CENTERBURG — Harry Hatten celebrates his 100th birthday today, and he’s already had plenty of cake.
When the men’s group at Centerburg Church of Christ met Thursday for its weekly breakfast, a birthday cake was on the menu.
Last Sunday, his church family at Willow Grove Advent Church in Mount Liberty celebrated with a cake.
Today, he’ll celebrate his milestone with his family at Mazza’s Restaurant.
When asked Thursday if he minded talking about what it was like turning 100, Hatten said with a grin, “I don’t mind. I’m a talker.
“I was saved at age 10.”
That quick, upfront statement pretty much explains the last 90 years.
“I told God when I was saved at 10 that I was going to live for him,” Hatten said. “If you’ve got God, you’ve got everything.
“I’ve never wanted for anything,” he continued. “I had polio in my left leg, broke my knee, and broke my shoulder. Other than that, I’m in pretty good shape.
“God has blessed me. I weigh only two or three more pounds than when I graduated.”
From West Virginia to everywhere
Hatten was born on March 15, 1924, in Kenova, West Virginia. He was one of 11 children; the siblings included three sets of twins.
“I was the second boy,” he said. “Then we had a dishwasher (girl), then another set of twins.”
Hatten, whose ancestors changed the spelling of their surname from Hatton to distinguish his lineage from the more nefarious side of the family, graduated high school in 1942.
“The Army wouldn’t take me because I had polio, so I went to Connecticut and worked there nine months,” he said.
“I met a little girl in Kenova, and I told her I was going to marry her. I came back home, and she was out of school, and she was a Christian,” he continued. “So that was not a very long courtship.”
They were married for 54 years; their daughter was born in 1944. Hatten now resides with his daughter in Morrow County.
Hatten left West Virginia and headed to Vermilion, Ohio, living in a trailer. Three years later, he found a lot in Lorain and lived there in a trailer for 27 years.
When he worked in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, he worked on the atomic bomb.
As an ironworker in Cleveland, Hatten built steel mills, bridges, and Chevy plants.
“Anything with steel,” he explained. “Me and two brothers.”
In the 1980s, while he was still employed as an ironworker, Hatten bought 118 acres on Dunham Road in Knox County and farmed for 22 years. He had 13 head of cattle and grew corn, soybeans, and a garden.
Setting a good example
“Harry’s the only person I know in my life that is a centenarian and still going strong,” said Fred Meade.
Meade attends the men’s breakfast at Centerburg Church of Christ. He used to live on Camp Road when Hatten lived on Dunham.
When Hatten fell out of a tree while hunting in 1996, Meade came to his rescue.
When asked what he’s learned from Hatten, Meade said, “To be careful getting in and out of a tree. That has influenced me for the past 27 years.”
On a more serious note, Meade recalled a time when he had trouble with his tractor and couldn’t get his hay baled.
“Harry lent me his tractor and got my hay baled. So I do that for my neighbors,” Meade said.
“You’ve got to treat your neighbor as yourself,” Hatten interjected. “If you can help them, help them. I never had a bad neighbor around me.”
“I think he’s full of God’s grace and he has God’s mercy. And that you’re never too old to sing,” was Mike Forman’s response as to what Hatten taught him.
Hatten said that in 1966, he and Tom Mizer were on top of the Eiffel Tower. Hatten sang his signature song, “Praise the Name of Jesus,” written by his first cousin Leon Osborne.
“When I got through, you could hear them applauding for half a mile,” Hatten said with a grin.
Church of Christ member Ron Roberts said Hatten taught him that “no matter how old you are, don’t lose your enthusiasm for living. You are as young as you think.”
Changes
Hatten lived 23 years in Alabama, running a junkyard and doing lawn services. When he was ready to sell, people told him he’d never get anything out of his place.
God proved them wrong. Hatten “sold to kin” and got a fair price.
Hatten has traveled internationally, citing New Zealand, Germany, France, Romania, and Alaska as some of the places he’s visited.
“Me and my daughter. Her husband wouldn’t go,” he explained. “But there are a lot of places I’d like to go that I didn’t get to go.”
Hatten’s lived in condos, trailer parks, and houses. He’s hunted deer and raccoons, selling the hides and meat.
When asked about the biggest change he’s seen over the years, Hatten replied, “I’ve voted all of my life. … I got to vote for FDR on the third term.
“Other than that, I’ve seen things come and go.”
When asked what hasn’t changed over the years, Hatten replied without hesitation: “God hasn’t changed. He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
“So I sing and teach and pray to God.”
As far as future plans after celebrating his 100th birthday, Hatten said, “If I live five more years, I will be singing for God to anyone who will listen.
“Praise God for another day.”
Happy 100th birthday, Harry, from all of us.
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