BIO: Christopher C. HAZEN, Beaver County, PA
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BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches
of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Buffalo, N.Y.,
Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 39-42.
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CHRISTOPHER C. HAZEN, the popular secretary for S. Barnes & Co. (Limited),
manufacturers of all kinds of fire brick, of Rochester, Pa., is a resident of
New Brighton, Pa., and besides following the occupations of teaching, farming,
and stock-raising, for, perhaps, a quarter of a century, he has occupied
important positions of trust in Beaver county-such as county auditor and
county treasurer. Our subject boasts of English origin, and can trace his
ancestors back for two hundred and fifty years; he is a descendant of Edward
Hassen, which was the original family name.
Edward Hassen was born in England, September 18, 1649, and with his wife,
Elizabeth, came to America, settling at Rowley, Massachusetts. There he
served as selectman, overseer, and as judge of delinquents; he owned a large
quantity of real estate, including seven gates, or cattle rights, which was
considered an extensive ownership. His estate at death was valued at 404 7s.
8d. He was twice married. Little is known of his first wife, Elizabeth. His
second wife was Hannah Grant, a daughter of Thomas and Hugh Grant. Edward
Hassen died at. Rowley, Mass., in 1663, leaving the following children:
Elizabeth; Hannah; John; Thomas; Edward; Isabella; Priscilla; Edna; Richard;
Hepzibah; and Sarah.
Thomas Hassen, from whom the subject of this sketch is descended, was born
February 29, 1657 or 1658, and died at Norwich, Conn., April 12, 1735. He was
a farmer by occupation, and settled upon what was known as the Westfarms, and
with his sons was among the petitioners for its incorporation as a parish, in
1716. This tract is now known as Franklin. Thomas was united in marriage,
January 1, 1682, with Mary Howlet, a daughter of Thomas Howlet. Their
children were as follows: John; Hannah; Alice; Edna; Thomas; Jacob; Mary;
Lydia; Hepzibah; Ruth; and Jeremiah.
John Hazen was born March 23, 1683, and was twice married. His first wife
was Mercy Bradstreet, daughter of John and Sarah (Perkins) Bradstreet. Mrs
Hazen laid down the burden of life in 1725. John Hazen chose for his second
wife, Elizabeth Dart. He reared the following offspring: John; Samuel; Simon;
Margaret; Caleb; Sarah; Daniel; Elizabeth; Mary; Hannah, the first, and
Hannah, the second.
John Hazen, Jr., was born February 21, 1711 or 1712. He was joined in
matrimony with Deborah Peck, of Lyme, Connecticut, who bore him nine
children, namely: Mary; John; Mary, second; Deborah; Nathaniel; Eunice;
Joseph; Lydia; and Samuel.
Nathaniel Hazen was born March 17, 1745,
40 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
and was joined in marriage with Mary Bell. History says that Nathaniel was
first located in the state of New Jersey, from which he removed to Washington
county, Pa., and shortly afterward went to North Sewickley, now Franklin,
township, Beaver county, and settled upon a tract of land where S. M. Hazen
now resides. A patent for this land, issued from the Government to the eldest
son of Nathaniel Hazen, bears date 1790. Nathaniel possessed considerable
means, owning two hundred acres of land, and becoming a man of prominence in
his day. Having very fertile land, he made a specialty of raising timothy
seed, which he carried over the mountains on horseback, and exchanged for
salt and merchandise. He conducted a small store, and was the proud owner of
the first buggy ever seen in these parts. The house occupied by him as a
residence was built of logs, as was the barn-the former containing only one
door and one window. Nathaniel Hazen set out an orchard, a portion of which
is yet bearing. Among the children reared by him and his excellent wife were
the following: Samuel; Nathan; and James. They also reared others, whose
names are not remembered.
Samuel Hazen, grandfather of the subject hereof, was born at Peter's Creek,
Washington county (now Allegheny county) Pa., August 27, 1791. He wedded Eliza
McDaniel, a daughter of Jethro McDaniel. "Grand-ma" Hazen was born in 1798,
and passed away at the age of forty-nine years. Samuel Hazen began his career
by working on his father's farm. He subsequently built a woolen mill at
Wurtemberg, and carried on the manufacture of woolen goods in connection with
farming. So successfully did he manage this enterprise that before his death
he became the owner of several farms. He assisted in organizing the Baptist
society, of which he was a member. His homestead farm was early known as the
"Leverance Farm." His death occurred September 7, 1855, having been
previously deprived of his beloved companion, in 1847. Their most happy union
was blessed with the following children: Nathaniel; Mary Ann, wife of H. K.
