DeHART, Eli: 1813-1901

DEHART, HARKNESS, DAVIS

Posted By: Volunter: Sherri
Date: 4/26/2013 at 08:19:59

Eli DeHart was born in Canada, May 7, 1813, and died at his home in Henry township, Van Buren county, Iowa, Sept. 21, 1901, aged 88 years, 3 months and 15 days.

He married Miss Hannah Harkness in 1834. To them ten children were born, eight boys and two girls, five of whom survive, viz: the sons George, Milton, William, Thomas, and daughter Mrs. Anna Davis. In the fall of 1838 Mr. DeHart and family left Canada and passed the winter in St. Louis, Mo., and in 1839 came by steamboat to Van Buren county, landing on April 4 at Columbus, then a thriving town on the left bank of the Des Moines river about two miles west of Bentonsport and just across the river from the farm where he died, making his residence in Van Buren county about 62 years.

Father DeHart was a man of whom his acquaintances could consistently say just as good things while he was living as dead. He had but few faults to forget--as few as exist with the best of men. Everybody respected him. No one could say evil of him except the evil was in the one saying it. Wouldn't we all like to have it that way when we are in our graves?

The funeral was held at the residence Sunday afternoon Sept. 22, 1901, Eld. Clark Bateman of the Christian church of Keosauqua, of which the deceased was a member in charge of the services. The burial was at the side of his wife, in the Fellow cemetery, near this place.

**I research the DEHART lineage.**

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book C, Page 11, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA