George DeHart ~ 1837-1920

DEHART, SHRIVER, WATKINS, MILLER, GASTON

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 2/4/2002 at 10:10:25

George DeHart, son of Eli and Hannah DeHart, was born Jan. 13, 1837, near Toronto, Canada, and passed to his eternal reward Feb. 28, 1920, aged 83 years, 1 month and 15 days. He came to Van Buren county in what was then Iowa territory, in the early part of April, 1839. He came from Canada via the Ohio river by boat and landed at a small place named Columbus, near Bentonsport. In the very beginning of the Civil War he enlisted in the Union army, Dec. 2, 1861. In his first engagement at Shiloh, he was severely wounded, but upon recovering he returned into the actual conflict. He was with Gen. Sherman in his famous march from Atlanta to the Sea. He also participated in the grand review of the victorious troops at Washington, D.C. at the close of the war and was one of the guards to his company in that great event. He was mustered out July 22, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, and received his final discharge at Davenport, Iowa, Aug. 5, 1865. He came back home and resumed his occupation of farming. He was united in marriage to Margaret Jane Shriver the last day of February, 1866. To this union were born six children, three of whom and his wife preceded him to the better land. After an interval of something over five years following the death of his wife, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Phylura Watkins, Oct. 16, 1899. She died in the fall of 1909. Since then he made his home with his children. He united with the M.E. church at Center Chapel under the ministry of Rev. Charles Wilson about 35 years ago, and ever since was a loyal and faithful member. He was a steady, reliable man, dependable every day of his life, a good, kind husband and father, and a neighbor and friend completely trusted by his entire acquaintance. He leaves to mourn their loss three children, one son Hector E. and two daughters, Mrs. Craig Miller of near Mt. Zion and Mrs. Will Gaston of near Mt. Sterling; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild; also two brothers Wm. DeHart of Watsonville, Calif. and Thomas DeHart of Keosauqua, Iowa, and a multitude of nephews and nieces and a great host of neighbors and friends. Funeral services were conducted in Center Chapel on Sunday afternoon by Rev. R.W. Luce, of Mt. Sterling, pastor of the church, assisted by Rev. G.H. Smith of Farmington. A number from Harper Post, G.A.R. of Keosauqua conducted a memorial service in the church at the close of the preaching exercises.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings