Hiatt - Silas - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Silas HIATT, farmer and stock raiser, Darlington, is the oldest person now living who was born in the County. His parents, John and Sarah KENWORTHY), were natives of North Carolina, where they were married, and removed at an early date to Ohio, from which state they came to Union township, Montgomery County, where the subject of this memoir was born, August 5, 1823. His maternal great-grandfather came to America from London previous to the revolutionary war, and served throughout the whole campaign, his grandmother hiding the valuables in the soap barrel to prevent the soldiers carrying them off. During his youth the Indians were still in this part of the country, and when quite a little fellow he can recollect of witnessing the exodus of the aborigines, there being a body of over 300 horsemen, beside the other members of the tribe, all dressed in gorgeous style, and presenting a gay appearance. He received his early education at the pioneer log school-house, his tutor being Jedediah BOWLES. Col. Clark was his companion, and sat on the same split pole bench. The education here received was very limited, having only attended in all nine months, but during his after life he has studied and improved himself greatly. He has followed farming since he reached his eighth year, and has just passed through his forty-third harvest. He married, in 1843, Miss Elizabeth KASHNER, whose father was one of the early settlers of this neighborhood. His first wife having died, he, in 1848, married Miss Elzira BOOHER, whose parents arrived here about 1830. By the latter union there is a family of seven children: Eleanor, Ira, Elvira, Clara, Lydia, Belle, and William. Mr. Hiatt now has a splendid farm of 100 acres, well improved and in general good shape, the result of his own industry and thrift. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., and trustee of the lodge, and in politics is connected with the republican party. - typed by kbz