Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 797
HUGH R. COULTHARD

Farmers are no longer content to plow and sow and reap. Recent high prices brought on a flood of prosperity such as has never been known in this country and many farmers have become extremely wealthy as a consequence of good management and the high prices of farm products. As farmers have become wealthy they have been able to enjoy more leisure; and as they have enjoyed leisure they have spent those moments in discussing questions of general public interest. As farmers have acquired wealth they have been able to surround themselves with every modern convenience, all of the comforts and most of the luxuries which the people in the cities enjoy. Hugh R. COULTHARD is one of the most progressive farmers of Harrison county, Iowa.

Hugh R. COULTHARD was born on June 26, 1864, in Middlesex county, Ontario, Canada, the son of Robert L. and Jane (EDDIE) COULTHARD, natives of Dumfries and Inverness, Scotland, respectively. His father was born on August 15, 1812, and his mother in June, 1820. Robert L. COULTHARD came to the United States in 1824 with his parents.

Hugh R. COULTHARD came to Harrison county in 1877 with his parents. He received a common-school education in Canada before coming to this country, he having had to walk three miles to school in Ontario. After coming to Harrison county he had to walk a mile and a half to school. He lived at home until he was married, after which he bought one hundred and fifty acres of land in Cincinnati township. He made his home in California Junction, his land adjoining that town. He has since added to his holdings and now owns two hundred and forty acres, a store building in California Junction and other property. He likewise owns one thousand acres of land in Alberta, Canada, and four hundred acres in Montana, the latter being irrigated land.

On February 25, 1891, Mr. COULTHARD was married to Elizabeth L. SMITH, who was born on April 1, 1872, in Cincinnati township, Harrison county, the daughter of W. A. and Emma L. (HOAG) Smith, who were natives of New York, coming to Harrison county from that state. Mr. Smith is one of Harrison county's largest land owners and a member of one of the oldest and most highly respected families.

Mr. and Mrs. COULTHARD have six children, Robert Ross, Vern R., W. Ivan, Juanita, Angerita and Leah. Robert R., born on December 14, 1891, married Hazel Smith and lives on the old J. S. Fountain farm in Cincinnati township. Vern R., born on January 24, 1898, is a student in Ames University, Ames, Iowa. W. Ivan, born on December 17, 1898, is a student in the high school at California Junction. Juanita and Angerita (twins), born in 1900, and Leah A., born in 1911, are still at home.

The parents of Hugh R. COULTHARD came to the United States about 1824, both families locating in New York. They lived there until they were married and then moved to New Brunswick. They lived there only a short time and then moved to Ontario, where they cleared up a farm and lived until 1877 when they came to Harrison county, the father previously, in 1858, having come to Harrison county, where he bought two hundred and forty acres of land in Cincinnati township. Following that transaction he went back to Ontario where he lived until in may, 1877. It was at this latter date that the subject of this sketch came to Harrison county.

In 1903 Hugh R. COULTHARD helped to organize the California Grain and Lumber Company, of California Junction, and has had charge of the business since that time. Mr. COULTHARD also engages in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of thoroughbred Duroc-Jersey hogs and Hereford cattle. He annually feeds about one hundred and thirty head of hogs and about one carload of cattle.

Mr. COULTHARD is an active Democrat and has served as school treasurer for twenty years. He and his family are active and devoted members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. COULTHARD is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of the blue lodge at Modale, the chapter at Missouri Valley, the commandery at Council Bluffs, the Shrine at Sioux City and the Scottish rite at Des Moines. Mr. COULTHARD and his wife are members of the Eastern Star and their son Robert is also a Mason. Mr. COULTHARD and family enjoy the esteem of a large circle of acquaintances in Harrison county, a distinction which they deserve because of their many good works.

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