Jay Hatheway, b 5 Nov 1829

HATHEWAY, POWELL, CRANNELL, HEITT

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 5/5/2004 at 11:31:46

Jay Hatheway is widely and favorably known throughout Van Buren Township as one of its pioneer settlers, having located there with his parents Sept. 4, 1852, when a young man of twenty-two years. Since that time he has made his home on section 23, where he owns and operates a farm of 200 acres, which he has improved and changed from a barren, deserted wilderness to a green, cultivated prairie. He is looked upon as one of the "stay-bys," and is personally of such a reliable and substantial character that he has established himself in the esteem and confidence of all who know him. He has watched the growth and settlement of the Hawkeye State with no ordinary interet, and is justifiably proud of his connection therewith.

Our subject is of excellent New England ancestry, being the son of Simeon and Eunice (Powell) Hatheway, the father a native of Bennington, Vt., and the mother of Berkshire County, Mass. Simeon Hatheway, when a youth of sixteen years, removed to the northern part of his native State, where his parents settled after their marriage. He served as Second Lieutenant in the War of 1812, enlisting at the opening of the conflict, and remaining in the army until its close. In 1852 he removed to what was then the Far West, and remained thereafter a resident of Van Buren Township, this county, engaged moderately in the quiet pursuits of agriculture. He only lived, however, about six years, resting from his earthly labors in 1858. The mother passed away Feb. 22, 1875, at the homestead.

Both the grandfathers of our subject were in the Revolutionary War, the one Levi Hatheway, being a Lieutenant, and the other, John Powell, a Major in Stark's Vermonters, under command of Col. Warner. The original Hatheways were pioneer settlers of the Colony of Connecticut, and are descended from a long line of English and Welsh ancestry. The progenitors of this family in America settled in Connecticut shortly after the landing of the "Mayflower," and it is supposed they were engaged principally in farming. The Hatheways have been for years a noted family in England and in the early New England Colonies. The family in America descended from three brothers, early settlers of this country. Their coat-of-arms represented hunters - a dog, gun and horse.

The Powells were likewise of Welsh and English descent, and they also settled in Connecticut in the early days. They subsequently removed up into Berkshire County, Mass., and it was there, after his marriage, that Grandfather Powell settled on a little farm, and added, from time to time, to his landed estate, until his death. It was at Lanesboro, Berkshire Co., Mass., that his daughter, the mother of Jay Hatheway was born, and there also she was married to Simeon Hatheway.

To Simeon Hatheway and his wife there were born four children: Lucy, born Aug. 20, 1810; Monica, Nov. 11, 1817; Guy, June 21, 1822; and Jay, of this notice. Guy died March 16, 1867, when forty-five years of age.

Jay, the youngest of their children, was born Nov. 5, 1829, in village of Swanton Falls, Franklin Co., Vt., where he lived until coming with his parents to Iowa. He remained there until their decease, the father being quite infirm during his latter years. Jay, therefore, assumed the responsibilities of the farm, and, to a large extent, looked after the domestic affairs of the household.

On the 14th of October, 1867, our subject was married to Miss Mary Ann Crannell, a native of Saratoga County, N.Y., where she was born Oct. 16, 1835. In that county she was reared to womanhood, and at the age of twenty-one came to Iowa with her parents. Her father engaged in farming in Van Buren Township, where he died in 1861, his excellent wife surviving him seven years.

Four children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Hatheway, namely: Eunice, Louisa, Jasper and Guy. The first-named is now the wife of Louis Heitt, a farmer of Van Buren Township. The others are at home with their parents. Mr. Hatheway, politically, was first a member of the old Whig party, but in 1856 identified himself with the Republican party, then newly organized. Prior to this he had been a Constable in Van Buren Township two terms, and has been President, and is now a member of the School Board. Mrs. Hatheway, Mr. Heitt and wife belong to the Congregational church in Preston. The sister Lucy brought a letter from her church in Vermont, and joined when the first church was organized in the township, her sister Monica joining in 1858. Their home is unpretentious but very comfortable, and they number their friends by the scores among the people with whom they have lived so many years.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)