BIOGRAPHY, Rockbridge County, VA- "H" ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** WILLIAM ALBERT HARLOW--is a native of Albermarle county born October 10, 1844. John B and Elmira (Ottley) Harlow were his parents, his father a veteran of the 1812 war. William A. was a soldier of the 1861 war, a member of Company F. 44th Virginia Infantry, Jacksons famous brigade. Among the battles in which he took part were Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Winchester, the Wilderness, Mine Run and Spotsylvania C. H. In the last-named engagement he was made prisoner and sent to Point Lookout, thence to Elmira, New York, where he was held thirteen months. Near Cedar Grove, Rockbridge county, September 26, 1867 William A. Harlow and Mary E. Patton were united in marriage, and their children were nine: Clara R , born September 22, 1869; McClung P., April 1, 1870; Agnes P., February 16, 1872 died April 21, 1873; William A. N., May 23, 1873; Arthur E., February 9,1875; Issac B., August 1, 1877; Roice E., August 18, 1879; Lena T., September 4, 1881; and Ira E., July 16, 1883. Isaac and Elizabeth D. (Shaw) Patton were the parents of Mary E., wife of Mr. Harlow and she was born in Rockbridge county [ ] 1850. William A. Harlow's occupation is farming, and his postoffice address is Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Judith A. Paul, LFBG01A@prodigy.com 1997 ************************************************************************************** MARK HATTON, is a son of of natives of Rockbridge county, Francis and Rebecca (Forehand) Hatton. He was born in this county, January 15, 1834, and here his wedded life began, May 28, 1878. On that day, Rev. A. Q. Flaherty officiating clergyman, he was united in marriage with Hannah E. Siler, who was born in this county, August 5, 1851. P. M. and Patience (Wright:) Siler were her parents, and both were born in Rockbridge county. Mark- Hatton owns and cultivates 12.5 acres of land on Kerrs creek. In the war between the States he enlisted in Company H, 58th Virginia Infantry, in August, 1861, and in the spring of 1862 the company was reorganized and the letter changed to G. He entered the service as, private, was promoted to 3rd sergeant in 1861, to lieutenant in April, 1863, and to captain in August, 1864. He was in the Valley campaign and in nearly all the battles of the Army of Northern Virginia, serving till February 6,1863. when at the battle of Hatchers Run he was wounded by a bullet through the neck. He arrived home a few days before the surrender. His brother, Jacob Hatton, was in the Confederacy, and laid down his life in defense of his principles in the battle of Spotsylvania C.H., May 12, 1864. The postoffice address of Mark Hatton is Denmark, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Judith A. Paul, LFBG01A@prodigy.com 1997 ************************************************************************************** WILLIAM GREENVILLE HAZELWOOD -was born in Fincastle, the countyseat of Botetourt county, Virginia, December 8, 1831. He was a son of James Cole and Mary (Demcey) Hazelwood. With his father, and his brothers John A., Charles T. and Robert C., William G. Hazelwood entered the service of the Confederacy April 18. 1861. The, father died in the army in 1863, from rheumatism, aged about sixty-nine years. William G. served through the war, taking part in all the principal battles of the Virginia Army, and was one of the battle scarred veterans who lay down their arms at Appomattox with General Lee. In Lexington, April 18, 1871, he married Sallie Agnes Quiesenberry, who was born in Augusta county, Virginia, in 1842. For the past twelve years he has been a tailor at the Virginia Military Institute, and still ably fills that position. He has his residence upon valuable property which he owns in @Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Judith A. Paul, LFBG01A@prodigy.com 1997 ************************************************************************************** JOHN JOSEPH HILEMAN-son of Daniel Hileman and Clarinda D. (Trevey) Hileman, who came from Pennsylvania many years ago, was born in Rockbridge county on the farm once owned by his great grandfather. He chose for his life companion Elizabeth Rachel, daughter of Robert and Rachel E. (Armstrong) McCutchen, of Augusta county. The dates of his birth and marriage are March 5, 1834, and May 24, 1859. His wife lived not quite ten years after their marriage, departing this life December 20, 1868, aged about forty years. Their children Susan C., Willie S, Mary A. and Robert D., were born in 1860, 1863, 1866, and 1868. The first is deceased, the second in Lynchburg, and the other two at home. At the beginning of the strife between the States, Mr. Hileman went out in Company H, at first in the 5th, and then in the 4th Virginia, and after the first Manassas battle, where he was wounded in the cheek with a piece of shell, he was transferred to the 27th Regiment, "Stonewall Brigade." At the battle of Gettysburg he was shot in the thigh; and three months later transferred to the quartermaster department and commissioned by the quartermaster- general, A. R. Lawton, as impressing officer under Major James G. Paxton, quartermaster of horse department. He furnished one hundred of the horses that removed Lee's army-baggage from the breastworks at Petersburg at the beginning of the retreat which ended in the surrender at Appomattox. He has yet in his possession many interesting documents relative to his duties while in this department. Also a pistol that was used at the time of the John Brown raid, which he has preserved as a relic. Mr. Hileman is one of the finest marble-cutters in the country, and preeminently a self-made man. He is carrying on a very extensive and profitable business at Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** JAMES F. HITE- born in Augusta county, Virginia. March 22, 1824, in that county, on the 2d of March 1848, was united in marriage with Catharine Lucas, born in that county, September 24, 1819. She was a daughter of Peter and Mollie (Miller) Lucas. After twenty-two years of married life Mrs. Hite departed this life. