HAMLETT, Freeling H. 1866-c1941

HAMLETT, GILES, MULLENIX, BALDRIDGE, KENNEALLY, MIERSEN, BURGIN

Posted By: Monica
Date: 5/11/2012 at 11:33:44

I am not related and have no further information, this is taken from an old scrapbook that belonged to Mrs. Clara (Jones) McCartney

Freeling Hamlett Killed By a Bull; Rites Wednesday
Freeling H. Hamlett, 76, well known Cass Township farmer, was gored to death by a bull at his farm three miles northeast of Strawberry Point shortly after noon Sunday. He was dead when found by Paul Kleinlein and Buck Forsythe, neighbors.

Mr. and Mrs. Hamlett were at the farm alone and just before dinner, Mr. Hamlett said he was going out and get the cattle in. When Mr. Hamlett did not return to the house, his wife looked for him around the barn and yard but did not find him.

Alarmed at his absence, she asked the neighbors to make a search. The men found Mr. Hamlett lying on the ground, the bull still standing over him. Forsythe shot at the bull with a .410 guage shotgun to get him away.

Mrs. Hamlett had not found her husband because he was obscured by the herd of cattle grouped around the bull in the yard.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 at the Methodist Church with Rev. Park Anderson officiating. Burial was made in the Strawberry Point Cemetery.

Obituary of Freeling H. Hamlett
Freeling H. Hamlett, son of Mary Giles and Davis James Hamlett, was born in Harrison County, Virgina, Sept. 2, 1866. He was the eldest of eight children, seven of whom lived to adulthood.

In 1871 when a child of five years he came with his parents to Delaware, Iowa by train, from there they continued their journey by team to the home of his grandparents, Davie and Margaret Hamlett, who were pioneers of Turkey Timber near Wood Center, now called Wood. Here he grew to manhood, receiving his schooling at Wood. He was among the first pupils to enroll in District No. 2. When a lad of 15 he hauled ties for his father to Manchester for the railroad which was gradually being extended westward from Delaware.

Being of sturdy progressive stock and with hopes of bettering their fortunes, the family journeyed westward to the newly opened state of Nebraska, taking up claims in Sheridan County. Here he was married to Martha E. Mullenix in 1891. He took his bride to the newly built sod house on his prairie claim. After three years of repeated drouth the family moved by covered wagon to Putman County, Missouri. After three more years the urge for better soil prompted him to take the covered wagon trail once more, this time locating in Keya Poha County, Nebraska. Here for nine years he engaged in sheep and cattle raising.

In 1907 due to failing health of his mother, he returned to Iowa, bought a farm on Elk Creek, from thence he moved to the present farm where he has lived for the past 32 years.

Mr. Hamlett was a man of keen business ability and was successful in his undertakings. He served as director of the old First National Bank, and at the time of his death was vice-president and director of Union Bank and Trust Co.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hamlett were born eight children, Mrs. W. J. Baldridge, Mrs. E. L. Kenneally, Dave and Henry Hamlett of Strawberry Point, Vincent Hamlett of Aurora, Mrs. Clyde Miersen of Farmersburg, Earl who preceded him in death a year ago, and one daughter who died in infancy, who with their mother are the nearest surviviors. Mr. Hamlett also leaves 21 grandchildren, two brothers, John and Joe Hamlett of Edgewood, and one sister, Mrs. L. O. Burgin of Dundee, Iowa.

On August 10 of this year they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Mr. Hamlett enjoyed good health throughout his lifetime and his untimely death comes as a shock to the community and his family.