Hiram C. Warden, Licking County, Ohio, 1819-1901

Newark, Ohio, 1899-1901

UNIQUE BANQUET

One Hundred Oldest Men in County

Assist Mr. Hiram C. Warden to Celebrate the Eightieth Anniversary of His Birth.

Saturday, May 27, was the eightieth anniversary of the birth of Mr. Hiram Warden one of Licking county's oldest, best known and most highly respected citizens, and father of Captain F. G. Warden, proprietor of the Hotel Warden. The Captain decided that the event was one which called for more than passing notice, and determined that it should be celebrated in a proper manner. In accordance with this decision over one hundred of the old time residents of the county, whose ages averaged 65 years, were invited, and there were no regrets. Elaborate preparations were made for the event, Mr. Warden being made to believe that all the extra hustling was on account of a banquet that was being prepared for the local lodge of Elks. It was a gathering of old and representative men of the county, such as seldom comes together, and to say that Maj. Warden was surprised when he was greeted by these long time friends, would be putting it mildly. A sumptuous supper was partaken of by the guests, which was followed by a program of speech-making. The toastmaster was Hon. J. W. Owens, and toasts were responded to by Dr. Vail, Charles Montgomery, Abraham Flory, Capt. W. C. Lyon, J. H. Newton, Howard W. Howe, Hon. C. B. Giffin and Hon. Wm. Bell, Jr. Mr. Daniel Thomas offered a pleasant diversion to the program by suggesting that Queen Victoria had been honored by the poet laureate of England by a poem for her eightieth birthday, and as the age of Mr. Warden differed by three days from that of the Queen, he too, should have a similar honor. He read a poem which he had written and which was as follows:

Is it true, or are you joking?
Is it four-score years today
That you were born near Granvilletown
On the twenty-seventh of May?
Is it true that you have traveled
Full eighty years of life,
And look so hale and hearty,
Without any marks of strife?
Your steps so firm and elastic,
Your eyes so bright, and so keen
Your hearing; so quick and active
As a youth about eighteen.
Your mind also clear and active,
With vim and vigor and might
You're able to transact all business
As "sharp" as ever tonight.
May the God of Grace and Mercy
Preserve my friend Warden and wife
For many years, until ready
To enter eternal life.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, OH, May 29, 1899, page 5.

Note: It looks like the headline has his middle initial as "G," and it should be "C," which change I made.


SICK LIST (1900-1901)

Mr. Hiram Warden, who has been confined to his room in the Warden [hotel] for some time past on account of a dislocated hip, is rapidly improving and will be able to be out in a few days.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Sept. 25, 1900, page 3.


Hand Badly Hurt.

Mr. Moses Goodrich, of Granville, who is attending the session of the grand jury, met with a painful accident at the Hotel Warden Monday.

He had called at the hotel to see his friend, Mr. Hiram Warden, and in getting into the elevator had his hand caught and badly lacerated.

Dr. D. M. Smith dressed the injured member, several stitches being necessary.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Sept. 25, 1900, page 1.



Mr. Hiram Warden is lying seriously ill at the Hotel Warden. Mr. Warden was somewhat improved in the past few days, but last night there was a change for the worse.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Jan 5, 1901, page 7.



Mr. Hiram Warden passed a very bad night Monday, and is in no wise improved today.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Jan. 8, 1901, page 8.



The condition of Hiram Warden remains unchanged today.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Jan. 15, 1901, page 8.



The condition, of Mr. Hiram Warden is about the same. If anything he is worse today.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Jan. 24, 1901, page 8.



HIRAM CARY WARDEN

Venerable Father of Capt. Frank G. Warden and One of the Country's Best Known and Wealthiest Citizens Passes to His Eternal Rest — Sketch of His Life.

Mr. Hiram C. Warden, one of Newark's oldest, most highly respected and wealthiest citizens passed peacefully away at his apartments in the Hotel Warden at 11:15 o'clock Tuesday night, after an illness of acute bronchitis following an attack of grip.

Although this was the proximate cause of death, a fall sustained on August 14 last, when Mr. Warden suffered a broken hip, and his age had much to do with his demise.

Mr. Warden on several occasions since the fall has been down stairs, but his recovery never seemed to be complete.

Since the first day of January he has been bedfast and for twenty-nine days made a heroic battle against death, but was forced finally to surrender to the last of foes.

The funeral will take place from the hotel Friday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev F. B. Nash of Trinity Episcopal church, and Rev Bunyon Spencer of the Alexandria Baptist church conducting the services. Interment in Cedar Hill cemetery.

Hiram C. Warden's grandfather, Jonas Warden, enlisted in the defense of the Colonies during the War for Independence, and held the rank of Captain until the close of the Revolution. A son of the latter, and father of our subject, Gabriel, was one of those who responded to his country's call at the time of the second war with England in which he served as Captain with gallantry and courage. He was a native of Burlington, Vt., born Feb. 16, 1777, and in the place of his birth was united in marriage with Miss Mary P. Seeley, a native of Massachusetts. After the birth of three children they removed, in 1814, from Burlington, Vt., to Licking county, Ohio, settling on a farm in Granville township, one mile north of the village of that name. There they remained until called from earth, the father dying February 2, 1838, and the mother February 5, 1862.