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hite: William H., October 19, 1850; James S., July 18, 1852; Nannie V. (Miller), November 29, 1854; Emma E., July 24, 1861. The three oldest have homes of their own in Rockbridge county, and the youngest is with her father. James F. Hite was captain of Company K, 93d State Militia, and led his men in fight at Piedmont, Augusta county, June 5, 1864. He was two years justice of the peace in Augusta county, and four years justice since his residence in Rockbridge county. He made his home here in 1876, and owns property in the town of Goshen, 615 acres on the C. & O. R.R., and 35 acres in Bath county. He is keeping a livery stable and boarding house in Goshen, Rockbridge county, and his postoffice address is Goshen. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** WILLIAM S. HITE-has been a resident in Rockbridge county since 1854, and in that year, on the 16th of March, he married Mary Fulton, who was born in this county December 22, 1830. They were married in Rockbridge county, and their children are three, all residents here, two in homes of their town, and the youngest with them. These children were born: Margaret D., July 3 1855; John W., August 24, 1857; Virginia A., September 11, 1862. John and Sarah (Risk) Fulton were the parents of Mrs. Hite. William S. Hite was born in Augusta county, Virginia, October 11, 1829. For three years of the civil war he was in active service in the gallant "Stonewall Brigade," a member of Company B, 27th Virginia Infantry. He took a soldier's part on the fields of Winchester, Harpers Ferry, Cold Harbor, ..[unreadable], Chancellorsville, Cedar Mountain, second battle of Winchester, Gettysburg and Spotsylvania C. H.. He was three times made prisoner of war, at Winchester, when he was held at Fort Delaware, at Gettysburg, where he was wounded, and sent to David Island, New York, and at Spotsylvania C. H., when he was sent to Spotsford Farm. He had a brother, Isaiah H., in the same brigade, Company A, 2d Virginia Infantry, who died at Richmond, December 28, 1863. Two other brothers, John N. and Samuel P., were in the 5th Virginia Infantry, and both wounded, the former at second Manassas, and the latter at Malvern Hill. William S. Hite owns 230 acres of land on the headwaters of Walkers creek, Rockbridge county, and his postoffice address is Moffats Creek, Augusta county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** HENRY CLAY HOLDEN-was born October 2, 1853, in Huntersville, Pocahontas county, (now) West Virginia. He was about nine years of age when his parents, John A. and Elizabeth H. (Varner) Holden, made their home in Rockbridge county, and here he has since resided. He follows the business of house and sign painting, and has for it a natural adaptability. This, added to the close attention he gives his business, renders his work highly satisfactory. He is prepared to do all kinds of house and sign painting, paper hanging, and kalsomining in the latest approved styles, and guarantees satisfaction to his patrons. His place of business and postoffice address, Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** HOUSTON - The most famous character to come out of Rockbridge was General Samuel Houston, whose name and fame and fame are inseparably associated with Texas. he was a grandson of John, the founder of the Rockbridge line of Houstons, and a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Paxton) Houston. In a log house that stood seventy years ago in the rear of Timber Ridge meeting house, the future general was born March 2, 1793. He lost his father in 1806, and three years later he accompanied his mother and his younger brothers and sisters to Blount county in the valley of East Tennessee. He was daring and ambitious from the first, and in his new home he soon showed the venturesomeness which does not seem characteristic of the Houstons as a family. He went for a while to the Cherokees, and was adopted as a son by one of their chiefs. After his return he taught school. When nineteen years old he enlisted to serve against the Creek Indians, and in the battle of Tohopeka he was several times wounded, both by arrow and ball. His gallantry in this engagement made the youth a lieutenant. About 1820 he took up the practice of law. In 1823 he was elected to Congress and served two terms in the lower house. Houston was a born leader of men. So rapidly and effectively did he rise in the attention of the public that in 1827 he was elected governor of Tennessee. He did not serve out his first term. Just after his first marriage he suddenly resigned his office, not making public any reason for doing so. He went beyond the Mississippi to live with an Indian chief whom he had known eleven years earlier. This chief owned a large plantation worked by a dozen slaves. Houston lived among the Cherokees at least three years. This period must be regarded as the low-water mark in his varied career, since it was now that he gave way to the vice of intemperance. But the friendship between himself and the Indians was never broken, and where they were wronged he was always ready to uphold their cause. So far back as 1817, he acted as a sub-agent in the removal of the Cherokees from Georgia, but resigned