West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
GALENTINE GATTON

Galentine Gatton was born in Maryland in 1799. About 1812 his parents emigrated to Ohio when the state was mostly a vast wilderness, and settled near Bellville in Richland County. There he married Sarah Hendrickson. In the summer of 1837, they started west with their little family, and traveled across the prairies in covered wagons to Iowaland. Here he and his brother-in-law, Samuel Hendrickson, stalked out adjoining claims in what was then known as the Black Hawk Purchase. The original Galentine claim is northeast of West Liberty, along the east bank of the Wapsinonoc Creek, lying between the old stage road and the Cedar county line. Later they bought this land for $ 1.25 an acre.

If the Indians begged for food, they gave it to them. When an Indian chief asked permission for his squaw and papoose to spread their blankets on the floor and spend the night, they were not refused. Sometimes the Indians would steal and one night as they were making away with a blanket full of melons, Gatton's black dog chased and barked at them till they dropped the melons and fled in terror. The Indians were anxious to get rid of that dog and tried to trade for him, but, of course, Gatton refused to give up his dog.

Galentine Gatton had eight children, seven by his first wife and one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, by his second wife, who was Mary Carothers. Of the older children two daughters died when young. He was a successful farmer and at the time of their marriages gave to each of his children a farm. He owned the first carriage to be used around here.

In 1852, the two eldest sons, William and Samuel, struck the Oregon Trail to become pioneers of Portland, Oregon. At the time of his death William was 93 and Samuel was 102. The other children, Isaac, James, Sarah, Ann and Mary Elizabeth, married and made their homes in this vicinity. Besides his own children, he took two nephews into his home and cared for them until they were old enough to look after themselves.

Galentine Gatton died Sept. 19, 1881, at the age of 82 and is buried in the Oakridge Cemetery.

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