Nathaniel Baker PAINE

HEWETT, PAINE, FRENCH, JAMES

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

Nathaniel Baker Paine
17 January 1827 --- 3 November 1905

Nathaniel Baker Paine was born Jan. 17, 1827 in Worcester County, Mass., where he grew to manhood and received his education. He was a son of David Draper Paine and Jemima (French) Paine. He was the second son in the family of eight children having four brothers and three sisters.

After leaving the old homestead he went to Whitinsville, Mass. and there mastered the machinists trade and mechanical engineering.

In March 1852 he was united in marriage to Amanda S. Hewett, who still survives him, to this union was born four sons and one daughter, all whom are still living except the daughter, Mary E. Paine who died in 1889, his widow and sons and their families are residing in or near Eagle Grove.

Shortly after his marriage to Miss Hewett, they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he made his home for two years and was engaged with Mr. Holt in the manufacture of locomotives, boilers, and engines, doing a successful business. His health failing him in 1854, he sold out his manufacturing interests to his partner and came to Iowa, leaving his wife at Rock Island, he pushed on to Ft. Des Moines and there being advised that game was plenty in Northern Iowa, he slung his gun across his shoulder and with his brother-in-law S. B. Hewett, better known as Judge Hewett, they came to what is now known as Wright county and selecting for their future home the tract of land where his son, Frank L. Paine, and Geo. James now live. They erected their log cabin in the fall of 1854, after which he and Mr. Hewett returned to Rock Island for their wives, with whom they arrived in Feb. 1855, and commenced housekeeping in the wilds of Northern Iowa.

Here they subsisted for years mainly by hunting and fishing. The hostile Indians were still present and from time to time they made a raid upon the frontier settlements. Buffalo, deer, elk, antelope, wolves and foxes were abundant, and many an adventure and narrow escape did he have from the Indians and wild animals. Many and interesting were the tales of adventure and pioneer life recited by Mr. Paine in story and in verse.

He soon regained his health and became a leader among the pioneers.

He was an expert hunter and trapper and the best marksman with his rifle in the Great Northwest. In the spring of 1857, at the time of the Spirit Lake Massacre, he organized the pioneers for defense against the Sioux Indians; the women and children were sent back into the settlements, while the men built a log fort for defense. At this time the hostile Indians were driven out of Iowa never to return. Captain Paine and his “Ragged Rifles” were needed no longer as Indian fighters.

The wives and children returned and home life was again resumed; settlers came and a meeting was called and Wright county was organized at their cabin. Mr. Paine was a great reader and a student of law. He was duly admitted to the bar and became the first County Attorney for Wright county.

During the Civil War be was in the employ of the U. S. Gov. as a recruiting officer, he thus became the drill master for many an awkward "squad."

In later life he was prominent in politics and a leader in Fraternal societies, being very prominent as an Odd Fellow. His death occurred at the ripe age, of almost 79 years on Nov. 3, 1905.

During his lifetime he acquired considerable fame as a poet. Some of his poems are excellent and show marked talent. He was known over Northern Iowa, as the "Black Bean Poet." His name was never omitted from the program on great occasions when he was always invited to deliver an original poem.

To say that he was a loving husband, a kind father and a good and honored citizen is not enough. He was one of the pioneers, who helped make and shape this portion of our beloved state, and it was such men as he, who took the part of the wronged and the helpless in the struggle of life. He leaves many friends to mourn his departure; may their memory of him be eternal.

TIMES GAZETTE -- Eagle Grove, Iowa
November 8, 1905
Page 1; Column 3

source -- Paul Wilde