For the second time within two weeks the death angel has visited the Earnest Hall home in Plainsfield. On Jan 15 Dorris the 7 yr old daughter passed away and just twelve days later the father, Earnest Hall, passes away, both deaths being due to heart failure a severe illness from throat trouble, supposedly diphtheria. EARNEST C HALL was born Jan.15, 1878 at Mitchell Iowa, coming to Nashua with his parents in the spring of 1889 and since that time he has resided in this vicinity. He was married about eight years ago to Miss Mattie HILL and to this union three children were born, two of whom with the wife to mourn his untimely death. He is also survived by his mother, Mrs. Charlotte McLarnan, and four brothers and two sisters, namely Earl I. Hall of Nashua, Roy, of Stillwater,Minn. Warren, of Freeport ILL.; Elmer, of Montana; Mrs. Ida Ruyon and Mrs. Zelia Ireland of Verndale Minn. Deceased was a young man of fine character and highly thought of by all who knew him and the young wife wither two little ones have the sympathy of a large circle of friends. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church, and also was member of the Modern Woodmen carring a policy for 52,000. On account of the contagious nature of the disease no public Funeral service was held and the remains were buried Saturday morning in the cemetery at Horton.

Contributed by Claudia Groh

The ranks of the Grand Army of the Republic are again thinned by the death of an honored member, Dyer F. Hall, who passed away at his home one mile northeast of town at 6 o'clock Tuesday morning Oct. 18. Death was due to arterio sclerosis; which is a hardening of the muscles of the heart and the arteries. It was the fore part of last March when the deceased realized that all was not right with him and that he needed the services of a physician. However medical skill could only delay the end, which was sure to come sooner or later. His age was 66 years, 8 months, and 14 days.

Dyer F Hall was born Feb. 4, 1844 at Brasher N. Y., and came with his parents to Iowa when he was 10 years old. He was married in 1865 to Miss Emma Barber. The young couple lived for one year in Luana, coming thence to Nashua, which place was his home up until the time of his death. At the breaking out of the ware he enlisted in Co. G, 27th Iowa Infantry, which went out from this county, and served during the war with honor to himself, and to his country. He was the father of six children of whom three died during a scourge of diphtheria during the year of 1879, as follows: Walter, Nov. 20, Clara May, Nov. 22, and Ida Luella, Nov. 24. Another daughter, LuLu, died April 26, 1899. Besides the wife two children, Clarence and Martha are left to mourn.

The funeral is to be held from the home at 10:30 Friday morning, Rev. Kirwin officiating, and the interment will be in Oak Hill cemetery.

Contributed by Claudia Groh

Contributed by Claudia Groh

Quite a number of interesting sketches of the lives of early settlers of Chickasaw county have been sent in, in answer to the request published in the Reporter of March 22. Here is one of them: Edward C. Hall was born in northeastern New York Nov. 2 1815. He grew into manhood there, and was married to Samantha Cross in 1841. Two children were born to them, Zelia Hall Noble and Edward Van Rensselaer Hall. The family came to Iowa in 1852 and located first at Monona. On July 4, 1855 they came to Nashua, which at the time was called Woodbridge. It had been named for the family of the late M.L. Woodbridge. Mr. Hall built, near the site of the present library, the first frame house erected in the town. Other structures were log houses and shanties. A few years later the house was moved to a farm in Riverton town ship and remained the family home until his death in 1894. His wife followed in 1900. He was a member of the Methodist Church from boyhood. During the residence in Nashua, Mrs. Hall united With a small group to organized the church at Bradford in November, 1855. This became “The Little Brown Church in the Vale.” In later years she became the charter member of the Congregational church in Nashua. Both children are deceased. This sketch was submitted by Mrs. C. M. Freeburg, and grand daughter of Mr. Hall. She says the information was taken from Obituaries and from the record in the family Bible which is in her possession. Have you sent in your pioneer family record? If you had relatives who settled here before 1875, we would like to have a short sketch of there life, with dates and birth, marriages, and death and list of children, where they came from and when. Write to it similar to the one printed above. The campaign to collect these sketches, as the interesting supplement to the history of Iowa, is being made by D.A.R. These may be addressed either to the Historical Editor in the care of the Reporter, or to Mrs. P. E. Stuart, Nashua, Iowa chairman of the campaign in Chickasaw county. Each week we shall publish one of these sketches which we believe will be interesting to our readers. Look up your family records, maybe you can send a sketch. It will cost you nothing but a little time and a stamp, and it may be valuable addition to the history of our state.

