Thomas J. Hurt

HURT, MORGAN, BAKER

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/21/2010 at 06:35:13

Thomas J. Hurt, who is contributing largely toward the financial worth of Dickens, Freeman township, Iowa, was born in Bedford county, near Bedford City, Virginia, on June 18, 1875, a son of John F. and Margaret E. (Morgan) Hurt, natives of that state and parents of the following children: Lizzie, wife of G. D. Harmon, of Midway, Tennessee; Sallie, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Jacobs: Bertie, deceased, who wedded Robert Kirk: John P., of Fresno Flats, California: Flora, who was united in marriage with Ira A. Bowles, of Mosheim, Tennessee: Oscar, of this place: Virginia, who wedded Jacob R. Bowles of Midway, Tennessee: and Thomas J., our subject. The elder Mr. Hurt was a merchant in Davis Mills, Virginia, and from there he removed to Tennessee and went into the business of tobacco raising at Little Chucky, where he died in 1888 at the age of fifty-two years. His wife survived him eighteen months and departed this life when forty-five years old. He was a Confederate soldier under General Robert E. Lee, engaging in active service for two years, during which time he was commissioned as a captain of a company. Toward the end of hostilities he was taken prisoner in Virginia and was held for six months, being released at the close of the war. The paternal and maternal grandfathers were also natives of Virginia.

When his parents removed to Tennessee Thomas J. Hurt was an infant, and he was consequently reared there, acquiring his education in the common schools. He left that state in 1893, repairing to Nebraska, where he went to work on a farm in Gage county, and followed agricultural pursuits for two years, at the expiration of which time he formed a partnership with M. Van Moyer and went into the harness business. In the year 1900 he came to Dickens and established himself in the business which he has since been successfully following.

In 1904 he wedded Miss Hepsie Baker, a native of Clay county, and a daughter of Nathaniel and Rosa E. (O’Grady) Baker, and they have one daughter, Bertha E. Mr. and Mrs. Hurt are faithful in the fulfillment of their religious obligations, being members of the Congregational church in which they are active workers. Mr. Hurt is numbered among the up to date men of the community and through his industry and perseverance has acquired a high standing in commercial circles.

NOTE: Hepisa and Thomas also had a son, Thomas Yale Hurt, born March 21, 1913, died on January 17, 1980 in California. Noted by Tary Alpizar, granddaughter of Thomas and Hepisa and daughter of Thomas Yale.

Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 527.