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Hamlin, Nathaniel (Died 1897)

HAMLIN, POAGE, SMITH, HAWK, CRANE

Posted By: Nancy Hamlin Offield (email)
Date: 11/12/2002 at 19:57:51

OBITUARY: THE FIRST SETTLER GONE

Nathaniel Hamlin, familiarly known as "Uncle Natty" Hamlin, died at his home in Exira township, where he had resided since 1851, from paralysis, on Saturday, April 17, at the advanced age of 84 years.
It is traditional that his great grand-father, whose name he had forgotten, came from England, and settled in New Jersey; where he had four sons, Nathaniel, John, Richard, and James.
The son John Hamlin, was born in Huntington, New Jersey, July 2, 1759; he served through the revolution and afterward removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania, thence down the Ohio river to the salt works near the present town of Vanceburg, in Lewis county, Kentucky. He married a widow lady named Lard (Laird), by whom he had children, William and Ellen.
William Hamlin, son of John and the father of "Uncle Natty," was born in New Jersey, and removed with his father to Kentucky. During the War of 1812 he served in Captain Seward's company, under Col. Richard Johnson, in the command of Gen. Shelby, of Kentucky, and participated in the battle of Thames in Canada, Oct. 5, 1818, where he witnessed the killing of the Indian chief, Tecumseh. Mr. Hamlin related to the writer that he had often heard his father describe his service. When men were called for in Kentucky for service in the War of 1812, William Hamlin and his half-brother James, son of his mother by the former marriage, joined the troops of Gen. Shelby to go up into the Lake Erie country; the father, John Hamlin, who was and old campaigner, said he would go along to take care of the boys.
These troops were mounted. In the battle of the Thames, Col. Johnson led his men to attack the Indian allies and was resisted by Tecumseh and his followers. A personal combat occurred between Col. Johnson and Tecumseh. William Hamlin related that he was present and witnessed the fight and secured the head dress and pipe of Tecumseh.
On this campaign John Hamlin fell sick and his sons conveyed him home on a horse litter. His illness required so much attention of the young men that their personal effects were neglected and the trophies were lost.
William Hamlin married Mary Smith and lived in Lewis county, Ky., where he died November 25th, 1837. His widow came to this county and resided with "Uncle Natty" and died at the great age of over 100 years. Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Glasgow, sisters, and William P. Hamlin, a brother of "Uncle Natty" formerly lived in this county.
After the death of his father the subject of this sketch went to Homer, Illinois, and on April 9, 1840, married Miss Margaret Poage, who survives him. In the fall of the year 1844 they removed to Sand Ridge near Trenton, Henry county, Iowa, and the following spring to the extreme northwest part of Mahaska county, where he bought his first farm of 120 acres.
Early in 1851, with his brother James, and others, they went to seek new homes in the west part of the state; and visited Council Bluffs, and then went up the Missouri river. Not finding a desirable location they turned homeward, and reached what is now called Troublesome creek, a short distance above it's mouth, and followed the stream up to the spot where Mr. Hamlin has since so long resided. This was in the latter part of March. He staked off his claim which was the first act towards the actual settlement of Audubon county. There he resolved to make his future home, and fortune; and to reside the remainder of his life. There was not then a white settler within twenty miles. He hastened to Mahaska county and made preparations for moving. Taking his eldest daughter, Mary, ten years of age, and leaving the family behind; with seven yoke of oxen, wagon and implements for work, started for his claim amongst the wild animals and wilder men. He was accompanied by his brother William and Arthur Decker, without their families. On the way they were joined by John S. Jenkins and his family. On May 6, 1851, the little band of settlers with stout hearts and willing hands, with a bright future before them reaching the claim Mr. Hamlin, and the permanent settlement of Audubon county was accomplished. He at once got to work to build a log cabin near the site of the dwelling where he since lived so many years, and then with the assistance of Mary to drive the team he broke out 42 acres of land, which was planted in sod corn, amongst which were sowed seven acres of buckwheat, and some turnips. Some potatoes were also planted. Then he returned for his family, and on September 13th they arrived at the new home. The season had been favorable and a bountiful crop was secured.
In 1852 the mail route from Fort Des Moines to Council Bluffs with a post office at "Hamlin's Grove," was established thus turning the travel to Pike's Peak and the west to his very door. He was appointed by President Taylor as postmaster and served until 1861. On the organization of the county he was elected the first county treasurer and recorder, both offices being then held by one person, and served until 1864.
He was a prosperous man, and for many years one of the most prominent and influential citizens. His location on the main route of travel across the state, conducted by the Western Stage Co., which continued until the advent of the railroad, with a station at his place, "Hamlin's Grove" naturally gave him an extensive acquaintance outside of the state. From a modest beginning he increased his estate to about 1400 acres of land; besides giving a large amount of land to his children. During his official career he was assisted in business by Hon. D. M. Harris, A. B. Houston and others, and was at one time agent for most of the non-resident owners of lands of the county and conducted a large part of the real estate business.
Before the war, in the hard times when money was not to be had he devised a species of exchange, known as "Hamlin money," being a paper ticket with the denomination written by a pen ornamented with flourishes, the artist being our fellow citizen, Squire Houston of Exira. The name of Hamlin was considered good all over the country for any reasonable amount and the money passed readily. At that period he was interested in every public improvement - the establishment of roads, bridges, school houses, etc.
In addition to public affairs he kept the stage station and conducted farming on an extensive scale for those days, he owned part interest in a saw and grist mill, and it was patronized from many miles distant. His large herds of horses and mules roamed over the land between the Troublesome and Crooked creek were noted for their superiority.
The new settlers found him ready to encourage and assist them. It was characteristic that he could not resist the appeals for aid, with the result that he was required to pay many thousands of dollars of security debts. On one occasion, within a few years, when temporarily unprepared to meet such an obligation, he gave a note to raise the money for a short time, and then remarked that it was the first time since he had lived in this county that he had ever given his note to borrow money for himself, but that he had given it many times to borrow money for others.
For many years he was a trustee of Audubon township and on one occasion when serving as judge of election and incident occurred which was not settled according to methods of modern courts and lawyers. A frail cigar box was used for the ballot box, and when they adjourned for dinner the box was taken along. In carrying, it became loose, so that some of the ballots were lost. When discovered he insisted that the matter should be corrected; so the names on the poll books were canvassed to ascertain who had voted. Party lines at that time were closely observed, and but few votes were scratched. It was decided what the result of the votes cast should have been, and then the ballots remaining in the box were examined to see what kind had been lost; enough ballots of each kind were put into the box to supply those that were lost, and the election was proceeded with no one doubted that substantial justice had been done, although a few grumbled.
In politics Mr. Hamlin was always a strong democrat and faithful to his party allegiance. In all affairs of life he was an honorable, upright man and true to his friends.
To this worthy couple were born twelve children; one died in childhood, and a daughter, Mrs. Jane Calph, died in 1894; the remainder survive: Mary, wife of Isaac Thomas; Hannah, wife of Chas. Hawk; Rosa, wife of B. F. Thomas; Malinda, wife of Wm. Radcliff; Susan, wife of John V. Plantz; Clara, wife of J.M. Allen; and sons, William A., Burton, Douglas, Robert. His descendants number nearly 100 persons.
His funeral was held at his residence on Monday, April 19th, and was largely attended. His remains were buried in the cemetery near his place.

