Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-09-20
HAMLN AT REST
Wife Of Audubon County's First
Settler Passed Away Thursday,
September 13

when she was two years old her
parents removed to Vermillion
county, Ill. Nathaniel and Marga-
ret Hamlin were the parents of
twelve children-Mary NJ, wife of
Isaac Thomas; Hannah M, wife of
C. c. Hawk; Sarah r., wife of B. F.
Thomas; Malinda c., wife of Will
lam Radcliff; William Allen mar
ried Florence A. Lewis; Martha j.,
wife of Els. Calph; Eliza (deceased);
Susan p, wife of John v. Plantz;
Clarinda H., wife of John NJ. Allen;
Nathaniel D., married Elva Crane;
Fernando b., married Emma E.
killworth; Robert E., married Sarah
Wheeler.
Mrs. Hamlin's grandfather, Rob
ert Poage, was native of Scotland,
and her grandmother, Rebecca
Poage, was born in Ireland. After
their marriage, Nov. 8, 1910, Mr.. and
Mrs. Hamliu settled in Vermillion
county, ILL.,, and there resided until
1874. They then removed to Mahas-
ka county, Iowa, and lived there
seven years.
September 10, 1851, they became
the first actual settlers in Audubon
county. Mr.. Haml;n first entered
16O acres of land, selecting that on
the waters of Troublesome creek, in
section As, Extra township, which
is skirted by beautiful natural
grove. To the south stretches a
rich and fertile prairie, making an
ideal farm land. Here the pioneers
settled and planned their future
home. Their fret house was a
double log cabin of two rooms, but
these two rooms had the capacity
of accommodating good many
persons. This house was for many
years the travellers home, and num-
bers of people today remember the
generous hospitality extended by
the worthy host and his faithful
wife. The first barn was erected
the following fall. 1t and a corn
crib, erected at the same time, still
stand as monuments to those early
times. Mr.. Hamlin went to work in
earnest, broke out part of his new
farm, and proceeded to place it un
der cultivation. He found a ready
market for most of his produce, es-
pecially corn, among the emigrants
who were journeying still further
westword During the years when
the tide was at it's height, often for
ty or fifty teams would camp in his
grove on account of the high wat.
ers of Troubleson creek. Mr.. Ham.
lin was elected the fret county
treasurer, an office he held for eight
years. During part of that time
he acted as recorder. He was first
postmaster appointed at Hamlin's
Grove postoffice, and held the posi-
tion until the election of Abraham
Lincoln. Mr.. Hamlin built the first
schoolhouse in the county, and he
and one of his neighbors furnished
eleven children and paid the teach
er. Judge D. M. Harris, now of the
" Missouri Valley Times" held the
first court of the county in this
same schoolhouse.
On April II, 1897, Mr.. Hamlin died
and after residing for about two
years upon the homestead, his wild
ow moved to Extra where she could
be near her children, purchased a
residence property, which was de-
stroyed by fire, and she built new
one upon the same site; here she
resided until her death on Thurs
day, September 13, 1905. Last fall
Grandma had severe i'll spell, but
recovered and her relatives and
friends hoped that she might be
spared for many years to come; but
last March she was again attacked
by disease from which she was a
great sufferer until the final sum-
mons came and her spirit passed
beyond the grave to her home on
high. Grandma had a kind word
for everyone and was greatly be-
loved by all the people in the south
part of the county.
She was a member of Exodus
Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star,
at Extra, and the members of that
order brought beautiful flowers as
tokens of their love. as did many
others, and the beautiful casket
was veritable bower of roses, car
nations and lillies.
The following gentlemen, who are
the oldest settlers in this vicinity,
acted as honorary pail bearers: I.
P. Hallock and John T. Jenkins, of
Bravton; Charles Van Gorder and
u. E. Soar, of Audubon; Bryan.
Milliman and P. 1. Whitted, of Ex-
ira. The active pail bearers were
sons of old settlers in the county,
and were Messrs William Thielen.
Sam McGaffin, Boy Herrick, Hugh
Bowen, Nate Turner, Boy Beers.
About ten years ago Mrs. Hamlin
confessed her faith in the Savior
and united with the Christian
church in meeting held by Evan
gelist Charles Lockhart, of Des
Moines. and ever since continued to
be an earnest, steadfast, devoted
follower of the Master.
Having been in falling health for
some time about six months ago
she was seized with serious illness
and compelled to take her bed. Ev-
erything was done for her that af.
fection and medical skill could sug-
gest, but gradually she grew weak
er and weaker until at length death
came to relieve her of her suffer
ings. Besides her ten children. she
leaves sixtythree grandchildren
sixty-four great-grandchildren and
a host of friends to mourn her loss
We know not how to say the word
Good bye"
We know not how to leave thee at