Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1897-04-22
The H,r.. Settler Gone.

home In Extra township, where b.
resided since 1851, from paralysis, o.
Saturday, April II, at the advanced ag'
Of "a years.
1t is traditional that his great grand
father, whose name he had forgotten
came from England, and settled in New
Jersey; where he had four sons, Nathan.
lei, John, Richard and James. The son
John Hamlin, was born in Huntington
New Jersey, July 2, 1853; he served
through the revolution, and afterward
removed to Washington county, Penn
sylvania, thence down the Ohio river Ia
the salt works near the present town OF
Vanceburg, in Lewis county, Kentucky
He married widow lady named Lard
by whom he had children, William and
Ellen.
William Hamlin, son of John and the
father of Uncle Natty," was born in
New Jersey, and removed with his father
to Kentucky. During the war of 1872
he served in Captain Stewards company
under Col. Richard johnson. in the COM
mand of Gen. Shelby, of kentucky, and
participated in the battle OF the Thames
in Canada, Oct. 5, 1918, where he wit
messed the killing Of the Indian chief,
Tecumseh. Mr.. Hamlin related to the
writer that he had often heard his father
describe his service. When men were
called for in Kentucky for service in tho
war of 1912, William Hamlin and his
half brother James, son of his mother by
the former marriage, joined the troops
Of Gen. Shelby to go up into the Lake
Erie country; the father, John Hamlin,
who was an old campaigner, said he
would go along to take care OF the boys.
These troops were mounted. In the bat
tie of the Thames, Col. johnson led his
men to attack the Indian allies and was
resisted by Tecumseh and his followers.
A personal combat occurred between
Col. johnson and Tecumseh, in which
the former was wounded. James john
son, an officer in the regiment, seeing
that his brother was shot rushed into
the fight and shot Tecumseh. William
Hamlin related that he was present and
witnessed the fight and secured the
head dress and pipe OF Tecumseh.
On this campaign John Hamlin fell
sick and his sons conveyed him home ON
horse litter. His illness required so
much of the attention of the young men
that their personal effects were neglect
ed and the trophies were lost.
William Hamlin married Mary Smith
and lived in Lewis county, Ky, whore
they reared family and where he died
November 18th, 1897. His widow came
to this county and resided with "Uncle
Natty" and died at the great age of over
100 years. Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Glas-
gov, sisters, and William p. Hamlin, a
brother of "Uncle Natty" formerly lived
in this county.
After the death of his father the sub
ject of this sketch went to Homer, Hi
nois and on April 8, 1910, married Miss
Margaret Poage, who survives him. In
the fall of the year 1874 they removed
to Sand Ridge near Trenton. Henry
county, Iowa, and the following spring
to the extreme northwest part of Ma
haska county, where he bought his first
farm of 120 acres.
Early in 1851, with his brother James,
and others, they went to seek new homes
in the west part of the state; and visited
Coucil Bluffs, and then went up the
Missouri river. Not finding desirable
location they turned homeward, and
reached what is now called Troublesome
CT eek, a short distance above it's mouth,
and followed the stream up to the spot
where Mr.. Hamlin has since so long re-
sided This was in the latter part of
March He staked off his claim which
was the first act towards the actual set
Element of Audubon county. There
he resolved to make his future home,
and fortune; and to reside the remainder
of his life. There was not then white
settler within twenty miles. He hasten
ed to Mahaska county and made prepa-
rations for moving. Taking his eldest
daughter, Mary, ten years OF age, and
leavingtae family!behind;with seven yoke
of oxen, wagon and implements for
work. started for his claim amongst the
wild animals and wilder men. He was
accompanied by his brother William
and Arthur Decker, without their fami.
lies On the way they were joined by
John S. Jenkins and his family. On
May 6, 1851, the little band of settlers
with stout hearts and willing hands
with bright future before them reach.
ed the claim of Mr. Hamlin, and the per-
manent settlement of Audubon county
was accomplished. He at once set to
work to build log cabin near the site
Of the dwelling where he since lived so
many years, and then with the assist
ance Of Mary to drive the team he
broke out AZ acres of land, which was
planted in sod corn, amongst which were
soWed seven acres OF buckwheat, and
some turnips. Some pototatoes were
also planted. Then he returned for his
family. and on September 18th they ar
rived at the new home. The season had
been favorable and bountiful crop was
secured.
In 1852 the mail route from Fort Des
Moines to Council Bluffs with postof
flee at ''Hamlin's Grove" was estab-
lshed thus turning the travel to
Pixies Peak and the west to his
very door. He was appointed by
President Taylor as postmaster and ser
we'd until 1861. On the organization OF
the county he was elected the first
county treasurer and recorder, both Of.
fees being then held by one person, and
served until 1864.
He was prosperous man, and for
many years one of the most prominent
and influential citizens. His location on
the main route OF travel across the state,
conducted by the Western Stage Co.,
l.: ln al, Of no