Heald, Samuel 1830-1913

HEALD, HOBSON

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 4/1/2017 at 23:10:15

Source: Hawarden Independent (5-8-1913)

Born: September 18, 1830
Died: May 3, 1913

Samuel Heald, one of the pioneers of Sioux County, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William E. West, in this city, last Saturday evening just before the midnight hour. He had been failing in health for some time and the infirmities of his years brought life to a close. In his death one of the few remaining pioneers of the early 70’s passes away. For over forty-two years he had been a resident of this vicinity and saw every stage of the county’s development from a prairie wilderness, infested by Indians, coyotes and grasshoppers, to one of the most prosperous communities on earth.

The history of western Sioux County and the growth and development of Calliope and Hawarden could all be well included in the biography of Samuel Heald, so closely was his life associated with it.

It was on the first day of November, 1870, that Samuel Heald, with the good wife who survives him, with ox team and covered wagon, stopped at the village of Calliope, after a cross-country trip from Black Hawk county, this state. Calliope then consisted of two log cabins and three or four frame shacks, none of which could accommodate scarcely another person, to say nothing of a family of seven, and Mr. Heald and family continued to camp out during their first night in their new found home. Winter was coming on and a shack, on the bank of the river where Ensign’s mill now stands, was hastily weather boarded and in this the family spent their first winter in Sioux County. Two years later they erected that was then considered a very commodious home on their farm west of where the city of Hawarden now stands, the green cottonwood lumber for which was hauled from a saw mill on the Missouri River south of Elk Point.

It was here that Mr. Heald was successively postmaster, road supervisor, justice of the peace and friendly adviser to any in need. It as here that the weary way-farer always found the latch-string out by day and a beacon light of welcome ever shining from the window by night. It is this life that has gone from us--kind, benevolent, truly sincere--yes, a life that has been long, eventful and well spent.

Samuel Herld was born in Newgarden, Columbiana County, Ohio, September 18, 1830, his last anniversary being his 82nd year. October 23rd, 1850, at Plymouth, Ohio, he married Jane Hobson. Five children, all of whom survive their father, were born to this union. The children are: Alfred W. of Aurora, Colorado; Mrs. Carrie West of Hawarden; Wolfred L. of Royal, Nebraska; Mrs. Eva Fay, of Springfield, Massachutes; and Charles M. of Spokane, Washington. These, together with twenty-seven grandchildren and his aged wife are left to mourn his passing.

For nearly twenty years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Herld continued to reside near their old Ohio home and then they came to Black Hawk County, this state, making the trip by team, the journey requiring nearly six weeks’ time. They remained there a little over a year and then came to Sioux County where they have since made their home. Two years ago this venerable couple celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.

The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the city. Reverend V.A. Weir, pastor of the church preached the funeral sermon. Mr. Heald had been a Mason for nearly sixty years and the members of this order had full charge of the obsequies from the church to the grave. The large concourse of friends who came to pay their last tribute of respect to the departed life speaks in highest terms of the esteem in which Samuel Heald was held in this community.

The relatives from out of town in attendance at the funeral were: W.L. Heald of Royal, Nebraska, and C.M. Heald of Spokane, sons; Robert Heald of Sioux City and Max E. West of Boone, Iowa, grandsons; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur F. Mullen, of Sioux City, the latter a granddaughter; William H. Hobson, of West Branch, Iowa, and J.G. Hobson, of Sioux City, brothers of Mrs. Heald; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hunter of Sioux City and Reverend William Wallace of Sioux Falls.