Elias Hanes

    Elias Hanes was born in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, July 22, 1840, and while yet a lad came with his parents, Joseph and Margaret (Leslie) Hanes, to Warren County, where he has since resided. He received a common school education, and on attaining his majority began life's battle on his own responsibility.

    January 8, 1861, he married Miss Ella Ridenour, of Liberty Township, and after his event, engaged in farming in the same township. He continued this about nineteen years, then removed to Williamsport, and in partnership with C. H. Porch and B. F. Stattler, erected the Williamsport Flouring Mills and embarked in the general merchant and custom work. Mr. Stattler's interest was purchased shortly after beginning operation by the other two partners, and the firm of Hanes & Porch have ever since prosperously continued. The building is a two story and and a half, not including a stone basement, is 46 x 34 feet, with an additional room attached, in which is a sixty-horse power steam engine. The grinding is executed on what is known as the "gradual reduction system," and they have a capacity of one hundred barrels per twenty-four hours. They produce an excellent quality of flour, and are doing an average annual business of $70,000. Mr. Hanes, the senior partner, is one of the prosperous citizens of Williamsport, is a Democrat, and he and wife are the parents of one daughter -Ladessia.

Source: Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co., 1883.