HETFIELD, Solomon - Putnam

Solomon Hetfield, farmer and politician, Veedersburg. Solomon Hatfield, deceased, was born near Elmira, Chemmung county, New York, in 1800. His parents were Adam and Henrietta Hetfield, the former a native of Scotland and the latter a native of England. S. H. was reared in his native state to farming, the occupation of his father. Ho was first married in New York in 1821, to Mary McConnell, native of Maryland, by whom he had six children, the half of whom are now deceased. Ho was married a second time, to Ann Patton, by whom he had two children. This second wife died in 1876, aged sixty- three years. S. Hetfield came to Fountain county in 1823, settling on Shawnee prairie, where he remained till 1850, when he removed to Van Buren township, one mile south of Veedersburg, where ho remained till his death, which occurred in 1877, in his seventy-eighth year. Ho was elected the second time state representative in 1862, by the democratic party, and took an active part in the legislative proceedings in what is termed the “stormy session of ‘63. ” Ho organized the first Masonic lodge in Fountain county. Solomon Hetfield was a man of good mind and firm intentions. In business he was a success, having accumulated considerable property. His death was not only a loss to his family but to the county and state. He was one of those old pioneers whose face and influence live long after they have been laid to rest, in the memories of both the home circle and the public. Richard Hetfield, son of Solomon Hetfield by his second wife, was born in Fountain county in 1849. His early literary training was such as the common school could furnish. He was married in 1874, to Nora Washborn, daughter of Robert and Lucinda Washborn. She is a native of Fountain county. By this marriage he has three children, Mary, Charley, and Robert. Richard Hetfield now owns and resides on the old home-place of his father. It contains 155 acres. He owns a half-interest in the Hetfield flouring mill, and a half-interest in the Sugar Grove woolen mills.