and then purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which forms part of his present farm. This purchase was made in 1872. He has placed his land under a high state of cultivation, having made all the improvements thereon, which are of the latest and most modern kind. The well tilled fields and neat and attractive appearance of the farm indicate the practical lousiness methods of the owner, who, in his varied experiences in life has witnessed many vicissitudes, but through them all his brave and indomitable spirit has conquered, and in his private life, as on the field of battle, he has turned many a threatened defeat into a glorious victory.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield has been blessed with three children, as follows: Charles Stewart, born in Logan county, Illinois, May 27. 1867, resides at home with his parents. Jessie R., born in Clark county, Ohio, also lived at home until she became the wife of Alonzo Strecher, a resident of Green township. They have two children — Edwin and Robert. Julia M. married Clarence Anderson, and also resides in Green, township.
In his political affiliations Mr. Hatfield is a Republican, having first cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 while in the army. His fellow citizens, recognizing his integrity, have called him to positions of public trust and he served at treasurer of Green township. In 1902 he canvassed the county for cotinty commissioner, and his popularity is shown by the fact that of six candidates he was the second highest. He and his wife are earnest and consistent members (if the High street Christian church, and in their quiet way perform many acts of kindliness and charity, thus doing what they can for the benefit of their fellow men. Mr. Hatfield is a charter member of James A. Elder Post, G. A. R., and has filled all the chairs connected therewith. He has attended most of the national reunions and attended the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893..Faithful in one thing — faithful in all: such is the record. As a bra-e soldier and a public-spirited citizen, Mr. Hatfield has performed his duties well and faithfully, aiding his country in times of war, and in times of peace contributingto the substantial gniwtli of his community and state. His measure of prosperity has been meted to liiin with-liberal hand, because he has never been spring of his efforts for the welfare of his country.
As printed in A Biographical record of Clark county, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
HON. JAMES HATFIELD, who capable represented Clark Coimty in the Ohio State Legislature, is a veteran of the Civil War and a prominent farmer of Green Township. He was born in Springfield Township, April 12, 1844, is a son of James and Margaret (Kitchen) Hatfield, and a grandson of Nathaniel and Nancy (Judy) Hatfield.
Nathaniel Hatfield, the grandfather, was one of the pioneer farmers of what is now Clark County, coming with his family as early as the year 1808. He located about one and a half miles northeast of Pitchin, in Spring-field Township, where he became owner of several hundred acres of land. His death resulted from milk sickness while he was in the prime of his life. James Hatfield, father of our subject, was born in 1803, and was five years of age when brought to this country by his parents. He followed farming until his death, which occurred at the age of fifty-two years. He was joined in marriage with Margaret Kitchen, who was born in Pennsylvania and was a small girl when her parents moved to Clark County, Ohio. They were parents of fourteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, and of these-the present survivors are James, the subject of this sketch, and two sisters.
James Hatfield, Jr., was six years of age when his mother died, and he was left an orphan at eleven years. Upon the death of his father he was bound out to a brother-in-law, to remain with him until eighteen years of age. He performed such labor as he could on the farm in payment for board and clothing, attending school during four months of the winter, but at the age of fifteen he began to work out by the month for himself. At sixteen he went to Hillsdale, Michigan, and attended Hillsdale College two years. Then returning to Clark County, he engaged in teaching, being thus employed in the Liberty School for a time. In the spring of 1862, he enlisted for three months' service in Company B, Eiglity-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Howard D. Johns, and after being stationed at Camp Chase for a time, accompanied the regiment to Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he remained for about four months. His term of enlistment having expired, he re-enlisted as a member of Company D, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He was with his regiment in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, and was in numerous engagements under General Sheridan. At Beverly, Virginia, he was taken captive, but an overwhelming desire for freedom resulted in his escape fifteen minutes later. He participated in many engagements and served in the army until the war closed, performing his duty with a bravery and courage meriting the commendation he received. He returned to his home in Clark County in 1865, but after a short stay went west to Logan County, Illinois, where for a time he engaged in teaching school. There he purchased 150 acres of land, now valued at more than one hundred dollars per acre, and in 3866 returned to Clark County, Ohio, to be married. He was married on April 12th of that year and immediately thereafter returned to Logan County with his bride. He farmer there until 1867, when, having sold his property, he returned to Clark County, where he rented and farmer for several years. In 1872 he purchased the 125 acres which now consists of his home property and set about converting it into an up-to-date farm. He has always farmer along the line of the most modern and approved methods, and the success attained by him bespeaks his business sagacity and managerial ability. He has always taken an active and intelligent interest in all that relates to the welfare of his home community, and frequently has been called upon to fill offices of public trust. He is a Republican, having cast his first presidential ballot for Lincoln in 1864. In Green Township he served as treasurer for some years. He next became the candidate of his party for state rejjresentative, and after his election to that office served this district with an intelligence and faithfulness that brought him a host of new friends and followers. He is a man of marked ability, and in the discharge of his official duties brought into play the same energy, sagacity and good judgment which have always characterized his private dealings.
Mr. Hatfield was joined in marriage with Harriett J. Stewart, a daughter of Perry and Rhoda Ann (Wheeler) Stewart, and they reared three children, namely: Charles Stewart, who was born in Logan County, Illinois, May 27, 1867; Jessie R., who married Alonzo Stretcher and has two children — Edwin and Robert; and Julia M., who married Clarence Anderson, lives in Green Township and has one daughter — Harriet Helen. Mr. Hatfield is a member of James A. Elder Post,
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Charles Stewart (b. 1825)
Their biographies name James Hatfield: John H. Avise (b. 1872) David Wilmot Stewart (b. 1848) Charles F. Wise Joseph I. Perrin Perry Stewart (b. 1866) John H. Wise (b. 1872) Lewis Wise (b. 1829)
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.