MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 382
submitted by Neal Carter, October 13, 2007

SUMMONED TO HIS ETERNAL HOME

One of Muscatine’s Honored Pioneers,
the Venerable Harris H. Hine, Dies Suddenly – Biographical Sketch of Deceased
June 8, 1893 (hand written)

The many friends and acquaintances of the venerable Harris H. Hine will learn with deep regret of the sad and sudden death of that honored old settler, who passed away peacefully at 5:40 o’clock last evening. Mr. Hine had apparently been enjoying his wonted good health of late and yesterday in company with his son, Edward, drove down to his farm on the Island and returned in the afternoon, little the worse for fatigue, though still in his usual spirits. He had just seated himself at the supper table and was laughing at some remark made by his young grandson, who was the idol of his care and affection, when he suddenly fell to one side of the chair. His son, Newt., seated at his side, first thought he was reaching for something, b aut glance at the deathly pallor of the patient’s face showed that he was ill. A physician was hastily summoned, but to no purpose, as the aged sufferer expired almost instantly. The cause of his demise was pronounced to be heart failure.

Mr. Hine was a native of Ravenna, O., and his career extended beyond the period of three score and ten years, for had he lived until the 12th inst., he would have attained his 77th year. He was reared and educated in his native place and chose the trade of carpenter as his calling. In 1837 before our commonwealth had been admitted as a state, he joined the tide moving west and located in Muscatine then Bloomington. Here he found occupation in helping to build up the village, engaging his services as a contractor and carpenter and doing a great deal of work in the construction of bridges in the locality. Politically Mr. Hine was a staunch, uncompromising republican and in the ‘60’s his party honored him with three elections as sheriff of Muscatine county. The duties of the office he discharged honorably and with signal ability, and upon retiring from office he successfully pursued his chosen vocation until about eight years ago, since which time he had been leading a retired life.

Socially the deceased was a member of Muscatine Lodge No. 5 I. O. O. F. and though not a member of any church, he was universally esteemed for his probity of character.

April 14th, 1850, Mr. Hine was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Craycraft and their union was blessed with six children, two of whom died in infancy. His aged spouse, who has affectionately shared his joys and sorrows for over two score years, and four children, survive, the latter being Ida M., wife of Mark M. Stewart, of Iowa City; Newton H. and Edward L., and Effie H., wife of C. H. Bartlett, of this city. Two brothers and three sisters of the deceased also survive, being Philo, of Menasha, Wis., Newton and Mrs. Emily Steward, of Shalersville, O.; Mrs. Clarence Williams, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., and Mrs. Amaret Thorndyke, of Findlay, O.

Mr. Hine’s demise removes another familiar figure from our midst and reduces the rapidly diminishing number of honored pioneers who have witnessed the growth of the city for over a half century and who in the work of transformation have borne so prominent a part.

In him the grim reaper, whose final summons came so suddenly, has robbed a home of an indulgent and affectionate husband and father and society of an exemplary citizen.

The funeral appointment will wait upon the arrival of absent members of the family.

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