Where did Benjamin R Hanby live?

Answer 1

Benjamin was born July 22, 1833 in Rushville, Ohio. Ben published his first song, Darling Nelly Gray in 1856. He was in the second graduating class of Otterbein College in 1858. He married Mary Katherine "Kate" Winter on June 24, 1858. After graduation, he worked as an agent for Otterbein College. In January 1859, he was granted a license to preach for the United Brethren Church. In 1860, he became principal of Seven Mile Academy in Hamilton, Ohio. His first pastorate was in Lewisburg in 1862. Due to his controversial views about slavery, music in church, and worship for children, his time there was not peaceful. The year 1863 saw Ben and his family living in New Paris, Ohio while he preached at churches in Preble and Darke counties. By Christmas 1864, Ben was no longer working as a pastor, but operating a singing school in New Paris. Here he wrote his Christmas song, Santa Claus (now known as Up on the Housetop). He moved his family to Chicago to work for George F. Root music publishing company. He died of tuberculosis in Chicago on March 18, 1867. His body was returned to Westerville for burial in the family plot. Go to the official web site for the Hanby House in Westerville Ohio at www.hanbyhouse.org