HUSHAW-Henry - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Henry HUSHAW, farmer, Attica was born in Ross County, Ohio in 1812. His mother, Susanna Wilfong died when he was a lad and in 1828 his father, Samuel removed to Fountain and began a home in the SE corner of Logan Twp, where he lived til his deadh which occured a few years after. At the date of his settlement here the country was destitute of schools and churches. Between his place and Newtown, which was merely staked out there was not a house; and between there and Attica only Judge Milford's place and a few houses close to the village at the mouth of the Little Shawnee, where John McCune lived in a small ruond log cabin and ran a corn cracker, which could be approached only on horseback. A little later McMillin got his mill to running and after that the pioneers had much of their wheat manufactured into flour to haul to Chicago to be exchanged for salt and groceries. Wheat and corn and meal also were hauled there in great quantities from this region. At this period tanning was done at Newtown by Peter Shultz. While great improvements have been made in the condition of the people a very unhappy change has taken place in their social characteristics. Once, freedom, hospitality and generous treatment abounded and hearty cheer and welcome were extended alike to neighbor and stranger. But it is not so now. This contract is universally remarked by old settlers and is to them a subject of most sorrowful reflection. To use Mr. Hushaw's own words, "If men had been as unsocial and selfish then as now, they would have been run out of the country. Everybody was ready and willing to lend everybody a helping hand." This state of things can be deplored not remedied. The more independent men become of one another, rare will become the beautiful exhibitions of human kindness. Mr. Hushaw was married in 1844 to Julia Woods who was born March 1, 1827. 4 children: Sarah Amanda, born March 6, 1845 wife of David Overbay of Neosho County KS; Caroline, May 6, 1849 wife of John Potter; Alice Feb 27, 1852 and Charles Jan 17, 1866. Mr. Hushaw has lived here since his first settlement in the country, except the last two years he was in Kansas with his family. He is democrat.