HANEY, John SR 1798-1875

HANEY, TOLLS, HEMENWAY

Posted By: S. Ferrall & R.R. Johnson - IAGenWeb volunteers
Date: 8/26/2023 at 16:42:46

Died, at the residence of John Haney, Jr., on Thursday, the 15th inst. John Haney, SR, aged 77 years.

The funeral services were held on Monday afternoon at the M.E. Church, Rev. James W. Haney, of Abington, Ill., a nephew of the deceased, officiating. So large was the crowd of those who desired to pay their last and sad respects to the honored dead that hundreds were unable to gain admission to the church, and the cortege which followed the remains to their final resting place was one of the largest ever gathered in this city.

The business houses of all kinds in the city were closed by a proclamation of the mayor requesting that it be done as a mark of respect to the deceased, and the town wore an aspect of sorrow and mourning. Below will be found a brief biographical sketch of he who has gone out from among us into the dark abyss of the unknown future, and into which, sooner or later, we who knew him well and is numbered among the early settlers of Lansing:

Mr. Haney was born in Lafayette County, Penn., Sept. 15, 1798, and while in infancy emigrated with his parents to Washington Co. in the same state. His father was a clergyman, and instilled into his youthful mind the principles of morality and integrity, which characterized him in after life.

In the year 1815 he removed to Richland Co., Ohio, and among the heavy forests there opened and cleared up a farm. He spent a portion of his time in surveying, was largely interested in public improvements, and during this period laid out and became the proprietor of the town of Savanna, in Ashland Co.

He also surveyed and laid out the first state road from this portion of the state to the northern boundary on Lake Erie, built mills at the above place and made many other improvements which still remain, a lasting memorial to his self-sacrificing industry and enterprising worth.

In the year of 1832 he again emigrated west. This time he chose Rushville, Schuyler Co., Ill., as his future place of residence, where he remained until 1841, when he again removed north to Prairie du Chien, Wis. After residing a short time at this place, he selected a farm at what is now known as "Haney's Valley," on the Kickapoo in the same state. On account of the isolated position and the many disadvantages the settlers were laboring under, he removed with his family to Galena, Ills., for the purpose of education his younger children.

In the spring of 1848 he entered into a negotiation with H.H. Houghton, the pioneer editor of the Gazette, and a warm and personal friend of his, they jointly to purchase the claims and enter the land on which the city of Lansing now stands. Accordingly the same spring he removed with his family again to try his fortune on the western bank of the "Father of Waters."

His elder sons, James and William, co-operated with him and assisted materially in erecting mills and engaging in other enterprises for the benefit of the place. His son John, residing then at St. Paul, having been connected for a number of years with the Indian trading companies of the North-west, during the summer of 1852 united his fortunes with them and made Lansing his future home.

Mr. H. landed at what is now known as "Front Street," in the city of Lansing, and commenced immediately to rear a suitable log cabin for the accommodation of his family and friends. This humble abode stood for more than a quarter of a century, a welcome place for thousands who partook of the generous hospitality freely offered by the warm and generous-hearted pioneer of Lansing.

Many who traveled by steamboat, in days gone by, in passing this lovely spot where wont to point out with pleasure and pride the first log cabin, and speak in words of kindness and respect of him wo reared it. Every log which composed its structure, and every shake upon the roof, were hallowed by memories never to be forgotten.

The poor and needy always found in Mr. Haney a friend, the first to welcome and foremost to relieve their wants, and the many who sought his charities never went away without relief. The red men of the forest claimed his sympathies and found in him a friend. They would frequently congregate in and around his patriarchial dwelling, receive his counsel and hail him as their benefactor.

Strangers who were seeking homes in Northern Iowa, found him always ready to give every desired information and ever ready to go and assist them in making their selections without any remuneration whatever.

Among his early friends and associates were Gov. Dodge, of Wis.; Judge Dunn, Lorenzo Bevins, of Plattville, Wis.; Col. Thomas and Col. Brisbow, of Prairie du Chien, Wis.; A.C. Dodge, of Burlington; Judge T.S. Wilson, Maj. Mobly, Hon. Timothy Davis and Gen. J.M. Harrison, of Dubuque; Judge Murdock, A. McGregor, Judge Noble, of Clayton county, Iowa; and many others of the early settlers of the upper Mississippi country. The name of Mr. Haney will long be remembered by his many friends and associates, and his many virtues must awaken a lively interest in the heart of every well wisher of mankind.

His life was the measure of the growth and development of the great west. His eye had watched with its piercing ray, the progress of the Western States from dreary savage wilds and shaded solitudes, to the full development of populous cities, towns, and villages surrounded by the fertile fields of the husbandman and filled with arts, luxuries and busy commerce of civilization.

He lived to see the wonderful transformation in the face of nature as they passed before him in the course of his life, like the changing scenes of a panorama. His voice encouraged, advised and cheered the people as they labored in the great work of rearing a great nation.

He had an uncommon bright, active and scrutinizing mind, cultivated by a high education, which made his social intercourse with mankind, kind, pleasant and instructive, pleasing and unassuming manners, in industry most indefatigable, loved by his family, respected by his friends and honored by the people.

He has passed from among us -- gazed for the last time upon friends and scenes so dear to him on earth, and has left what is precious and enduring -- a name without reproach.

A Card
We wish to return our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Lansing and the community in general, for the sympathy manifested during the late illness of our deceased father, and also the kind respects shown to him at his burial.
James Haney
John Haney, Jr.
Wm. Haney
Dick Haney
Martha Hemenway
Sarah Haney

~North Iowa Journal, Wednesday, April 21, 1875; pg 3

Note: The obit of Fanny (Tolls) Haney states she was the wife of John Haney SR. They are buried in Oak Hill cemetery

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Originally posted by Reid R. Johnson on 1/27/2013:

Postville Review, Wed., 28 Apr. 1875.

John Haney, Sr., the first white inhabitant and proprietor of that townsite, died in Lansing a few days ago. He was 77 years of age and had resided in Lansing 27 years.