(HERE IS A SECOND OBITUARY FOUND FOR NATHANIEL)

NATTY HAMLIN DEAD

After suffering three weeks from paralysis, Uncle Natty Hamlin died Saturday afternoon, April 17, 1897, aged a little over eighty three years.
The funeral ceremonies were conducted Monday forenoon at the family residence.
Rev. McQuerry of the Exira Christian Church, officiating. A very large gathering of old settlers were present to pay their last respects to the pioneer citizen, now cold in death.
The body was buried in the Bowen cemetery, seventy two carriages loaded with friends following the remains to the last resting place.
The beautiful casket that contained the remains of Uncle Natty was deposited in a steel box which cannot be opened in less than a week and then only by experts.
The following old settlers acted as pallbearers: P. I. Whitted, Thos. Kilworth, A. B. Houston, Richard Gault, Chas. Walker, Samuel Minser.
Uncle Natty was a man of many friends and but for his unbounded generosity and many charitable acts he would have left a fortune close to a million dollars.
At one time his wealth was easily estimated beyond $100,000, but reverses came his way so at his death he leaves an estate valued at close to $50,000, which he leaves to his beloved wife and ten surviving children. He made no will- that is, none has been located at this writing.
We understand that Mr. N. D. Hamlin will be appointed administrator of the estate.


 

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