Julia A (Gillett) Hatfield

HATFIELD, GILLETT, BEDFORD, MORSE

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 5/5/2004 at 11:27:21

Mrs. Julia A. Hatfield, widow of the late Nathan Hatfield, and an esteemed and venerated resident of Maquoketa, coming to Iowa in Territorial days, has, during the forty-five years that have since elapsed, witnessed almost its entire growth and development from a sparsely inhabited, wild Territory to a great and glorious commonwealth. And as the wife of one of its pioneers, whom she patiently assisted in the rearing of a comfortable home, she has contributed her quota to the present prosperity of the State, and, with many another noble pioneer woman, is worthy of recognition in this Biographical Album.

Our subject comes of a sterling New England ancestry, although Scott, Cortland Co., N.Y., was the place of her birth. Mr. Hatfield was a native of New York, Weathersfield, Cattaraugus County being his birthplace. Her father, Grove Gillett, was born in Norfolk, Conn., Aug. 18, 1789. His father, who was a farmer, subsequently removed to Pennsylvania, and spent his last years in that State. Mrs. Hatfield's father became an early settler of Cortland County, N.Y., but after residing there a few years went to Pennsylvania, and buying a tract of timber land, cleared a farm, on which he lived until 1848. In that year coming to Iowa he bought a tract of wild prairie land in Clinton, and again set himself to the pioneer task of improving a farm. He continued his residence in Clinton County a number of years, and then disposing of his property there, removed to Woodbury County, and buying a tract of land, improved still another farm, and there his death occurred, March 17, 1875. His estimable wife had preceded him to the grave twenty years before, dying in their home in Clinton County in 1855. She was likewise of New England birth, born in Whitehall, Vt., April 22, 1779, her maiden name being Nancy Bedford. Mrs. Hatfielf remained an inmate of the parental household until her marriage, and from her mother, who was an excellent housewife, received careful instruction in all the various duties that devolve on a housekeeper, and was well qualified to become the valuable helpmate of some enterprising, capable young man. May 7, 1839, she was united in marriage to Nathan Hatfield, and went forth from the shelter of the parental roof to share his life and home, and aid him in his work, as only a thoughtful, loving wife can.

Mr. Hatfield was born in Cattaraugus County, N.Y., Feb. 11, 1816, and was the son of William Hatfield, a pioneer of that county. His father had bought a large tract of timber land, which he improved into a fine farm, and on which he resided many years. In 1855 he sold his property in New York, and coming to Iowa he invested in wild prairie land, which, in the years that succeeded his settlement in Bloomfield Township, he placed under cultivation, and erected an excellent set of buildings, and made his home there until death called him hence. The maiden name of his wife was Polly Whitmore, and after her husband's death she made her home with her daughter in Minnesota the remainder of her life.

Mr. Hatfield was reared on his father's farm in his native county, and continued living with his parents until he had grown to maturity, and he then started in life for himself. He at first worked out by the month for four years, and after his marriage rented land in Cattaraugus County two years. Wishing to become more independent and own land himself, he decided that he would avail himself of the fine opportunity offered to the wide-awake, energetic young farmers by the cheap lands of the Territory of Iowa, and, in 1844, accompanied by his wife and child, he made the long journey from his native State through the forests and across the prairies of the intervening States to his destination with three horses and a wagon. Several families came at the same time, and their household goods were shipped by way of the Lakes to Chicago.

After Mr. Hatfield had got his family comfortably settled, he returned to Chicago with his team for his furniture and other belongings. He took a claim of Government land in Bloomfield Township and entered it at the land-office at Dubuque. His first work was to build a log cabin for the temporary shelter of his family, and in that humble home they dwelt four years, when he erected a more commodious frame house, and also built frame barns and other necessary buildings. He placed all his land under fine cultivation, and continued to reside there until 1873. In that year he sold his farm in that township, and coming to Maquoketa he and his wife settled in a comfortable home to enjoy the competence that was the result of their united labors.

On the 12th of June, 1887, Mr. Hatfield fell into that sleep that knows no waking, and thus was closed the life of a good man whom none knew but to respect and honor. When he and his wife came to this State it was then a Territory, and scarcely a decade had elapsed since the first furrow had been turned on its soil, and it could scarcely have given promise of the great strides that it has since made towards becoming one of the great agricultural centres of the country. There were no railways then as far West as the Mississippi River, and he had to draw all his grain to the river towns to find a market for it. He lived to see the State well settled and wealthy, and it must have given him satisfaction to think that he contributed to its development from the wild Territory, the home of the Indians, and over whose vast prairies he had seen deer, wolves, and other wild game roaming at will.

Of his pleasant wedded life with our subject but one son was born, named Charles, and his death, at the age of fourteen, was their greatest grief. But that sad loss did not embitter their lives, and make their hearts grow cold to the needs of other, but they ever practiced benevolence, and took into their home other children, whom they reared to useful lives. Lucius Gillett, a brother of Mrs. Hatfield, came to live with them when he was quite young, and resided with them until he was twenty-four years old. He then enlisted in the 31st Iowa Volunteers, and died in the service of his country. Mrs. Hatfield's sister, Nancy Gillett, who is now dead, resided with them from early girlhood until her marriage to Perkins Morse. Mrs. Hatfield is an attendant at the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is always willing to aid in every good work.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)