Contributed by Claudia Groh

E.V.R. Hall passed away at his home in the city Tuesday morning at 5:45 o'clock, after an illness of several weeks. Mr. Hall was taken quite sick about six weeks ago with asthma and heart trouble, which was followed a week later by a stroke of paralysis. From that time he never recovered sufficiently as to be able to recognize his family and friends for more that a moment at a time, until the end came. E.V. R. Hall was born in the town of Brasher St. Lawrence county N.Y. in November 1847. At the age of seven he came with his parents to Nashua Iowa, settling in town, which at that time did not contain even one frame house. Four years late he moved with is parents upon the old Homestead west of town where he lived continuously for 42 years, when He again moved to town, where he lived until death claimed him. On The 14th of November, 1868 he was married to Miss Clarinda Butler. His death is mourned by a wife, and four children, Edward D., A. H. Pickard, Mrs. C. M. Freeburg, of Nashua and George of Charles City. The deceased was one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Nashua. He was quiet, unpretentious man, and a good citizen in every sense of the word. The funeral will be held at the residence at 10 o'clock today, Rev. Smith officiating, and the remains will be laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery.

Contributed by Claudia Groh

Died at Mitchell, Iowa, on Tuesday morning, aged 71 years, of lung troubles. Mr. Hall was one of the early settlers of this place. He came here from St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., and lived here from 1855 until 1878. Funeral services were held at Mitchell yesterday. The remains were brought to this place on yesterday afternoon's train, and buried at Oak Hill. He was the father of our townsman, Dyer F. Hall. The other children are Enoch W., Hollis, Darwin, Ace, Belle, and Allen, all living at Mitchell. His wife also survives him.
(Contributor Note: Wife: Mary Polly Hall nee Wait, Son: Ace name should be spelled Asa D. Hall, Son: Darwin is Darwin R Hall

Contributed by Claudia Groh

Died. – At her home in Brooklyn, on Wednesday, at 3:10 p.m., Miss Lula Hall,
aged 18 years, 7 months and 18 days.

Miss Lula, the eldest daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Dyre Hall was born in Nashua in 1880 and has resided here ever since. She was a young lady with a beautiful disposition, friendly to all and dearly loved by her associates. With her classmates at school she was a genuine favorite, and always ready and willing to do them an act of kindness. They will miss her when they graduate in June, as she was a member of the class. Miss Lulu was a member of the '89 class and would have graduated with them last June, and was looking forward to commencement with joyful anticipation, but sickness a year ago prevented her from fulfilling her desire, and she overcame her disappointment and dropped back to the class of '99 and applied herself to her studies with renewed energy, determined to go forth from the high school this year with honor to herself and to her class. But Providence had other plans for her and her commencement will be on the other side of Jordan. She was taken sick on April 16, with an abscess which caused a rupture. She was given all the care and attention that loving ones could think of, but they could not alleviate her sufferings. Wednesday it was decided that an operation must be performed. That was the only hope – although a forlorn one – of saving her life, and it was performed yesterday morning, but it was of no avail as she survived it but a few hours.

To the grief-stricken parents and brother and sister goes out the sympathy of the whole community. The funeral will take place at the home tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, Rev. Barrett officiating, and the remains will be interred in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Contributed by Misti Adams, 2007

Contributed by Claudia Groh

Contributed by Claudia Groh

Mary Hammond Taken at 88

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday for Mrs. Mary (Lee) Hammond, 88, who died September 8 in a Charles City care facility.

