Henry Clay O'Hara

Henry Clay O'Hara was born February 14, 1841 in Evansville, Indiana and died May 7, 1939, at Partridge, Kansas, aged 88 years 2 months, and 18 days. His parents were John and Elizabeth O'Hara. His mother was left a widow with three small children and four little brothers and sisters to care for. So his guardian took Henry at the age of 8 1/2 years to Mr. and Mrs. Hammond at Warsaw, Illinois, where he lived until he enlisted for service in the civil war. He was converted at age of 18. He was enrolled August 20, 1861, in Co. E 7th Missouri Cavalry, was corporal and served as commissary sergeant. He was discharged from service February 23, 1863, by reason of gunshot wound at the battle of Lone Jack, August 16, 1862. He was also in the battle Prairie Grove, Arkansas. He was married February 24, 1864, to Darilla L. Dilley. To this union 10 children were born, four of whom preceded their father in death. His wife died November 16, 1908. He was married to Mary B. Chapman November 25, 1909, who with his six children, Alvah of the Soldiers' Home, Leavenworth, Hugh of Nickerson, Pitt of Partridge, Alice Hemphill of Fort Collins, Colorado, Ina Lusk of Hutchinson and Veazie of Brooklyn, New York, survive him. He also leaves 18 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He and his family settled on the old homestead now occupied by his son, Henry Pitt O'Hara, in 1873. He was a charter member of the Congregational Church and was connected with all the progressive development of the new community of Reno Center. Soon after the town of Partridge was started he practically left all his farming interest to others and engaged in business of various kinds in the new town. When the new community church was organized he was very much interested in it. When they voted to build the church he rejoiced to give the site for the new building and said "I do wish I could live to see it finished, but don't suppose I can" However, he did live to lay his hand on the cornerstone and to attend the dedication services and was a regular attendant as long as his health permitted. He is now "At Rest" after years of patient, courageous endurance of blindness and the gradual loss of all his faculties. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Henry Clay O'Hara son of John Joseph O'Hara and Elizabeth Ellen Sullivan married 24 February 1864 to Durilla Loretta Dilley daughter of Rev. Samuel Dilley and Belinda Axtell. Henry and Durilla had 10 children: Levi Alvah, Hugh Samuel, Henry Pitt, Asaph Hammond, Alice Elizabeth, Ina Belinda, Elsie Loretta, Seth Payson, Don Asa, and Veazie Winthrop O'Hara all.

Henry Clay married secondly on November 25, 1909, to Mary Bertha Chapman.

From "Partridge Pioneers History of Early Partridge" compiled by Annabel White, 1968

HENRY C. O'HARA September 20, 1873, Henry O'Hara arrived in Reno County and located a homestead claim in the N.W. 1/4. S 24 Twp 26 Range 7. He built a dugout in which he lived for two years, then built a frame house. He broke sod, and in the spring of 1874 planted thirty acres of corn, which the grasshoppers destroyed. That fall he planted sixty acres of wheat and the grasshoppers ate the seed wheat in the ground. He lived here for seven years; and in the meantime, purchased the S 1/2, S 16, Twp. 24, R 7. He moved in the spring of 1880, building a good house of seven rooms. The railroad came through, so he sold 120 acres of his land for the town-site of Partridge; then he engaged in the real estate and insur­ance business. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. O'Hara. He con­tributed much to the progress and up-building of Partridge. He was one of the organizers and he and his wife were charter members of the Congreg­ational Church in 1873. He helped build the first elevator and creamery.

Note: The above says South 1/2 section of section 16, but the town of Partridge is located in the Northeast quarter of section 16?

MISC.: Plotted, city of Partridge , KS

OCCUPATION: Homesteader, Farmer

Homesteaded, in Center Township, Reno County, Kansas, Northwest quarter of 26-24-7.