Ohio Federal Writers' Project

Description

The monument in this photograph is at the grave of Benjamin Hanby. It is located in Otterbein Cemetery in Westerville, Ohio. Hanby (1833-1867) was a famous composer from Westerville who attended Otterbein College and became a minister in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. A music composer, he wrote "Darling Nellie Gray," (1856) which depicted some of the evils of slavery. He also wrote "Up on the Housetop" and "Who is He in Yonder Stall?" The Ohio Historic marker near his grave reads "Song writer and minister of the United Brethren Church, Hanby was a graduate of Otterbein College, class of 1858, known throughout the world for inspiring songs, "Darling Nelly Gray," "Up on the House Top," and "Who is He in Yonder Stall?" Hanby died of tuberculosis at age 33 in 1867.

Record Contributed By

Ohio History Connection

Record Harvested From

Ohio Digital Network