The Rev. Robert Lemmermann conducted the service from the Chenoweth Funeral Home, and burial was in Oak Hill cemetery. Casketbearers were Farrold Zimmerman, George Hansen, Bert Bigelow, Carl Weiss, Giles Springer and Eugene Johnson.

Mary Schultz Hammond was born January 30, 1888, in Bradford Township, Chickasaw county, the daughter of Anton and Mary Molzoff Schult.

She spent most of her life in Bradford Township. In 1914 she, with her husband and children, moved to the farm home south of town where she resided more than 60 years. After suffering a stroke in September of 1974, she became a resident of the Chautauqua Home in Charles City, where she died September 8, 1976.

She was united in marriage to Simon Lee Hammond, to whom were born three children: Gale, Ethel (Mrs. Dale Fritcher), and Ruby (Mrs. Perry Ferguson), all of Nashua.

She is survived by her children; three grandchildren, John Hammond of St. Ansgar, Dean Hammond of Nashua and Jean (Mrs. Jay Heady) of Mount Vernon; five great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Also surviving are two sisters and five brothers, Katherine (Mrs. Herman Etter) of New Hampton, Julia (Mrs. Will Vesperman) of Lancaster, Wi., Anton, Waukesha, Wi., Joseph of Jesup, Alexander of Nashua and Oddy and Howard of Fennimore, Wi.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and her husband.

She was a quiet, reserved person who had a deep love for, and understanding of her family, for whom she took great pride in making a good home.

Contributed by Misti Adams

Contributed by Claudia Groh

Contributed by Claudia Groh

John W Hicks, who has been in ill health for the past few years, died quite suddenly Monday morning after an illness of three days, at his home ten miles east of Nashua. Mr. Hicks was born in Ireland, Nov. 15, 1860, and came to America in 1880, settling in New York City. From there he went to DeKalb, Ill, where he lived with his uncle, James Lattimer. In 1883 he came to Bremer county, Iowa, to make his home with an uncle, Wm. Campbell. He was married to Miss Lillian Leaman, March 27, 1884,and for over forty years has lived upon the farm where he died. He is survived by his widow, and five children. Mrs. Maggie Shattuck, Blackshear, Ga., Mrs. Bartlett Peterson, Mrs. Dorothy Callender, McKinley Hicks, and Mae, of Nashua. The funeral will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Federated church at Republic.

Again death has entered into our human relationship and called into Eternity a fellow traveler. The departed John William Hicks was born Nov. 15, 1860, at Coothill, Ireland, County of Cavern [Cavan] and departed this life July 21, 1930. Age was 69 years 8 months and 6 days. As a young man of 18 years he came to this country and located in Illinois and then came to Iowa in the fall of 1883. In 1884 he was united with Lillie Leaman in Holy Matrimony and the young couple moved on a farm near Republic, which has been their home ever since. This union was blessed with seven children, five are living, and two are dead. The children are Margaret, Mrs. W.M. Stattuck of Black Shear, Ga.; Sarah, Mrs. B.E. Peterson, of Nashua; Mae at home; Dorothy, Mrs. J.C. Kellner of Ionia; Mckinley Hicks of Tripoli. In youth he was united with the Episcopalian church and was active in various community affairs until his last years when his health began to fail. He was a member of the Woodman Lodge at Republic. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, always desirous to have his children near him. He was a good neighbor and friend. He leaves his companion, five children, 11 grandchildren, five brothers and a sister.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath of The Irish of Iowa

Joseph T. Hildahl, 68, of New Hampton, died Saturday, May 28, 2005, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. Funeral services will be 10:30 am Wednesday, June 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton with Reverend Kevin Frey and Reverend Gene Hermeier officiating. Burial will be in the New Hampton Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 pm Tuesday at Conway-Kolbet Funeral Home in New Hampton and an hour prior to services at the church. Joseph Theodore Hildahl was born June 6, 1936, in rural Elma, IA, the son of Alfred & Cora (Johnson) Hildahl. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Saude and attended country school in Howard County. On June 18, 1961, Joe was united in marriage to Janis Dahlen at Crane Creek Lutheran Church. Following their marriage the couple lived in many places in the Jerico area until moving to New Hampton in 1987. Through the years Joe had worked at White Farm Equipment in Charles City and various job in New Hampton most recently maintenance at Klunder’s Kafe in New Hampton. Joe was also a faithful carrier for the Waterloo Courier for 17 years. He enjoyed playing cards, visiting and going to family gatherings. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. Joe is survived by his son John of New Hampton; 4 brothers Casper Hildahl of New Hampton, Stanley Hildahl of Peyton, CO, Arlo Hildahl of Marshalltown, and Alton Hildahl of Spring Lake, NC; 2 sisters Rose Marie Feenstra of Cresco and Janice Salazar of Hereford, TX; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents amd his wife Janis on April 11, 2003.

