Alfred Hites. — A man of industry, enterprise and ability, Alfred Hites, of McDonald township, occupies an assured position among the successful agriculturists of the Buckeye state, of whom, mayhap, no other county can boast so large a number in proportion to its population as Hardin. A son of the late George Hites, he was born in this town- ship March 3, 1848, coming from German ancestry. A native of Rockingham county. Virginia. George Hites was born, July 14, 1815. As a young man he migrated to the western frontier, locating in Carroll county, where he lived until after his marriage. In 1839 he bought sixty-two and one-half acres of wild land in McDonald township. Hardin county, and having by dint of sturdy pioneer labor cleared a large part of it he subsequently bought another timbered tract of equal area, and continued his agricultural work. On the homestead which he redeemed from the wilderness he spenl the re- mainder of his life, passing away May 15. 1898. He married, in Carroll county. Ohio, Elizabeth Hatfield, who was born March 15, 1815, and died November 10, 1896. To them six children were born, namely: William, of Kenton, married Caroline Spencer, and of the seven children born of their union four died in infancy. Adam died at the age of three months, and the other two, Anna and Arthur Banning, are resi- dents of Hardin county; Mary Ann. born June 9, 1840, died in 1842; Marianna, born September 30, 1849. died in the same year: Alfred, the special subject, of this sketch; Nancy Jane, who was bom June 4. 1852, and died March 2. 1874. married P. Sumner, of Roundhead, and had one child, now deceased; and George Westley, born July 20, 1857, died August 14. 1857. Educated in the district schools. Alfred Hites was early initiated into the mysteries of farming, and finding thai occupation congenial to his tastes as well as profitable he lias since devoted his attention to the pursuit of agriculture. He now owns forty-eight and one-half acres of the land belonging formerly to the parental homestead, and in its care and management has met with most satisfactory results. Politically a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Mr. Hites has never shirked the responsibilties of public office, but has served as township supervisor and as a school director. Religiously he is a valued member of the Baptist church. On December 2, 1875. Mr. Hites was united in marriage with Alice Willard. who was born. May 24. 1858. in Mercer county. Missouri, a daughter of the late Joseph Willard. Mr. Willard was twice married, by his first wife having three children, namely: John Henry, who served in the Civil war. and was killed in battle; Martha Jane; and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Willard married for his second wife Elizabeth Hudnut. and of the children born of their union six grew to mature life, as follows: William; James; Emeline ; Joseph Fremont, deceased; Alice, wife of Mr. Hites ; and Jennie. William Willard. a resident of Holmes county. Ohio, married first Mary Berry, who died in early womanhood, leaving one child. Jennie, of Cleveland. William married for his second wife Minnie MacLean, and they have had the following children: Dalmar; Jennie, deceased; Harry; and Fannie. James Willard, who lives in Iowa, married Rachel McGinnis, and to them five children have been born, Thomas; Clara Belle; Effie; Robert; and a child that died in infancy. Emeline Willard. of Wayne county, widow of the late John Saunders, bore him six children, Frank, deceased; Thomas, a resident of Wayne county ; Idell, deceased ; Jennie, wife of Harvey Burnett, has two children ; Hazel, wife of Harry Cliff, has one child ; and Maggie residing with her mother. Jennie Willard, Mrs. Hites' youngest sister, married John Shearer, of Holmes county, and they became the parents of the following named children: Blanche Shearer, married Edward Hostetter. and has three children, John, Frank, and Arthur; John F. Shearer, living at home; Edna Shearer married John Stink, of Pitts- burg, and has four children; Charles Shearer, single, resides with his parents ; Harry Shearer, also living at home ; Walter, living at home ; and Rachel Shearer, deceased. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hites, namely : a child that died in infancy; Rosette; Erma Virginia; Bertha; Homer Emerson; Leslie Harrison, living with his parents; and Blanche, living at home. Rosette Hites. the oldest daughter, married Charles Hanna- krat, of Logan county, Ohio, and into their home five children have been born, namely: Grace Reed, living with her grandparents; Myrl; Daisy Verona; Alice Odessa, deceased; and Ethel Virginia. Erma Virginia Hites married George MacFarland. of Kenton. Ohio. Bertha Hites, who married Virgil Simpson, died in January, 1906, leaving two chil- dren, Gladys Simpson, deceased; and Paul Simpson. Homer Emerson Hites married Clementine Coolidge and they have two children, Opal Idelle and Arol May.

from History of Hardin County pg. 828