William (1813 - 1895) and Sarah (Davis) DeTar (1820 - 1907)

DETAR, DAVIS, FIELD, BARNES, BEAL, HOBSON, STUMP, TAYLOR, SLY, LEE, ROSS, BEEKS, WALKER, KUSSART, CRAWFORD, THOMPSON, SCRIBNER

Posted By: DJ Scieszinski
Date: 8/23/2017 at 18:35:44

THE ALBIA UNION
Thursday, June 23, 1893

A NOTICABLE GATHERING
Uncle Billy DeTar's Family Re-union

On last Tuesday a reunion was held at the home of the old pioneer, “Uncle Billy” DeTar over in Pleasant township, and perhaps there has not been a family reunion in the state which surpassed it, in the number of direct descendants participating, or in the ability, manhood and general good character of those who were there present. A visit from Dr. Theodore DeTar, of Florida, Uncle Billy’s only living brother, was cause for the family re-union.

Uncle Benny Field and wife, close neighbors, and life-long friends of Uncle Billy and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Barnes of the UNION were the only persons invited to the re-union outside of the blood relationship.

A program had been arranged for the occasion as follows:

1st Song….” Bless the Lord, My Soul.”
2nd….Prayer by Rev. Dr. Beal.
3rd….Song….”The Beautiful Light.”
4th…. Address by Rev. Dr. Beal.
5th…. Song….” Beautiful Robes.”
6th…. Address by A. R. Barnes.
7th….Dinner.
8th…. Reading of the family record.
9th….Song….”God be with you till we meet again.”

A long table had been spread under the evergreen trees in the front yard, and they were laden with all the substantials and delacies in the list. The program was carried out till No. 7, was reached when the harvest began. In the addresses references was made to the early days when Uncle Billy and his worthy and noble helpmeet settled on that same spot, before the Indians had sold their possessions and removed farther west; to the trials and hardships of their pioneer life; to the growth and wonderful development of the county and country; to their devoted interest in the cause of the church, the school and the betterment of those who came in poverty to abide with them and aid in developing the country. Uncle Billy did not respond in words, but his actions indicated the supreme delight he felt in having his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and a few friends, who partook of his hospitality, and the revival of the memories of the long ago.​

The family record showed that Uncle Billy's ancestors were French, and the first settlement in the United States was in Westmoreland county, Pa. He was one of thirteen children, he and his brother Dr. Theodore, and sister, Mrs. Dr. Beal, being the only survivors. The family were noted for their strong personality; were endowed with energy, sagacity, and intense friendships. Uncle Billy in October will have reached four score years, and is still spry. He met his guests, and directed all the details, and was really about the most active person on the premises. His good wife, Aunt Sarah, is some eight years his junior; enjoys excellent health, pursues her domestic duties with activity and pleasure, and bids fair to outlive many of those who were guests.

At our request we were furnished with a brief history of Uncle Billy and Aunt Sarah, and of their offsprings, which we publish below.

William DeTar and Sarah Jane DeTar, moved from Indiana to Jefferson county, Iowa, in the fall of 1841. In October 1846 they removed to Monroe county, to the tract of land which has been their home ever since. Their family record is as follows:

Elizabeth DeTar was born in Jefferson Co., Nov. 22nd, 1841. She was married to Richard Hobson March 7th, 1861. Their post office address is Eddyville. Their residence one and one half miles from the old homestead. To them were born four children. Ester Ettie born Feb. 5th, 1862, unmarried and living at home. Sarah Margaret, was born Feb. 28th, 1864; was married Feb. 26th, 1885, to M. J. Stump. Their address is Bluff Creek. To them were born three children, Florence B., Ira C., and Lena M. Emma Alvira, the third born of Elizabeth and Richard Hobson was born Oct. 25th, 1866, and died March 28th, 1888. Joseph William Hobson was born Feb 21st, 1870, and lives at home.

John David DeTar was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, Dec. 10th, 1843, was married Sep. 29th, 1870, to Mary A. Taylor, of Mahaska county. He is a minister of the Des Moines conference, and at present is stationed at Hastings, Iowa. To them was born Sarah Louisa DeTar, Aug. 29th, 1871, who lives at home; Johnnie and Willie DeTar, twins, Sept. 5th, 1875. They were both drowned June 16th, 1890, in the Boyer river in Harrison county, Iowa. Theodore Robert DeTar, born April 7th, 1877, and died April 5th, 1878. David Franklin DeTar was born in Greenfield, Iowa, May 1st, 1884.

The third child of William and Sarah Jane, was William Becks DeTar, who was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, Feb. 4th, 1846. Post office address Eddyville. He was married Aug. 26th, 1869, to Mary S. Sly. To them were born four children: Alice, born June 3d, 1870, and died May 22d, 1871; Nora, born July 6th, 1872, married Nov. 25th, 1890 to J. B. Lee. To them was born Lora May, on Nov. 6th, 1892. Bertha May, third child of W. B. and M. S. DeTar, was born Jan. 3d, 1879. Wm. Walter, was born July 4th, 1882.

Sarah D. DeTar was born July 21st, 1848 and died Jan 14th, 1882.

Abigail R. DeTar was born Oct. 28th, 1850; was married Oct. 28th, 1872, to Isaac Ross who died in a few months. She was married the second time to Rev. L. A. Beeks, Nov. 10th, 1875. He is a member of the North Indiana conference. Their address is Knightstown, Indiana.

George A. DeTar was born Feb. 2d, 1853; was married to Miss Eliza A. Walker, Oct. 25th, 1876. Eliza Walker died Dec. 20th, 1881. Of this union were born, Sarah Jane, Nov. 12th, 1877, and Geo. W. born April 22nd, 1884*. George A. was married the second time to Jennette Kussart, May 7th, 1884. To them were born Jessie, Oct. 16th, 1886; John Wesley, May 14th, 1892. Address Eddyville.

Harriett Ellen was born May 7th, 1855, and was married to W. N. Crawford, Nov. 10th, 1875. To them were born Amalfi R., born July 31st, 1886, and Charles A. W., Nov. 30th, 1877, Sarah J., Sept. 9th, 1889.

Susan A. was born May 26th, 1858, and died Oct. 8th, 1859.

Eli J. was born May 12th, 1861; was married March 10th, 1892, to Martha A. Thompson. To them was born David J., March 22d, 1893. Their address Eddyville.

Eva Dodd, was born May 27th, 1864. She was married to William M. Scribner, Sept. 27th, 1882. To them were born Louis Bert, Aug. 31st, 1893; Sarah Ettie, Aug. 3d, 1885; Mary Elsie , Feb. 14th, 1888; Clara May, April 21st, 1892. Clara May died May 13th, 1893.

All of the persons above enumerated were present, of those living, except Mrs. Beeks and family of Knightstown, Indiana, and the wife of Rev. David DeTar of Hastings. Total number, eight children, nineteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren. The wife and youngest daughter of Dr. Theodore DeTar, and the husband, sons and daughters of Mrs. Dr. Beal, were also present, the total party numbering about seventy-five.