Hiett - John - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

His father, Wm Hiett, was a native of Virginia and was married to Miss Mary Daniel, of the same state, both of them belonging to honorable families. In 1806 Wm Hiett and wife moved to the new state of Ohio, and became residents of Adams County, in that portion of the county that afterward was included in Brown County. In the father and mother of John Hiett dwelt all the noble characteristics of the early pioneers. John Hiett, the son was one of eight children, and the last representative of his father’s family. Wm Hiett died before the son, John, had reached the age of seven years. Not only were the privations of early pioneer life to be borne, but orphanage also laid its burdens upon the son. He was schooled to labor, taught the first principles of economy, industry, integrity, and in a rugged way prepared for life’s struggle. In 1835 John Hiett, with his family, moved to Indiana and settled in Jackson Township, Tippecanoe County, where he has for sixty years resided, and where he had become identified with all the interests of the county and state. His acquaintanceship and influence reached far beyond the quiet rural neighborhood where he had so long lived. His life has been woven into the change that has taken place by which the primitive conditions have become the beautiful cultivated garden spot of Indiana.

In the death of John Hiett the community and county loses an honorable citizen, identified and in sympathy will all that is worthy in the political, intellectual and moral principles of the commonwealth.

His present wife, formerly Miss Mary F. Davidson, together with eight children, and grandchildren and great grandchildren are left in sadness at this separation. An irreparable loss is felt by all, for one who has been for three score years connected prominently by his integrity and honor, and industry, with all that is good and permanent, in the moral, intellectual and social life of the community. From the lofty height of four score and six years John Hiett looked upon the toil of men, the love of youth and the play of children. His life is an open book, read of all men. He was a man of positive convictions and fearless heart. He has been for years prominently connected with the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masonry. The principles he loved and the teachings he followed. Its recognition of God he accepted and its duties toward man his principles. His relation to the church was always friendly and helpful. His belief in God and Jesus Christ was higher than his subscription to human creed, yet with the certainties of the future before him he could not be content to leave with a more formal confession of what was a spiritual faith in the breast. In last December he was received into the church making the public avowal of his saving faith in Jesus Christ. In this faith he lived and died and has been gathered with his fathers. We may say truly, well done, when we look at the earthly side of the life. We leave him with God, who receiveth all who come unto Him in the place prepared for the faithful.

Journal Friday, 12 July 1895

John Hiett, one of the pioneers of Tippecanoe County, died at his home near Sugar Grove on the evening of the 6th inst., aged 87 years. The funeral services were held at Sugar Grove M. E. Church Tuesday, July 9, at 10 a.m. conducted by Rev. G. W. Switzer, of Brazil.