Taken from "History of Allen County, Washington Township" by L. H. Newton, written in 1880
The painted portrait of Thomas Hatfield would present a picture, in whose outlines the qualities of firmness and bravery would stand forth in bold relief -- qualities which were among the most essential possessions of those who were first instrumental in opening the way for the settlement of this county. It would show, farther, the evidence of a mind far above mediocrity, cultivated by a rigorous course of individual application in the circumscribed field of intellectual pursuits to which he was confined; a large amount of physical as well as mental force, and withal, a bright and cheerful disposition, and an inclination to make the best of his uncomfortable surroundings, in the hope of better fortune, to be brought about by industry in the vocation in which he had chosen to act.
He was born in the state of Delaware, and, when twelve years of age, emigrated with his parents to Ohio (then recently admitted as a State), settling in Montgomery County, where he grew to manhood, amid wild scenes of frontier life. His youthful experiences fully qualified him for the part he took in later years in the settlement of the township where he passed the last years of his life, and where his remains now repose. He was yet a young man when the aggressions of Great Britain made a defensive war necessary on the part of the United States in 1812. In that war, he enlisted as a musician, and followed the fortunes of the American army until it's close. He was with the garrison at Fort Greenville, and while there manufactured a pewter fife, which he carried through-out his period of service, and which often awoke the echoes with the patriot airs of the day. This he bequeathed to his son, Benjamin, in whose homestead it is now treasured as a sacred relic.
After the close of his solder life, he returned to Montgomery County, Ohio, and resumed the occupation of farming. He married Miss Elizabeth Archer, and rented a farm in the neighborhood of his father's home. He saw at once that his fortune would accumulate slowly under such circumstances, and denied himself all save the necessities of life, in order to save money wherewith to purchase a farm. Land in Ohio was increasing in value year by year, and his attention was naturally drawn toward the cheaper lands in Indiana.
Early in 1825, he visited this State---shaping the course Allen County---and during that visit selected and entered a tract of land in Washington Township. Returning to Ohio, he made all necessary preparations for the journey, and in November, 1825, started, with his family and household goods, for the new home, and his second struggle on the outposts of civilization. He settled first on Little St. Joseph River, reaching his destination December 6, 1825. After clearing a farm at that point, he made it his home, and there resided until 1833, when he sold it and entered the farm upon which he passed the residue of his life, and upon which his son Benjamin now resides.
He was an acknowledge leader in the community of which he was the first member, and from the organization of the township, in 1832, until his death, in 1863, he was constantly associated with the official business of the township ; as Justice of the Peace for twenty-five years ; as Township Clerk, and Inspector of Elections at various times. He was a member of the Baptist Church and a devout Christian ; and all who knew him unite in honoring his memory. He had two daughters and one son, all of whom are now living.
The painted portrait of Thomas Hatfield would present a picture, in whose outlines the qualities of firmness and bravery would stand forth in bold relief -- qualities which were among the most essential possessions of those who were first instrumental in opening the way for the settlement of this county. It would show, farther, the evidence of a mind far above mediocrity, cultivated by a rigorous course of individual application in the circumscribed field of intellectual pursuits to which he was confined; a large amount of physical as well as mental force, and withal, a bright and cheerful disposition, and an inclination to make the best of his uncomfortable surroundings, in the hope of better fortune, to be brought about by industry in the vocation in which he had chosen to act.
He was born in the state of Delaware, and, when twelve years of age, emigrated with his parents to Ohio (then recently admitted as a State), settling in Montgomery County, where he grew to manhood, amid wild scenes of frontier life. His youthful experiences fully qualified him for the part he took in later years in the settlement of the township where he passed the last years of his life, and where his remains now repose. He was yet a young man when the aggressions of Great Britain made a defensive war necessary on the part of the United States in 1812. In that war, he enlisted as a musician, and followed the fortunes of the American army until it's close. He was with the garrison at Fort Greenville, and while there manufactured a pewter fife, which he carried through-out his period of service, and which often awoke the echoes with the patriot airs of the day. This he bequeathed to his son, Benjamin, in whose homestead it is now treasured as a sacred relic.
After the close of his solder life, he returned to Montgomery County, Ohio, and resumed the occupation of farming. He married Miss Elizabeth Archer, and rented a farm in the neighborhood of his father's home. He saw at once that his fortune would accumulate slowly under such circumstances, and denied himself all save the necessities of life, in order to save money wherewith to purchase a farm. Land in Ohio was increasing in value year by year, and his attention was naturally drawn toward the cheaper lands in Indiana.
Early in 1825, he visited this State---shaping the course Allen County---and during that visit selected and entered a tract of land in Washington Township. Returning to Ohio, he made all necessary preparations for the journey, and in November, 1825, started, with his family and household goods, for the new home, and his second struggle on the outposts of civilization. He settled first on Little St. Joseph River, reaching his destination December 6, 1825. After clearing a farm at that point, he made it his home, and there resided until 1833, when he sold it and entered the farm upon which he passed the residue of his life, and upon which his son Benjamin now resides.
He was an acknowledge leader in the community of which he was the first member, and from the organization of the township, in 1832, until his death, in 1863, he was constantly associated with the official business of the township ; as Justice of the Peace for twenty-five years ; as Township Clerk, and Inspector of Elections at various times. He was a member of the Baptist Church and a devout Christian ; and all who knew him unite in honoring his memory. He had two daughters and one son, all of whom are now living.