See Joseph Theodore Hildahl Pedigree Chart

Contributed by Jim Johnson

Funeral services for Al Hill, 76, who died last Friday, Dec. 26, at the hospital in Postville, Iowa, following an extended illness, were held here Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Hill, who was a native of Old Bradford, was a lifetime resident of the Nashua community. The funeral, held at the Chenoweth Funeral Home, was conducted by Rev. F. L. Hanscom, pastor of the Little Brown Church. Solos were sung by Miss Margaret Taylor, accompanied on the pian (sic) by Mrs. Earl Chenoweth. Burial was made in Oak Hill cemetery. Pallbearers were: R. D. Staley, Dr. E. S. Taylor, G. E. Ellison, John Donovan, E. L. Paschke and J. F. Nafus. The obituary read at the funeral service follows: Albert Edward Hill, only son of Alexander and Mary Vanwert Hill, was born August 31, 1865 at Bradford, Iowa. His two sisters preceded him in death some years ago.

His early education was obtained at Bradford Academy. In Feb. 1885, he was married to Effie Hinman, who passed away in Jan. 1934. To them five children were born, four of whom died in early childhood. "Al", as he was known to all home folks, spent his entire life in this community. In his earlier years, he was a buyer of fancy horses for the eastern markets, shipping as many as 25 carloads a season. For the past 25 years he has been a licensed real estate dealer in Nashua. Following a cerebral hemorrhage, suffered in January 1940, he has been a patient for the last two years. Always hopeful of recovery, he relinquished life on Dec. 26, 1941, only after a hard fought struggle. He is survived by one son, Louis L. Hill and one grandson, Louis Hill, Jr. both of Postville, Iowa.

Contributed by Claudia Groh
Transcribed by Mike Peterson

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gates and family and his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Gates, attended funeral services Saturday at Reid's Funeral Home at Marble Rock for Leon Hillman, 77, an uncle of Mrs. Charles Gates. Mr. Hillman lived alone on the farm where he was born and had spent his entire life. He never married.

Guests of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Fisk the 4th included Mr. and Mrs. Maynard Burnham and sons of Renton, Wash.; Mr. and Mrs. John Strenge and sons of Buterfield, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Fisk of Mt. Lake, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. V. A. Fisk of Taopi; Mr. and Mrs. Loren Fisk and sons of Minneapolis; and Mr. and Mrs. Roy Anderson of Dexter, Minn.

Contributed by Claudia Groh

Contributed by Sheryl McClure

Contributed by Claudia Groh

MRS. ALBERT E. HILL IS SUMMONED BY DEATH
Stricken Suddenly While Returning Home Wednesday Night
--Funeral Held Saturday

The community was shocked Thursday morning to hear of the sudden death Wednesday night of Mrs. Albert E. Hill. She was returning home from a pleasant evening at the home of Mrs. Geo. Robinson, and shortly after parting homeward ways with Mrs. Fred Dickman she was stricken with a heart attack. She was able to make her way to the door of the Methodist parsonage, where Rev. and Mrs. Lusted did what they could for her, and called a physician. Unable to withstand the attack she passed away a few minutes after the doctor arrived. Mrs. Hill had suffered a couple of very light heart attacks during the day but she had not thought her condition serious. Mr. Hill was called from his home and arrived at the parsonage just before his wife passed away.

