222. From Museum Genealogy Files: Hiatt Reunion (1937), 1st Centennial Farm (1964)

RCHS Blog Post Number 222. 

From Museum Genealogy Files: 

Hiatt Reunion (1937), 1st Centennial Farm (1964)

Published on March 30, 2021.  

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Hiatt Reunion, August, 1937.

  At the Hiatt reunion Sunday at Goodrich Park the following article was read. As it was written in 1902, in all probability it will be of interest to descendants and friends of this locality, therefore, with this thought in mind, the article is herewith reprinted;

  The Hiatt Reunion Association.  "A few days ago Jesse Hiatt, who lives one-half mile east of Olive Branch thought that he would invite his brothers and sisters with their children and grandchildren to come and spend a day at his home. These invitations soon extended in a verbal way to the Hiatt family and as a result about one hundred people came to his home to spend the day. The usual good dinner was spread in the grove, but, of course, on this occasion, it being prepared by the Hiatt ladies, surpassed in goodness any other attempts on similar occasions. Why, they say that even Ellis McNEES, of Farmland, actually ate all that he wanted and Mrs. E. R. Hiatt, of Winchester found an over abundance of scraps and bones in her dinner basket when she reached home."

  "All be it, an exceedingly pleasant day was spent, so pleasant at its close it was the unanimous opinion of those present that a permanent organization should be formed and a general invitation sent out, that the Hiatts and their kin might come together at least once a year to tell each other of their joys and successes in life."

  "Under the permanent organization Eli Hiatt of Farmland, was chosen president and James G. STANLEY, of Ridgeville, secretary and treasurer and Saturday Sept. 6, 1903, the day all persons, who have Hiatt blood coursing in their veins, to meet at Lakeside Park in Ridgeville in their first annual reunion of the Hiatt family. Names listed as present were Hiatt, McNees, ENGLE, CONYERS, LUCAS, HOBBICK, Stanley, HARBOR and LAMBERT.

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First Recorded Randolph County Centennial Farm, Botkin.

   

By M. C. Barrett, Winchester Journal-Herald, Feb. 1, 1964.

  The William E. Botkin family, Carlos, route 1 has the distinction of living on the farm that has the earliest recorded date in Randolph County history still in the family name. The farm is also one of the first farms recorded in Westriver township.

  Hugh and Rachel Botkin moved from Tennessee to Randolph county in 1816, settled in Westriver township and entered 80 acres of land September 29, 1817. Theirs was the seventeenth entry in the township. Many of the seventeen entries were squatter's rights.

  At the time of the homesteader's death on this farm, a son, William Miller Botkin, born on the farm in 1823, settled on his father's homestead and started to purchase the farm from the other heirs until he owned all of the acreage. History says "he cleared the farm from unbroken wilderness." William Miller Botkin was married to Martha HIATT. After her death, his second marriage was to Dorcia BUTLER of Virginia. There were three children by this marriage, Martha, Thirza (deceased wife of Dr. C. E. MARTIN, Lynn,) and John William Botkin. Randolph county history continues by saying "his farm is beautifully located, sloping gently to the south and east, well adapted to grazing, as well as the producing of grain, being supplied with an abundance of water."

  John William was born in 1878 on the farm on which his father was born, lived and died.

  Will, as his many friends of the present generation knew him, was married to Mary ENGLE, who now lives in Richmond. He was active in Republican politics, served as county commissioner and was an active member of the Huntsville Methodist church until his death in 1958 on the farm where he was born and lived his entire life, like his grandfather and father. There were six children born to this generation of Botkins on this farm: Mrs. Amanda WANEGAR, Springfield Mass., Mrs Charlotte ZARTMAN, Freeport, Ill., Mrs. Dorothy PURSLEY, Carlos, Mrs. Alice SCOTT, Greenville, Mrs. Mildred DEVANEY, Union City and William E. During Mr. Botkin's lifetime he acquired several more acres of land to add to the original acres which had been in the Botkin family name.

  Today, 146 years later, William Engle Botkin, his wife Idris and daughter Mary Ann are continuing the family tradition by living on this pioneer holding. The William Botkins are also the parents of Mrs. David KENNEDY, Farmland and Jerry William Botkin, Gary. They have four grandchildren.

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Would you like a book to learn more about local history? 

Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

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