A. R. Hatfield, one of the leading merchants of Coon Rapids, and an active and enterprising citizen, is a native of Indiana, born in Warsaw, Kosciusko County, December 5, 1841, a son of Richard and Catherine (Rose) Hatfield. They were the parents of fourteen children, our subject being the eldest child. He was reared to manhood in his native county, remaining there till the fall of 1861, when he went to White County, Indiana. July 9, 1862, he enlisted in defense of the Union, and was assigned to Company K, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, participating in all the engagements in which his regiment took part. He was in the Georgia campaign where his regiment lost 450 men at Macon, who were either taken prisoner or killed, and was also in the Morgan campaign after that noted rebel raider, Morgan. Mr. Hatfield served as Bugler the greater part of the time while in the service. He received an honorable discharge in June, 1865. He then went to Jasper County, Iowa, where his parents had removed during the war. He followed farming from 1866 until 1871, and in September of the latter year he engaged in the mercantile business at Vandalia, Iowa. He remained at Vandalia until 1880, where he was variously engaged, when he removed to Audubon County, Iowa, locating at Viola Center, where he was engaged in improving a new farm, and at the same time carried on a general mercantile business, establishing a good trade. In September, 1882, Mr. Hatfield came to Coon Rapids, Carroll County, where he has since made his home. He is a man of good business ability and has met with excellent success in his mercantile pursuits. He carries a large stock of goods, worth about $12,000, his annual sales amounting to some $25,000. Mr. Hatfield was united in marriage March 14, 1875, to Miss May M. Yager, a daughter of Albert Yager, of Jasper County, Iowa. Since becoming a resident of Coon Rapids Mr. Hatfield has taken an active interest in the improvement of the town, and has given liberally of his means toward any enterprise for its advancement. Beside the business house in which he is located, he owns two houses and four lots in the town, and a well improved farm of 120 acres in Audubon County. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was the first commander of the post at Coon Rapids.

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