Funeral services were conducted at the home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Rev. Geo. C. Lusted officiating. Miss Margaret Taylor sang, "No Night There." Burial was in Oak Hill cemetery and pallbearers were Roy Nafus, A. L. Kout, E. H. Paschke, Dr. E. S. Taylor, A. H. Meier and Fred Dickman.

Effie Hinman was born in Nashua, Iowa, February 17, 1867. Here she spent her entire life--those carefree childhood days, her school days, the days of happiness mixed with the sorrows of her mature life. Her life was an open book to this community.

On October 3, 1885 she was united in marriage with Albert E. Hill. To them five children were born, four of whom died in infancy.

Mrs. Hill has always been an active and earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church. Her religion was a vital part of her life.

Her home and family were of extreme importance to her. In them her life was centered.

On the evening of Wednesday, January 24th, while on her was (sic) home from a pleasant evening with friends, she was suddenly stricken with a heart attack and in a very few moments life in this world was over for her.

Mrs. Hill is survived by her husband and her son, Louis L. Hill and one grandson, Louis, Jr., the latter two being residents of Postville, Iowa.

"I feel them in the Heavens above
The angels whispering to one another
Can find among their burning terms of love
None so devotional as that of mother."

THE WATCHER

She always leaned to watch for us
Anxious if we were late.
In winter by the window,
In summer by the gate;
And though we mocked her tenderly,
Who had such foolish care,
The long way home would seem more safe
Because she waited there
Her thoughts were all so full of us
She never could forget.
And so I think that where she is
She must be watching yet.
Waiting till we come home to her,
Anxious if we are late.
Watching from Heaven's window,
Leaning from Heaven's gate.

Contributed by Mike Peterson

Click Here For Article
Surnames: Hinmon, Bennor, Boice, Hodgkin, Moine, Walton, Edson, Wayne, Eckenrod, Dickman, Caswell, Lathrop, McGovern, Ogan, Smith, Bruck, Sutherland, Harley, Baker, McKenzie, Annis

Died, Oct. 16, 1892, at his home in Golden City, Mo., R. C. Horton, age 76 years. Deceased was a brother of D. J. Horton, and he was one of the early pioneers of this county having settled in this township in 1852.

Contributed by Claudia Groh, Transcribed by Mike Peterson

H. H. Houghmaster Dead

Died, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas, of Perry, Iowa on Tuesday, January 17, 1899, H. H. Houghmaster, age 69 years. The remains were brought to Nashua, Wednesday night; the funeral services took place Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Bradford church, Rev. W. B. Davis officiating. The interment took place at Greenwood.

H. H. Houghmaster was born at Martinsburg, New York in 1820. In 1837 he was married, and during the long years of a happy life the bride of his youth trod the pathway of life by his side, and remains today, with the best years of her life behind her, but with the memory of a pleasant companionship to cheer her in the years that still remain.

In 1886 Mr. Houghmaster came west and the past twenty-two years have been spent in Chickasaw county. Two children remain to comfort the aged and sad hearted mother upon whom the blow falls most heavily.

For the past 4 months Mr. Houghmaster has been ailing and when he found that the ordinary remedies did not seem to reach that part of his disease he went to a physician and submitted to an examination. This was only a few weeks ago, and when the physician pronounced his malady cancer of the stomach, the ??? will which had always characterized this ragged life, seemed to weaken, and he never railed entirely from the shock occasioned by the knowledge of his affliction. The thought that a cancer was sapping his life away seemed to completely unnerve him although he bore up cheerfully for the sake of those about him. As quickly as possible he disposed of his personal property, settled up his affairs, and moved with his wife to Perry, Iowa to reside with their daughter, Mrs. Thomas.

It was useless to combat the progress of the disease, which had fastened itself upon him, and he continued to grow worse. His malady did not cause him intense pain, but the lost strength and spirit rapidly and the end came suddenly on Tuesday of this week.

