Wain Hazlton
Wain Hazlton, one of Delaware's substantial and representative business men, is the operator of a stone quarry, and for years has been engaged in contracting and in road and street building. He was born in Perry County, Ohio, in 1845, and is a son of William and Anna (Rader) Hazlton. William Hazlton, the father, who was a farmer, removed from Perry County to Delaware County in 1850, settling in Liberty Township. He and his wife Anna were the parents of two sons—David, now a resident of Delaware, and Wain, whose name begins this sketch. Mrs. William Hazlton's father. David Rader, was a pioneer settler in Delaware County.
When Wain Hazlton was eleven years of age Ins father removed from Liberty to Oxford Township, the part in which he settled being little more than a wilderness at that time, and here the boy grew to manhood. When about twenty-eight years old he came to Delaware, finding employment in teaming and lumbering, for four years being engaged in getting out ties for the H. V. Railroad. He then began turnpike contracting, his first work of this kind being the building of four miles of road in Union County, Ohio, then the "Panhandle" road in Delaware County. Later he engaged in street building, his first work in this line being the construction of Eaton Street. Afterwards he built West Lincoln Avenue, the Horseshoe Turnpike, Wesl Griswold Street, the Cheshire Turnpike, and (after grading Pennsylvania Avenue), the old Eaton Turnpike, which was, perhaps, the most extensive piece of work, and then came the west end of the Elm Valley Road. He then built a street in the East End, an extension of Cheshire Road to William Street, then the Berlin Township Road in the East End, then Ross Street; he then graded Columbus Avenue and later Monroe and Oak Hill Avenues, then the west end of the Bowtown Road. His work was now interrupted by trouble with his eyes, and he was obliged to rest for some six years. He then resumed his old work, building the east end of Bowtown Road, North Franklin Street, Elizabeth Street, Katherine Street, the Elm Valley Turnpike, Shannon Street, and Oak Street, and lastly the Jennings Turnpike. All of this work proved very satisfactory and Mr. Hazlton's long experience has made him an expert in this line of construction.
Mr. Hazlton has two and a half acres of land situated in the city, northwest of the H. Y. depot, on which is situated the quarries, which he has owned and operated for about thirteen years. Here during the busy season from forty to 100 men are employed, or an average of about fifty for the season. Mr. Hazlton also owns a fine farm of 117¾ acres in Delaware Township, close to the city. In the latter he has also large real estate interests.
On December 21, 1865, Mr. Hazlton was married to Harriet Frost, a daughter of Elias Frost of Delaware County, Ohio. He and his wife are the parents of six children, all of whom reside in Delaware, namely: William, George, John. Clarence. Effie, and Bessie, the last mentioned of whom married Harry Slack. Mr. Hazlton, his wife, and daughter Effie started on a journey to Florida, January 6, 1908, arriving at St. Petersburg, that State, January 9th. They remained there until February 27th. From there they went to Clear Water, where they remained till March 12, thence going to Jacksonville, March 24. They then continued their journey to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and from there returned to Delaware, March 26th. Mr. Hazlton says of this trip: "This was the most enjoyable journey of my life—many wonderful sights, never to be forgotten. We don't know how beautiful God has made this great world until we have made a tour about it. Then we are led to exclaim: 'How marvelous are thy works, O Lord.' God has made everything beautiful and supplied all our wants through his son Jesus Christ."
Mr. Hazlton is a member of the United Brethren Church at Delaware, and the church edifice was erected by him without one cent of cost to the organization. It stands as an eloquent monument to his philanthropy.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908