the following year because of some reflections on his official conduct, and also because of a reproof from Calhoun, Secretary of War, for coming into his presence in Indian attire. During his present residence among the Cherokees he twice visited Washington to protect them from fraud and greed. At the very close of 1832, when Houston was in his fortieth year, there began the most eventful period of his life. By request of the Federal government he visited Texas to make treaties with the border tribes for the protection of traders. Deciding to remain, the Texans sent him to their constitutional convention of April 1833, and he took a leading part in its deliberations. Near the close of 1835, when there was war in Mexico, Houston was made commander-in- chief of the armies of Texas. April 21, 1836, he won the decisive battle of San Jacinto, fighting 1800 men with 700, and inflicting a loss of 1690 against thirty-one on his own side. The invading army was annihilated. Santa Anna, who was not only its leader but also president of Mexico, was taken prisoner. It shows a humane spirit in General Houston that he did not cause the Mexican commander to executed because of his atrocious cruelty on several occasions. The victory of San Jacinto established the independence of the republic of Texas and is a holiday in that commonwealth. When Texas was admitted as a state in the Federal Union, Houston was chosen senator and in this capacity he represented his state at Washington from 1846 until 1859. He was then elected governor of Texas, but because he was inflexibly opposed to secession, General Houston was removed from office in March, 1861. He ignored the secession convention, refused to swear allegiance to the Confederacy, and believed in fighting within the Union if there was to be any war at all. In 1860 he ran next to John Bell in the presidential convention of the Constitutional Union party. After being deposed, Houston went to his home at Huntsville, where he lived quietly until his death, July 26, 1863. General Houston was of commanding presence. He was six feet three inches tall, large-framed, and well-proportioned. In manner he was courteous and pleasing. As a senator he wore coat and breeches of the best broadcloth, a tiger-skin vest, a sombrero, and a bright-colored blanket. He did not care to make money, although he did not lack opportunity. His habits were simple. He lived plainly in a log house and went to bed at nine o'clock. Houston had a melodious voice and was a fine orator. He was a good stump speaker, and could address the borderers in their own dialect. As a legislator he was noted for impartiality and unusual foresight. In the Senate chamber at Washington, he had the curious habit of whittling all day long, fashioning darts, crosses, and other objects that he gave away as curios. As a military leader he was wary, yet brave, able and resolute. In 1854, General Houston became a member of the Baptist Church. By his second wife, Margaret M. Lea, he had four sons and four daughters. Of these, Nettie P. has a record in prose and poetry, while Samuel, Jr., a physician has written for periodicals. John Houston, the pioneer, figured in an exploit during his voyage from Ireland to Philadelphia. He and his fellow passengers became convinced that the captain and crew meant to rob them. So the passengers put the suspects in irons and navigated the vessel themselves. Samuel, Sr., the father of General Houston, was himself a soldier, having served in the Revolution as one of the famous riflemen of Daniel Morgan. Afterward he was an inspector-general of troops on the frontier and held the rank of major. A first cousin was the Reverend Samuel Houston born on Hays Creek, January 1, 1758. He was a graduate of Liberty Hall and was licensed as a Presbyterian minister about 1784. He spent several years in the proposed state of Franklin, which he took a leading part in trying to establish, being a member of the committee that drafted its constitution. Returning in 1789 he now became pastor of the churches at Falling Springs and Highbridge. Mr. Houston was a polished writer and for about twenty years he taught a classical school in a building on his own place. he was original in his ideas and was the inventor and patentee of a threshing machine. His house and barn were built on plans of his own, and his farm of six hundred acres was tilled on more scientific methods than were usual in his day. During his long pastorate he perhaps united more couples than any other minister in Rockbridge. He became blind near the close of his long life, but was to have preached the day he died, which was January 29, 1839. He was tall, erect, and square-shouldered, dignified in manner, and was both particular and old-fashioned in the matter of dress. A son of the last-named, and therefore a second cousin to the general, was the Reverend Samuel R. Houston, born March 12, 1806. He was graduated from Dickenson College in 1825, and after teaching six years at Philadelphia in a school for the deaf and dumb, he was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry, and sailed in 1835 as a missionary to Greece. At historic Sparta he conducted a large mission school. In 1841 he returned to America because of ill-health in his family. During forty-four years he was pastor at Union, W. Va. The diaries that Doctor Houston kept during his residence in foreign lands and as a non-combatant in the war in 1861 are of much historical and descriptive value. He was the father of the late Judge William P. Houston, of Lexington, a gentleman who was a cyclopedia of the local history of Rockbridge. Doctor Houston was also the author of "A History of the Houston Family." In this work he relates that of the progeny of John, the pioneer, nearly fifty were Presbyterian elders, and more than thirty were ministers of the same or other communions. Many of the connection had held civil or military office, while many in the female line married men engaged in the learned professions, or who were otherwise of force and influence. few had become wealthy and none had fallen into gross crime. