Samuel P. Hathaway has the reputation of a strictly first-class businessman, reliable and energetic, and is a citizen of whom Wood county may justly be proud. He is one of the oldest merchants of Luckey, having begun business there in 1872, and in 1881 erected a two-story building, which burned down in 1893, but with characteristic energy he at once rebuilt it, and now has a substantial two-story brick block, in which he is doing a large and lucrative business.

A native of Wood County, Mr. Hathaway was born in Webster Township October 6, 1847, and is a son of Isaac M. and Nancy (Stevens) Hathaway, the former a resident of Geauga County, Ohio, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. The father’s birth occurred in 1822, and in his native county he acquired his education, after which, at the age of eighteen years, he came to Montgomery township, Wood county, with his parents, Daniel and Polly (Merricks) Hathaway, both of whom were born in Fall River, Mass. About 1820 the grandparents of our subject removed to Geauga County, Ohio, and later came to Montgomery township, this county, where they opened up a farm. For many years they made their home in Webster Township, Wood County, where the grandfather died in 1856, and his wife in 1880. He served his country in the war of 1812. By trade the father was a shoemaker, but also carried on farming. In Webster Township he enlisted, in 1861, as a member of Company K, 21st O. V. I., for three years, being mustered in at Findlay, Ohio, and served in the army of the Cumberland. At the close of his term he reenlisted in the same company and regiment, and was killed on May 31, 1864, at New Hope Church. His wife still survives him, and makes her home in Luckey. Our subject is the eldest in their family of six children, the others being James and John, both of Luckey; Mary, who died in Webster township; Mrs. Elizabeth Nichols, of Michigan; and Mrs. Lasetta Hibbs, of Auburndale, Lucas Co., Ohio.

S. P. Hathaway was reared in the usual manner of farmer boys, receiving his education in the district schools of Webster township, but after the outbreak of the Civil war, although quite young, he laid aside civil pursuits, and in 1864 joined Company K, 21st O. V. I., enlisting for three years or until the close of the war. He was mustered into the United States service at Toledo, Ohio, and was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, including the engagements at Buzzard’s Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kingston, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Jonesboro, siege of Savannah, went in pursuit of Hood, and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He was in the Carolina campaign, being in the battles of Averyboro and Bentonville, and at the latter place was taken prisoner. He was confined at Danville and Richmond. On being discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in June 1865, he returned to his home in Webster Township, where he followed farming for a time. At Toledo, in 1866, he joined the regular army, and during the three years of his service was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Fort Randall and Fort Sully, after which he returned to Wood County.

On August 20, 1873, Mr. Hathaway was married to Delila (Bochman) Kinney, and to the marriage was born a daughter, Mary (Mrs. Clem Eberhart), September 7, 1874. She was educated in the public schools of Luckey and of Albion, Ind., and is now a resident of Ann Arbor, Mich., and has one child, Gertrude.

In 1878, in Troy township, Mr. Hathaway was the second time married, this time to Miss Mary Bushnell, a native of Sandusky county, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Emily (Clough) Bushnell, who were early pioneers of Troy township, and are-both now deceased. The lady is a sincere and faithful member of the Christian Church.

In his political relations, Mr. Hathaway is identified with the Republican Party, served acceptably as postmaster under both Harrison and Garfield, and is a notary public of TroyTownship. He belongs to Benedict Post, No. 26, G. A. R., at Pemberville, in which he has filled the chair of quartermaster-sergeant, and is a member of Freedom Lodge No. 127, I. O. O. F. Personally and in a business sense he is popular among his townsmen, and considered a valuable addition to the community.

 

 “Wood county Ohio, Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1897”

“Luckey Cenntenial Book”