Richard Gault

GAULT, STEWART, HERRICK, HASH, HAMLIN

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 4/2/2009 at 08:49:40

RICHARD GAULT, a farmer and extensive stockshipper, of Exira Township, was born in the City of Brotherly Love, August 21, 1834. He is the fourth of a family of six children of Francis and Deborah (Stewart) Gault, the father being from the north of Ireland, and the mother a native of Aberdeen, Scotland. The parents of Richard Gault removed from Philadelphia to Wisconsin, and remained there two years.In 1853 they settled in Appanoose County, and in 1854 they moved to Audubon County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Exira; there the father died in 1871, and the mother in 1868. The subject of this notice passed his early boyhood in his native city, receiving the advantages of a city school education. After leaving school he learned the cutlery trade, working at it three and a half years. When his parents removed to Wisconsin he accompanied them, but when they went to Iowa he remained behind until they were entirely settled in the new home. May 1, 1860, Mr. Gault married Mary L. Herrick, the daughter of Alvin and Pauline Herrick, who were early settlers of the county. She was born in the State of Massachusetts. By this union six children were born Henry F., Augusta C., Mildred A., wife of John B. Hash, a merchant of Exira; Charles, Caroline and Anna B., the three latter being at home. Mr. Gault's present home farm, which he secured in 1858, contains 360 acres, near the waters of the Nishnabotna River; here he has erected a good residence, barns and sheds for the protection of cattle and livestock, he also has another good farm in Greeley Township, which is well stocked. Every winter he feeds about two carloads of cattle, and now has 175 head on his two farms. He is a practical farmer, and is well known throughout the county as a large dealer in livestock. He has been politically identified with his county; first, as deputy treasurer under Nathaniel Hamlin; then as county clerk, a position he held four years, from 1858 to 1862, Mr. Gault commenced his career without any capital in gold or silver; but energy and diligence and devotion to one purpose are sometimes a better capital. With these he has succeeded, and today is the owner of a valuable estate.

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 735-736