GATLIN, James - 1890 Bio (1817-1897)

GATLIN, MARTIN, HIATT, SMITH, BLICKENSDERFER, MCCAULEY, VAWTER, ALLEN, JONES, CARROLL, FITZHUGH, BEATTY, PICKARD, DUNN, GIBBINS, COLEMAN, GEORGE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/7/2007 at 15:28:24

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 277-278

James GATLIN, a highly respected citizen of Pleasant Plain, Jefferson County, claims Tennessee as the State of his nativity, having been born in Lincoln County, in 1817. His father, Dempsey GATLIN, was a native of North Carolina, and resided in South Carolina, Georgia, and subsequently in Tennessee. He served in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson, and participated in the battles of Pensacola and New Orleans, where a most signal victory was gained. On the return of peace he took up his residence in Alabama, where he remained for five years, when, in 1822, he became a resident of Sangamon County, Ill. Nine years later he took up his residence in Tazewell County, of the same State, but after thirteen years, in 1844, we find him located in Washington County, Iowa. Purchasing land from the Government, he there engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on the 26th of May, 1854. He had leared the trade of saddle-making and coopering, but engaged in agricultural pursuits during the greater part of his life. His marriage took place in Tennessee some time prior to the War of 1812, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah MARTIN, whose parents were natives of North Carolina. Her death occurred in 1845, and the following year Mr. GATLIN wedded Sarah HIATT, who was called to her final rest ere her husband passed away. By the first union were born thirteen children, eight of whom grew to maturity, namely: Sina, now deceased; Hardy, who is living in Carthage, Mo.; Nathan B., who died in Illinois; James, of this sketch; George W., deceased; Isaac, who enlisted in an Illinois regiment and died during the service near Nashville, Tenn.; Dempsey and Sarah deceased. The other members of the family died in infancy. The father of the above mentioned children was a man of many excellencies of character, whose consistent Christian life won him the high regard of all with whom he came in contact. In his earlier years he was a member of the Baptist Church, but later united with the Christian Church. He was an ardent admirer of his old General, Andrew Jackson, and supported the Democratic party until 1840, when he cast his ballot for William Henry Harrison.

The first six years of his life our subject spent in his native State, and then became a resident of Illinois, where he was reared to manhood upon a farm. That State was then but sparsely settled, and in consequence the educational advantages which it provided were very meagre. Mr. GATLIN probably never attended school for more than twelve months, but experience and observation have proved useful teachers to him. Like a dutiful son, he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm until twenty-four years of age, when he left the parental roof and began life for himself, his first work being in a woolen mill, where he remained two years. He was married is in (sic) 1842, after which he bought land and turned his attention to farming, continuing operations in Illinois until 1850, when he sought a home in the new State of Iowa. Purchasing his father's farm in Washington County, he made his home thereon until 1879, when he laid aside the duties of farm life and removed to Pleasant Plain, which has since been his home. For six years he conducted a hotel in the village, but is now living a retired life, having in former years by industry, good management and perseverance acquired a competence, which now enables him to lay aside all business cares.

Following the footsteps of his father, Mr. GATLIN cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison, and affiliated with the Whig party until the formation of the new Republican party, he supporting its first candidate, John C. Fremont. Having made his home for some years in Sangamon County, Ill, he became personally acquainted with both Lincoln and Douglas, and has often heard them speak on the political issues of that day. Only once since 1856 has he wavered in his allegiance to the Republican party, he having voted for Peter Cooper. He also entertains the strongest Prohibition sentiments and labored earnestly for the interest of the amendment. He is a member of the Grange, and religiously, is a member of the Christian Church, to which his wife also belongs, he being an Elder in the same. As a citizen, he is true to every duty devolving upon him, and in both the social and business world ranks high.

As before stated, Mr. GATLIN was married on the 11th of October, 1842, his union being with Miss Virginia SMITH, and unto them were born two children -- Eliza Jane, born September 6, 1843, is now the wife of John BLICKENSDERFER, who resides on a ranch in Wyoming; Francis Marion, born December 27, 1844, wedded Miss Mary J. McCAULEY, of Washington County, Iowa, and is living in Smith County, Kan. The death of the mother occurred in the year 1846, and the 21st of September, 1847, witnessed the marriage of Mr. GATLIN and Miss Nancy VAWTER, daughter of Elliott and Anna VAWTER, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky, where their wedding took place. They became residents of Todd County, Ky., where they spent their last days. Mrs. GATLIN was born in that State, August 10, 1824, and by her marriage became the mother of nine children -- Virginia A., who was born in Tazewell County, Ill., September 25, 1848, became the wife of George ALLEN and after his death wedded J. W. JONES, general auctioneer and farmer of Lenox, Iowa; Sarah S., born May 20, 1850, is the wife of George CARROLL, a wholesale hardware dealer and prominent business man of Sioux City, who also travels upon the road as a salesman; Kate L., born May 10, 1852, is the wife of Henry FITZHUGH, who is a resident of Colorado; Pet E., born October 11, 1854, is the wife of D. R. BEATTY, a stock raiser of Wyoming; Sina E., born November 19, 1856, is the wife of Aaron PICKARD, of Pleasant Plain; Jephthah D., born November 27, 1857, married Miss Mattie DUNN and is carrying on a livery stable in Brighton; Maggie M., born July 8, 1860, is the wife of Morton GIBBINS, of Richland County, Wis.; Mary C., born October 4, 1862, is the wife of A. J. COLEMAN, of Ft. Collins, Colo., who is editor of a paper at that place; and Emma J., born February 3, 1865, is the wife of Frank B. GEORGE, of Colorado. The children were all provided with liberal educational advantages, and six daughters of the family have engaged in teaching school.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.