Halley, Branson F.

HALLEY, SHAMBLIN, PRENDERGAST, TYLER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 6/8/2003 at 20:53:36

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

CAPTAIN BRANSON F. HALLEY

Among those who so valiantly fought for the preservation of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war was this well-known veterinary surgeon of DeWitt, who has successfully engaged in the practice of his profession at this place for twenty-two years. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on the 8th of September, 1839, a son of John and Harriet (Shamblin) Halley. His paternal grandfather was Nathaniel Halley, a pioneer of Washington county, Ohio, and his maternal grandfather was William Shamblin, another early settle of the Buckeye state who was from Virginia. In 1850 the father of our subject removed with his family to Iowa, and settled in Jackson county, where he opened up and improved a farm, making his home there for many years. His last years, however, were spent in Manning, Iowa, where he died, in 1897. His wife survived him two years, passing away in July, 1899.
Captain Halley was a child of eleven years when the family came to this state, and he grew to manhood upon the old home farm in Jackson county, receiving a fair education in the common schools of that county and in the high school of Maquoketa. He remained with his father until the south attempted to secede, when he determined to strike a blow for the Union. On the 1st of August, 1861, he enlisted in Company L, Second Iowa Cavalry, which became a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and he participated in the battle of Island No. 10, after which he went, with his command, to East Port and Chicasaw. He was in both battle of Corinth, and the engagements to Iuka and Holly Springs; the big charge at Framington; and later helped drive General Forest out of Memphis. Subsequently he took part in the battle of Coffeyville, Mississippi. Captain Halley entered the service as a private, but was soon promoted to second sergeant, and served in that capacity for some time. Later he was detailed to raise a company of colored troops, and at its organization was elected second lieutenant. Subsequently he was detailed on General Bowdon’s staff, and after being with him for about a year, was on the staff of General Alexander until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, at Morganza Bend, Louisiana, march 17, 1865. During his entire service he was never confined in a hospital, and lost little time from illness or other causes. He received on thirty-day furlough, of which he spent ten days at home, and then returned, as his services were needed.

Prior to entering the army, Captain Halley studied medicine, with Dr. Cook, for one year, and on his return from the war took up the study of veterinary surgery. Later he engaged in practice at his home, In Maquoketa, Jackson county, until 1875, when he removed to Scott county, Iowa, and was engaged in practice there for four years. At the end of that time he came to Clinton county, and has since been in practice at DeWitt, where he is acknowledged to be one of the best and most successful veterinary surgeons in this section of the state. He is one of the self-made men of the county, having through his own well directed efforts acquired a comfortable home and competence.

At Carroll, Iowa, December 27, 1898, Captain Halley was united in marriage with Miss Hattie Prendergast, who was born in Indiana, but reared in this state, her father being William Prendergast, of DeWitt. William Prendergast was born at the old Tower, in London, June 27, 1828. At the age of nineteen he came to the United States, permanently locating at Ogdensburg, New York. He later came west, and married Mary J. Tyler, at Joliet, Illinois. He was a shoemaker by trade, and for the last third of a century has lived in Iowa. His wife died January 1, 1889. In his political affiliations the Captain has been a life-long Republican, having cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. He is an honored member of the Grand Army Post at DeWitt, and is now serving as senior vice. He was a brave and fearless soldier on fields of battle, and in all the relations of life has been found true and faithful to every trust reposed in him.