The news of Mr. Houghmaster’s death though not unexpected here, brought with it keen regret, and the general feeling was that in his death we had lost an excellent citizen whose upright, honorable, manly life had left the impression of its true worth upon the community in which he had resided so many years. The deceased was a plainspoken, rugged man, full of energy, and possessed of that rare quality of honor that made his word as realizable as his note. He was positive in his nature and pronounced in his views. It was unnecessary to ask him politics, for everybody who knew him at all knew that he was an uncompromising Democrat. As he was in politics, so he was in everything else. He had his views on all questions that came under his notice and his friends never had to ask twice to find out just where he stood. He enjoyed the high esteem of his neighbors and friends, and in his family he was a dearly beloved husband and father. He was well known throughout the county and the news of his death will elicit the expression of may a regret.

Contributed by Misti Adams

Suicide, Accident, and Sickness

Sunday noon “Rube” Huffman deliberately placed his shotgun against the wall, with the muzzle over his heart, then leaning his weight upon the gun, pulled the trigger, sending his soul to eternity in the twinkling of the eye.

It has been quite noticeable for some time that something was preying on his mind – in fact he consulted a physician quite recently, stating that he suffered great pain in his head and sometimes his back, and had ever since having trouble with a girl with whom he had kept company. The physician prescribed for him, but not until the morning of the day he shot himself did he take a dose of the medicine. The facts as near as the writer is able to gather them is as follows: Shortly before 12 “Rube” went up stairs to a kind of store room, took some carpet rags and gunny sacks and placed them so his body would fall upon them. His album lay beside him, and the last object his eyes gazed upon in this life was the photographed face of the girl whom he loved better than life, as his subsequent act proved. Beside the album was the following note: “Friends: As I live I die. I am a man that loved them that loved me. My aim in life was to do good and not evil. Goodbye.” The family did not remember the report of the gun but now remember of hearing a muffled thud, probably the body as it fell. Shortly after his brother Charlie went up to this room to get a file and found his brother’s body weltering in his own blood but life was extinct. Unrequited love was the immediate cause for his rash act, aggravated by the imprudent actions of others whom he loved dearly. Yet the young lady is blameless, and could “Rube” have governed his temper and love of worldly pursuits and held himself up to her moral standard without getting angry, all would probably have gone well.

Reuben Huffman was born in old Chickasaw, April 6, 1873, and was therefore 25 years, 9 months, and 6 days old at the time of his death. He was the sixth son of Mr. and Mrs. Josephas Huffman, who lived one mile south and one mile east of Chickasaw. He has lived here all his life and was really the most cheerful and lively of the boys, with a smile always on his face and a jovial remark for all. He was the last one a person would expect to hasten his end. Yet “life was too many for him.” He leaves a father, mother, six brothers, and one sister, besides many other relatives and friends to mourn his untimely death.

The funeral occurred from the Congregational Church at Ionia. Monday at 10:30 a.m., Rev. McClary officiating, and his remains were followed to their last resting place in the Chickasaw cemetery by one of the largest concourses of people that ever wended its mournful way to this city of the dead. The writing of these lines has caused me many bitter tears, as the object of this sad write-up was once a much loved pupil, and in infancy I can still see him as he sat in the old school room at Chickasaw 17 years ago, with his round, rosy face bent over his desk and his little, chubby hands, clasping his book, and whenever I asked him a question his replies were prompt, and many are the droll questions he had propounded to me, waiting with sparkling eyes for my answer. – Mrs. C. H. Dillenbeck.

Contributed by Misti Adams

Mrs. Hutton, who has been a resident of Nashua for a number of years, died at the home of Mrs. Caroline Hennagir, Saturday afternoon, at about half past twelve. Mrs. Hutton was sick but a couple of days, her death being due to old age. The deceased was born in Ireland about eighty years ago and came to America when a young woman. She is survived by one daughter, whose whereabouts are unknown. She is also survived by a sister, Mrs. Margaret Dunn, who lives west of Nashua. The deceased had lived around here a number of years, and had worked hard to secure the necessities of life. Her life was rather a cheerless one as she had lived alone for years. She was a good woman and was honest in the extreme. The funeral was held at the home in which she passed away, at 11 o'clock Monday morning, Rev. Sinden officiating, and the burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath of The Irish of Iowa