SHADRACH HATHAWAY, of Rising Sun. This truly aged and venerable citizen is a native of the State of Massachusetts, born at New Bedford, January 19, 1794. His father was a tanner, and at the age of eleven years, young Shadrach commenced, under his father's guidance, that trade in connection with the making up of the leather into shoes, which occupation he pursued until his twentieth year, spending a portion of the falls and winters in traveling through the State of Georgia, working at his trade and purchasing hides and peltries for his father's tannery. In the summer of 1814, he removed to the West, stopping for some months in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continued his occupation as a shoe-maker. While at this point he made the acquaintance of John James, the proprietor of the then recently laid out village of Rising Sun, and of him bargained for a lot on the corner of Front and Fourth Streets, paying for the same 1100. On the 16th of February, 1815, Mr. Hathaway removed to the new village, being then in his twenty second year, removed a two story log house on his lot, and in it opened a shoe shop, and carried on his business for five years. He next embarked in the business of general merchandising as a partner with Caleb A. Craft, the firm occupying the Craft Building on the upper end of Front Street, which yet stands as a land-mark of bygone days. In this old building was kept the postoffice, and also a hotel or "inn" by Mr. Craft. The partnership of Craft & Hathaway lasted but about one year, when Mr. Hathaway returned to his shoe shop in the old log-cabin and followed his trade for another year; then in connection with Daniel Wicks, a brother-in-law, and their families, they went East by wagons to visit their old home. While in New York City Mr. Hathaway purchased a stock of goods, which was conveyed by wagons to the city of Pittsburgh and from thence by boat to Rising Sun. The goods were placed in his former place of business, on the corner of Fourth and Main Streets, and, in connection with general merchandising, he followed his trade. About 1823 a partnership was formed, consisting of our subject and Mr. A. Moore, their place of business being on Front Street, between Second and Main Streets. Not long subsequent to this Mr. Hathaway again returned to his first love and removed back to the old log house, continuing his old line of business until 1827. This year he erected on that site the large and commodious brick business house and residence, which still stands as a monument to his enterprise and public spirit. In this building for twenty years he carried on quite an extensive general store. In 1849, convinced that the business of the village was moving farther down town, he purchased the Decoursey property on Main Street, and built the large business house now occupied by the store of William Colter; he here removed his stock of goods, greatly increasing the same, and for years did a very successful business, and carried one of the most extensive stock of goods in southeastern Indiana. Owing to the business depression at the close of the war and financial troubles generally, Mr. Hathaway, with many others, had to succumb to the pressure. Since that period he has not engaged in active business, though now can be seen at almost any time seated on his shoe bench, which was made for him by the late Prince Athearn in Cincinnati in 1814. Our subject has been one of Rising Sun's most active, enterprising and public spirited citizens. His name is coupled with all movements that have had for their object the building up of the city, and the best interests of her citizens — giving his aid, through a longer identity to one place than is often recorded, to all steps taken in the direction of progress and development of the county and the improvement of its citizens, morally, religiously and intellectually. He is the last of his time; the associates of his early years have all passed away, and alone he stands venerable and grand, like the old oak of the forest — a fit representative of his time. Though burdended with cares of only eight years less than the seldom attained five score, our venerable friend is cheerful and enjoys good health. He is in the possession of all his faculties to a remarkable degree.
