Westerville in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hanby House
One of Multiple Markers
While many American families defended slavery in the early nineteenth century, Benjamin Hanby’s family did not. Benjamin Hanby was born in July 1833 in Rushville, Ohio to Bishop William Hanby and Ann Miller Hanby. Ben’s father grew up in poverty in Pennsylvania. At age nine, he was bound over to a Quaker family to learn farming; at 16, he was bound over to a cruel master to learn saddle making. In 1828, William escaped with the help of a Virginia congressman’s family who sheltered him, and a ferry boatman who provided him passage across the Ohio River. In Perry County, just west of Somerset, William formed a harness making partnership with Samuel Miller, his future father-in-law, while studying to improve his literacy. In 1831, Hanby became a circuit preacher in the United Brethren Church, and later, during the 1845 General Conference, the 15th bishop of that church. Bishp Hanby participated in the Underground Railroad in Rushville, Circleville, and Westerville. He was a temperance crusader. He also served as one of the founding trustees of Otterbein University. William Hanby died in Westerville in May 1880, and is buried in Otterbein Cemetery.
As a child, Benjamin Hanby sang in the church choir and delivered the Religious Telescope, which was edited by his father. At the age of 16, Benjamin moved to Westerville to attend
Otterbein University. While a student, young Hanby taught Infant School, a combination of preschool, kindergarten, and primary school up to the fifth grade. Hanby delighted in using music and singing in is lessons because he believed that school days should be joyous. He was known to have a great sense of humor.Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Charity & Public Work • Churches & Religion.
Location. 40° 7.585′ N, 82° 56.256′ W. Marker is in Westerville, Ohio, in Franklin County. Marker is on Center Street near West Main Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in the backyard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 160 West Main, Westerville OH 43081, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Darling Nelly Gray (here, next to this marker); William Hanby, Freedom Crusader (a few steps from this marker); Old Westerville Society (within shouting distance of this marker); The Home of Benjamin R. Hanby (within shouting distance of this marker); Otterbein College (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); In Memory of Benjamin R. Hanby (approx. 0.2 miles away); Temperance Row Historic District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Heritage Green Park (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Westerville.
Additional keywords. Underground Railroad
Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2017, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.