My Genealogy Hound

Joel W. Hiatt, one of the most highly respected citizens of New Harmony, is a native of Indiana, and has been a resident of Posey county for nearly forty years. Joel Hiatt was born June 10, 1850, in Hamilton county, Indiana. His parents were Harmon and Mary (Harris) Hiatt, both natives of North Carolina, and early settlers in Randolph county, Indiana. They later removed to Hamilton county. The father was a physician and practiced his profession many years in the State. The Hiatts came from Quaker stock, and the maternal side of our subject’s ancestors were Virginians of English descent. Both parents are now deceased, and their mortal remains rest in the cemetery at Crawfordsville, Ind. Joel Hiatt’s early life was mostly spent in Crawfordsville, where he attended the public schools and later entered Wabash College, where he graduated in the class of 1873, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1888 the college conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. After graduating from Wabash College, Mr. Hiatt entered Harvard University as a Divinity student, pursuing the study of philosophy for a time, but upon due reflection decided that an ecclesiastical function in life was not to his liking. He then abandoned that course and turned to teaching and accepted the position of principal of the Mt. Vernon High School, a position which he held two years. In 1876 he came to New Harmony as superintendent of schools there, a position which he filled with entire satisfaction two years. In 1885 he was appointed document clerk of the House of Representative, Washington, D. C. He served in this capacity until 1895, except an interval of two years. Mr. Hiatt was united in marriage in 1878 to Francis Owen Fitten, an estimable lady of culture and refinement. She is a daughter of William Owen. Politically, Mr. Hiatt has never wavered in his allegiance to the Democratic party. He is a man of deep convictions, and a lover of justice and fair play. He has ever been a student of men and affairs, as well as of books, and is a profound scholar. His duties while at Washington, D. C., brought him into close and intimate relation with many of the leading men of the Nation, whose acquaintance in many instances ripened into lasting friendships, which have afforded him much pleasure. He is an ardent supporter of every institution which tends for the uplifting of humanity and the betterment of his fellow men. Mr. Hiatt is a member of the Working Man’s Institute, and has taken an active interest in its welfare. A few years ago he led and won in the movement for cataloguing the books of that institution by the card index system. He also secured the services of a public accountant and devised a system which was introduced. He is a member of the park commission, and for eight years has been superintendent of the parks of New Harmony. Mr. Hiatt is a great lover of nature and his work in connection with the parks is an agreeable task, and the beauty and well kept appearance of the city parks certainly bear mute testimony of the magic touch of a master hand. The writer of this sketch has known Mr. Hiatt intimately and well can testify to his many manly excellencies.