Alter; Rebecca, wife of A. Cavin; Hannah, wife of J. C. Thompson; Margaret,
wife of John Thomas; Nathan, father of the subject hereof; Samuel, who died
at the age of twenty-two years; and Smith M., who married Mary A. Ney. After
the death of his first wife, Samuel Hazen contracted a second matrimonial
alliance, in this instance with Elizabeth Ann Thompson, who bore him one
daughter, Ruth, and who died September 7, 1855, the same day upon which her
husband died.
Nathan Hazen, father of Christopher C., was born in North Sewickley, now
Franklin, township, December 15, 1829. He won for his wife, Mary Judith
Zeigler, a daughter of Abraham Zeigler. Mrs Hazen still survives her husband,
whose death occurred July 29, 1898, at the age of sixty-eight years.
Christopher C.'s father purchased a farm, that upon which Thomas J. Powell
now resides, which he afterwards sold, and purchased another in North
Sewickley township. This
BEAVER COUNTY 41
latter farm was only partially improved, and is still a portion of the
estate. Upon this farm the elder Mr. Hazen replaced the old log house and
barns with convenient and substantial buildings, in 1851, and six years later
he built a handsome, large house. After clearing the land, he was occupied in
farming until about 1875, when he purchased the Dr. Withrow property, in
North Sewickley township. He then practically retired from active labor, with
the exception of keeping a store and officiating as postmaster. He also served
as supervisor and as auditor. He was a very active, energetic man,
accumulating a fine property, and upon his death left a large estate for
distribution among his children, who are as follows: Christopher C., the
subject hereof; Elizabeth Eliza, who became the wife of Stewart Thompson, and
is now deceased; Mary, wife of Dr. W. O. Morrison, of Struthers, Ohio; Maggie
H., wife of Dr. C. H. Knoblett, of Ohio; Ida, wife of Hon. J. Sharp Wilson,
of Beaver; and F. Lily, who is devoting her life to her aged mother.
Christopher C. Hazen was born in North Sewickley township, Beaver county,
Pa., December 20, 1851. After attending public school he took a course at
North Sewickley Academy. He graduated from Lewisburg University, now known as
Bucknell College, in 1874. He assisted in working his way through college by
teaching a part of the time, which profession occupied his attention before
and after his graduation. After his marriage, the subject of this record
conducted his father's farm for some time, making a specialty of
stock-raising, breeding some very fine horses, and keeping a choice dairy.
Mr. Hazen began his public life in 1885, when he was elected county auditor
of Beaver county, serving six years. In 1891, he was elected county treasurer
of the same county, serving in that capacity for three years. In 1897, Mr,
Hazen became a stockholder in, and secretary for, the S. Barnes Manufacturing
Company, which responsible and lucrative position he still retains and seems
especially fitted for.
Mr. Hazen engaged in farming for a period of twenty-one years,
discontinuing it in 1896, when he purchased a fine residence in New Brighton.
This residence was known as the Judge Andrew Duff place, having been built by
that gentleman. It is a fine, modern house, surrounded by beautiful, spacious
lawns, and is picturesquely situated on the heights overlooking the business
portion of the city. Our subject was joined in wedlock with Laura H. De
Frain. Mrs. Hazen is a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Boon) De Frain, and
formerly resided in Lewisburg, Union county, Pennsylvania, being a graduate
of a young ladies' grammar school of that place. Mr. and Mrs Hazen are
rearing a large and exceedingly interesting family, of whom they are very
proud. Their children's names are as follows: Edith Irene, born November 13,
1875, who served as assistant to her father while he filled the office of
county treasurer; Mabel Edna, born March 12, 1877; Edna Blanche, born June 6,
1879; Clara Floy, born June 7, 1881; Amy Anna, born July 10, 1883;
42 BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
Harry Wilford, born October 19, 1885; Frank Harrison, born November 23, 1887;
Nathan De Frain, born December 5, 1889; Harold Herbert, born October 20, 1872,
and whose little life flickered out on July 21, 1873; and Thomas Ross Hennon,
born June 18, 1898.
Christopher C. Hazen and his family are active members of the Baptist
church, of which denomination Mr. Hazen has served as deacon. Socially, our
subject is a member of St. James Lodge, No. 457, F. & A. M., is past
chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, and attended the Grand Lodge sessions
for two years; he is also a member of the Junior Order of United American
Mechanics. Mr. Hazen is a most pleasant and agreeable gentleman, numbering
his friends by the score, and it is with pleasure that we are able to
announce that his portrait accompanies the fore-going outline of his life.