Henry H. Hart, who is now living a retired life in Casstown, was born in Elizabeth township, Miami county, near the old Sheets mill, December 4, 1835. His parents were Harrison and Catherine Emeline (Titus) Hart, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, born near Trenton. Nothing is known concerning the early history of the Hart family. Samuel Titus, the maternal grandfather, was born December 1, 1761, and wedded Mary Van Kirk, whose birth occurred on the 14th of November, 1779. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and participated in the battle of Trenton, New Jersey. Coming to Ohio at an early period in the history of the state, he here made his home until his death, which occurred about 1840. His widow survived him about twenty-years, passing away in 1860, at the age of eighty years. Their son, Asa Titus, inherited the old homestead, which he sold to Isaac Sheets about 1850, and then returned to New Jersey. He had two sisters, Catherine Emeline and Ruth Ann. The latter married Jacob Drake and died in Elizabeth township when about sixty-six years of age. The former was the mother of our subject. She was born in New Jersey, October 1, 1816, and about 1830 came with her parents to Miami county. She passed away at the age of seventy-one.

Mr. Hart, of this review, was born and reared in Elizabeth township and there resided until twenty-eight years of age. When a youth of ten years he went to live with H. G. Carver, at the old woolen-mill, there remaining until seventeen years of age. He had there an excellent home and was allowed the privilege of attending school through the winter months. Subsequently he learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of Eli Miller, of Lost Creek township, but after a year he began to work on a farm by the month, in Elizabeth township, being employed mostly by Mr. Carver.

On the 1st of January, 1861, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Jane Crane, daughter of James P. and Letitia (Clyne) Crane. The father was a son of Ephraim Crane, and was born in Ohio. He died when his son was about nine years of age, leaving two children: Jacob and Minerva J., the former a resident of Staunton township. Mrs. James P. Crane, is a sister of Isaac Clyne. She came to Casstown during her early girlhood and there remained throughout the rest of her lifetime. Her last days were spent in the home of her daughter, and she died at the age of sixty-four years.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hart resided upon a rented farm for four years, and in 1865 came to Casstown, where he engaged in carpentering with Alec Long, with whom he worked for twenty- five years. During a greater part of his active business career his energies have been devoted to building. In 1889 he purchased a farm in Lost Creek township, four miles northeast of Casstown, where he has one hundred and sixty acres of rich land, a portion of which he rents. He has erected nearly all of the best homes and barns in Lost Creek township, and on all sides stand these monuments to his thrift and enterprise. His life has been an energetic and useful one and his business dealings have ever been characterized by honesty.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hart were born two children, but the younger, William L., died in infancy. The daughter, Mary Olive, is now the wife of Fernando Free, and is living on a farm near her father. Mr. Hart votes with the Democracy on matters of state and national importance, but at local elections casts his vote independently. He is a member of the Cove Springs Christian church and his wife of the Casstown Methodist Episcopal church. In 1872 he became a member of the Odd Fellows society in Casstown Lodge, No. 426, has passed all the chairs and is now identified with the Uniformed Rank. He came to Casstown in 1865 and purchased the home which he yet occupies, and throughout the intervening years he has been regarded as one of the enterprising, progressive, and valued citizens of the community. He is widely known for his sterling worth and his fidelity to principle, and in this volume he well deserves representation.