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** WILLIAM HOOKER HURLBUT-was born in Kingston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1812, a son of Napthali and Olive (Smith) Hurlbut. His parents were natives of Connecticut, his father born in Groton, and his mother in New London. Both died at Burns, New York, the father aged seventy-four, and the mother at the age of sixty-eight. At Arkport, New York, June 26, 1839, William H. Hurlbut married Mary Ann, daughter of Johnson and Susann (Bisset) Cary. She was born in Arkport, which is a town of Steuben county, New York, June 22, 1813, and her parents died in Arkport, her father in September 1862, and her mother on the 13th of October, 1863. They were natives of Pennsylvania, her father born March 5, 1783 and her mother born October 14, 1783. The birth and death record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Hurlbut is: Arthur Cary, born September 14, 1840, died August 4, 1842; Mary Frances, born January 29, 1845, died February 3d following; William Johnson, born August 1, 1846, lives in Lexington; Clarence Avery, born December 30, 1850, died November 16, 1880. Mr. Hurlbut removed in 1844 to Illinois, and for several years engaged in merchandising at Perry. About 1855 he attended land sales in Missouri, and purchased land in Caldwell county, removing there soon after. During the Pikes Peak excitement he joined a company from this county and crossed the plains in 1859 to seek a fortune in the gold fields of the Rocky Mountains, his family returning to New York. After two years of privation, toil and thrilling adventure he returned to the States with a handsome competence, and made his residence in Chicago, Illinois, then at Elgin, same State. From these places he made several trips to the Rockies, exploring and prospecting from Idaho to New Mexico. On his last trip, coming down the Missouri from Fort Benton in an open boat he was made prisoner by a party of Sioux, but subsequently escaped, with the loss of his personal property and gold dust, reaching Fort Randall after a tramp of 200 miles. He again engaged in merchandising in Caldwell county, Missouri, at Mirabile, and there made the acquaintance of William Bowman, whose father had been a resident of Rockbridge county. By the repeated solicitations of this gentleman he was induced, in November, 1873, to come to Rockbridge county to examine into the"traditional" belief that there was silver in the Blue Ridge, in Rockbridge county. A few days after their arrival, Mr. Hurlbut found a specimen of ore which was subsequently ascertained to be tine ore. He returned to Missouri, but in the following year came back to Rockbridge county, purchased his present estate on Irish creek, and settled here. During the summer of 1874 the veins of tin ore were opened which are now know as the Cash mines. Discouraged by capitalists and ridiculed by scientists, the development of the mineral resources of the county flagged until after the completion of the Shenandoah road, but the prospects for mineral developments in Rockbridge county are now very flattering. Mr. Hurlbut has held the office of magistrate for the past seven years. Although now over seventy he is still active, and is frequently in the field with his prospecting hammer. William J., his only living son, was born in Perry, Illinois, and educated in Chicago and Elgin. In 1875 he joined his father in Virginia, having been engaged in his profession of civil engineer in Iowa and Dakota for several years, and in the United States government land survey. He was several years constable in Rockbridge county, and resigned to join the engineering corps of the Shenandoah Valley R. R., and after the completion of that road he was appointed county surveyor, which position he now holds with his office and residence at Lexington, the countyseat. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** WILLIAM G. HUTCHESON-born in Rockbridge, county, May 26, [unreadable] was a son of John and Susan (Larew) Hutcheson, both of whom died in the county. Since he was a mere lad he has worked at the business of saddlery and harness making, in this State and in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and he is now engaged in that business in Lexington. He was joined in wedlock with Susanna Brooks in Rockbridge county, November 23, 1876, Rev. Penick, of the Presbyterian Church, officiating clergyman. Their children are three son, born: James M., July 30, 1877; George W., December 26, 1880; John E., March 18,1882. The wife of Mr. Hutcheson was born in this county, May 30, 1835, daughter of George S. and Elizabeth (Miller) Brooks. Her father died in this county, and her mother is living with Mr. Hutcheson. The brothers and sisters of Mr. Hutcheson are John F., died in Mobil, Alabama; Jane, died when three years old; Mary Ann, married J. J. Rhodes and lives in Lexington; Elizabeth, lives in Lexington; Charles C., died here in 1875; Susanna is the wife of John B. Adams, lives in Lexington. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hutcheson are members in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His post office address is Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 **************************************************************************************