Hamill, Mrs. Nancy A.

DUNCAN, HAMILL

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 5/24/2021 at 15:35:23

Mrs. Nancy A. Hamill. It is fitting to record the history of those who have lived, and during their lifetime have aided in the development of a new country, as well as to preserve the record of tier lives for the benefit of future generations. Our subject was born in Monroe County, Tenn., and is a daughter of John and Rachel Duncan, both of Scotch ancestry. Rachel Duncan made no change to her name at marriage. There may have been some relationship existing, but it could not be traced. Both were born in Washington County, Tenn., where they were married, after which they removed to Monroe County. They had eleven children, three of whom died in infancy. The others were: Joseph Carter, deceased; Marion, John E., Nelson, Mary, Jane E., Caroline and Nancy. All came to Louisa County, Iowa, with their parents, sometime in 1840, settling in Columbus City.

The early history of this county would fail in its import if it did not mention the noble son of John and Rachel Duncan. John Calvin, who enlisted when sixteen years of age in the 11th Iowa Regiment and served three years, being engaged in some of the most important battles of the war. Little did he think when bidding his dear mother farewell, that he would never see her again, but with a proud step and loyal heart he boldly marched to the front and did his duty like a man. And epidemic of a typhoid character swept over this country in 1865, and filled the houses of many with mourning. Among these was the family of John Duncan, Sr., who, on September 1, buried his oldest son Joseph, and five days later the devoted wife and loving mother was borne to her last resting-place. She was buried a short time before the return of her soldier boy, who expected to greet her with the joyful news that peace was declared, and that the principles for which he fought had been established.

The father remained upon his farm until his death, which occurred in May, 1876. Francis Duncan, his brother and a bachelor, was a soldier of the War of 1812, and during the last years of his life made his home with his brother John, and his remains were interred in the Church cemetery. Jane Duncan married Joseph Hamill, and bore three children, all of whom are deceased. Joseph Hamill purchased a farm in this county, upon which there were living when his death occurred. His widow wedded Daniel McLaughlin, a prominent pioneer of this county. Nancy Duncan and her sister Caroline both married at the same time and place, March 11, 1862, at the residence of the Rev. Thomas Evans, of Louisa County. Caroline wedded David C. and Nancy A. wedded Reuben H. Hamill. The Hamills were cousins, their families being residents of Louisa County, but later the young couples made homes in this county. Caroline is the mother of John C. and Clara J.; John is a jeweler in Washington. David Hamill is a wealthy resident of Washington.

Reuben H. Hamill and his wife began their domestic life upon the farm where our subject still resides. Here they lived and prospered, and here all of their children were born; James H., Elizabeth, John and Grace A. completed the family circle. The father’s death took place in August, 1886. The eldest son owns a half section of land in California, and is at present a clerk in Selma, Fresno County, that State. Much care has been taken in the education of the children, who do honor to the name they bear. Reuben Hamill improved a large farm of 400 acres, building a fine country residence. He was noted for his enterprise, and his extraordinary labor was the cause of his death. He was one of the most generous men of his day, and no one was his peer in subscribing to and aiding charitable purposes. A generous provider for his family, a Christian by birth ad education, this good man was known far and near as one in whom all had confidence. Both himself and wife were members of the Crawfordsville United Presbyterian Church, and Rev. James Elliott preached his funeral sermon in the church where for years Mr. Hamill had devotedly worshiped. His remains are interred in the cemetery near Columbus City, and as the birds sing their gentle requiem over his grave, his children and his loving wife, whom he left so amply provided with all the comforts of life, can do his memory no higher honor than in the perpetuation of the history of the one who was of the most conscientious of men, and deserving of remembrance.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Nancy A. Hamill, pages 268-269.