On this farm Hiram C. was born on the 27th of May, 1819. His age was therefore 81 years, 8 months and 2 days.

In the parental family there were thirteen children, one of whom died in infancy, and twelve attained to years of maturity and became heads of families. Hiram C. grew to manhood on the old homestead, reared to farm life. His preliminary education was acquired in the old subscription school, and supplemented by two years attendance at Granville College. After the death of his father he served an apprenticeship at the chairmaker's trade in Granville, being thus employed for two years. Later he worked as journeyman at this business.

Believing that agriculture offered better opportunities than his trade, Mr. Warden began farming in 1846, and the first year operated a rented place. In 1847 he purchased seventy-five acres lying in Harrison township, Licking county, and during the ensuing two years cleared about ten acres of this tract. During the winter season he taught singing school in order to gain the means of subsistence for himself and family, and assist in making improvements on the land. At the expiration of the two years he sold the farm, having cleared $1,000 in this speculation. For a few years following he bought and sold a number of farms, frequently changing his location and with each change materially improving his financial condition.

Until 1873 Mr. Warden continued actively engaged in farming and during his residence in Newark has been more or less engaged in agricultural pursuits. In his farming pursuits he was successful through untiring industry and good management, coupled with the assistance of his wife in the accumulation of a handsome competency. In 1881 he bought the hotel in Newark which bears his name. This he greatly enlarged and at the present time it has more than one hundred rooms.

On November 20, 1842, at the Baptist church in Granville he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A., daughter of John and Mary Hartman Lond, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, where their daughter was born January 19, 1826. She is of German descent and came to Granville with her parents when only five years of age.

To Mr. and Mrs. Warden have been born four children, of whom are living Charles C., of Granville township, and Frank G., proprietor of the Hotel Warden, this city. Mr. and Mrs. Warden have travelled life's journey together nearly sixty years. Both became members of the Baptist church before they were married and have ever been true to the faith.

In early life Mr. Warden was a Whig, his first presidential vote being cast for Gen. W. H. Harrison in 1840. Since the organization of the Republican party he has supported that organization.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Newark, Ohio, January 30, 1901, page 8.

Note: The article says he began farming in 1836, which has to be wrong going by other details in the article. And Charles' name was spelled "Chales." I changed these. As for Charles' middle initial: this article says "C" and the last will says "H." I just left each as found. My guess, "H," probably standing for Hiram. And wills are usually more exact.



MR. WARDEN'S FUNERAL.

The funeral of the late Hiram C. Warden took place from the hotel at 2 o'clock this afternoon.

The Episcopal burial service was read by Rev. F. B. Nash. Rev. Bunyon Spencer of Alexandria, delivered a eulogy, in which the virtues of the deceased, his strict attention to business at hand, and his sterling integrity were pointed out as an example for the younger generation.

—Newark Daily Advocate, Feb. 1, 1901, page 8.


THE COURTS.

THE PROVISIONS OF HIRAM WARDEN'S WILL.

Following are the bequests made by the late Hiram C. Warden, in his last will and testament:

My will is that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid out of my estate as soon as after my decease as shall be found convenient.

I give and bequeath the farm on which I resided and have been living at different times, to Charles H. Warden, during his natural life, and at his death to his children, equally.

I give and bequeath to my wife, Mary A. Warden, during her natural life, the store room on the South Side of the Square in Newark, and at her death I give, devise and bequeath said realty to my son Charles H. Warden, during his natural life and at his death, to his children, equally.

I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary A. Warden, the property on the North Side of the Square to her and her heirs forever, absolutely.

I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary A. Warden, during her natural life, all the balance of my property, both real and personal, of which I may die seized.

I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary A. Warden, all the income from my property and estate absolutely to use and do with as she may think best, reposing full confidence in her excellent judgment.

We have labored together industriously for fifty-eight years to accumulate and gather together this estate, and now that we are near to the end of this life it is our wish and prayer that our children, their good wives and children, may have and cultivate habits of industry, honesty, fidelity and love towards one another and inculcate as far as may be, Christian faith and charity.

I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife, Mary A. Warden, executrix of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand to this, my last will and testament, this 28th day of July. A. D. 1900.

H. C. WARDEN.

—Newark Daily Advocate, March 8, 1901, page 5.


QUARTER CENTURY AGO

(From Advocate, Oct. 18, 1886.)
Mr. Hiram Warden, who left for California this morning, met with a misfortune before he left. Someone stole his overcoat from the hack in which he had been driven to the station.

—Newark Advocate, Oct. 18, 1911, page 6.