Taken from "History of Allen County, Washington Township" by L. H. Newton, written in 1880
The painted portrait of Thomas Hatfield would present a picture, in whose outlines the qualities of firmness and bravery would stand forth in bold relief -- qualities which were among the most essential possessions of those who were first instrumental in opening the way for the settlement of this county. It would show, farther, the evidence of a mind far above mediocrity, cultivated by a rigorous course of individual application in the circumscribed field of intellectual pursuits to which he was confined; a large amount of physical as well as mental force, and withal, a bright and cheerful disposition, and an inclination to make the best of his uncomfortable surroundings, in the hope of better fortune, to be brought about by industry in the vocation in which he had chosen to act.
He was born in the state of Delaware, and, when twelve years of age, emigrated with his parents to Ohio (then recently admitted as a State), settling in Montgomery County, where he grew to manhood, amid wild scenes of frontier life. His youthful experiences fully qualified him for the part he took in later years in the settlement of the township where he passed the last years of his life, and where his remains now repose. He was yet a young man when the aggressions of Great Britain made a defensive war necessary on the part of the United States in 1812. In that war, he enlisted as a musician, and followed the fortunes of the American army until it's close. He was with the garrison at Fort Greenville, and while there manufactured a pewter fife, which he carried through-out his period of service, and which often awoke the echoes with the patriot airs of the day. This he bequeathed to his son, Benjamin, in whose homestead it is now treasured as a sacred relic.
After the close of his solder life, he returned to Montgomery County, Ohio, and resumed the occupation of farming. He married Miss Elizabeth Archer, and rented a farm in the neighborhood of his father's home. He saw at once that his fortune would accumulate slowly under such circumstances, and denied himself all save the necessities of life, in order to save money wherewith to purchase a farm. Land in Ohio was increasing in value year by year, and his attention was naturally drawn toward the cheaper lands in Indiana.
Early in 1825, he visited this State---shaping the course Allen County---and during that visit selected and entered a tract of land in Washington Township. Returning to Ohio, he made all necessary preparations for the journey, and in November, 1825, started, with his family and household goods, for the new home, and his second struggle on the outposts of civilization. He settled first on Little St. Joseph River, reaching his destination December 6, 1825. After clearing a farm at that point, he made it his home, and there resided until 1833, when he sold it and entered the farm upon which he passed the residue of his life, and upon which his son Benjamin now resides.
He was an acknowledge leader in the community of which he was the first member, and from the organization of the township, in 1832, until his death, in 1863, he was constantly associated with the official business of the township ; as Justice of the Peace for twenty-five years ; as Township Clerk, and Inspector of Elections at various times. He was a member of the Baptist Church and a devout Christian ; and all who knew him unite in honoring his memory. He had two daughters and one son, all of whom are now living.
The painted portrait of Thomas Hatfield would present a picture, in whose outlines the qualities of firmness and bravery would stand forth in bold relief -- qualities which were among the most essential possessions of those who were first instrumental in opening the way for the settlement of this county. It would show, farther, the evidence of a mind far above mediocrity, cultivated by a rigorous course of individual application in the circumscribed field of intellectual pursuits to which he was confined; a large amount of physical as well as mental force, and withal, a bright and cheerful disposition, and an inclination to make the best of his uncomfortable surroundings, in the hope of better fortune, to be brought about by industry in the vocation in which he had chosen to act.
He was born in the state of Delaware, and, when twelve years of age, emigrated with his parents to Ohio (then recently admitted as a State), settling in Montgomery County, where he grew to manhood, amid wild scenes of frontier life. His youthful experiences fully qualified him for the part he took in later years in the settlement of the township where he passed the last years of his life, and where his remains now repose. He was yet a young man when the aggressions of Great Britain made a defensive war necessary on the part of the United States in 1812. In that war, he enlisted as a musician, and followed the fortunes of the American army until it's close. He was with the garrison at Fort Greenville, and while there manufactured a pewter fife, which he carried through-out his period of service, and which often awoke the echoes with the patriot airs of the day. This he bequeathed to his son, Benjamin, in whose homestead it is now treasured as a sacred relic.
After the close of his solder life, he returned to Montgomery County, Ohio, and resumed the occupation of farming. He married Miss Elizabeth Archer, and rented a farm in the neighborhood of his father's home. He saw at once that his fortune would accumulate slowly under such circumstances, and denied himself all save the necessities of life, in order to save money wherewith to purchase a farm. Land in Ohio was increasing in value year by year, and his attention was naturally drawn toward the cheaper lands in Indiana.
Early in 1825, he visited this State---shaping the course Allen County---and during that visit selected and entered a tract of land in Washington Township. Returning to Ohio, he made all necessary preparations for the journey, and in November, 1825, started, with his family and household goods, for the new home, and his second struggle on the outposts of civilization. He settled first on Little St. Joseph River, reaching his destination December 6, 1825. After clearing a farm at that point, he made it his home, and there resided until 1833, when he sold it and entered the farm upon which he passed the residue of his life, and upon which his son Benjamin now resides.
He was an acknowledge leader in the community of which he was the first member, and from the organization of the township, in 1832, until his death, in 1863, he was constantly associated with the official business of the township ; as Justice of the Peace for twenty-five years ; as Township Clerk, and Inspector of Elections at various times. He was a member of the Baptist Church and a devout Christian ; and all who knew him unite in honoring his memory. He had two daughters and one son, all of whom are now living.
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