Larry Anderson - Families and Individuals

Notes


John HIATT Jr.

There is a record that John may have been named Elisha John Hiatt. Copy of Ira Shain papers.  Illinois Historical Society's Journal.

   John was the second son of Jesse and Polly Proctor, B. in Ky and emmigrated to Andrew Co. Mo. with parents around 1808 where a brother James L. Hiatt was born.  They left Mo. before 1813 as they were in what become White CO. Ill. where Jesse Joined the Peoria Vol. for the War of 1812.

    Family moved to Peoria Co. sometime around 1832 where Jesse appears on land records.  John appears restless, with his brothers they travel freely between Ill. and Mo. where there uncles and grandfather are, Clay Co. by 1818.  By 1851 John assists his parents in a move to Freemont Co. Iowa, Sidney.  He becomes a large land owner and prominant in that area.  He may also have been with his uncles and other family members when they went to the gold fields of No. Calif.  There the family is said to have found a gold strike that sold for $30,000.  Some of this family later went on to Colo. for the Gold strikes in 1859 where they were the founder of Golden Colo. and Estes Park.

   John Hiatt Jr. was also a minister of the Gospel.
   Sent by Margaret Barber and Leland Smith
   Died at 81 yrs 3 mon 23 days

   Family found in the 1850 Census of Missouri, Andrews County. Page 245 Line 16 John age 42, farmer born in Ky., Susannah age 33 born in Ky., David age 19 born in Ill., Susan 17 born in Ill., Moses 16 born in Ill., Jesse 12 born in Ill. Nicholas 09 born in Ill., Reuben Hiatt age 7 born in Ill., Joseph age 4 born in Ill., John Rodamel age 7 born in Ill.
   Found in the 1840 census of Coperas Pct. Peoria Co., Ill.
   Found in 1850 census of Andrew Co.,Mo.

1850 United States Federal Census   about John Hiatt
Name: John Hiatt
Age: 42
Birth Year: abt 1808
Birthplace: Kentucky
Home in 1850: Jackson, Andrew, Missouri
Gender: Male
Family Number: 1245
Household Members: Name Age
John Hiatt 42
Susannah Hiatt 33
David Hiatt 19
Susan Hiatt 17
Moses Hiatt 14
Jesse Hiatt 12
Nicholas Hia> 9
Lucy Rodamer 9
Reuben Hiatt 7
Joseph Hiatt 4
John Bodamer 7

   1860 census, production of Agriculture, shows John Hiatt with 36 acres
improved land, 54 unimproved, cash value of land $1200; value of machinery $75; 4 horses, 2 milch cows, 2 swine, livestock valued at $400; 113 bus. wheat, 1200 bus. Indiana corn, 100 bus. of oats.

1860 Census, Fremont Co., Sidney Twp. Iowa page 76-77
    John Hiatt       age 53 Farmer born Ky
    Susannah             49             NY
    Reuben               18 Farmer      Ill.
    Joseph               13             Ill.
    Louisa M.             1             Mo.
    William L. Rodarmal  19 Farmer Ill.
    John C. Rodarmal     16        Ill.
    Mary C. McAllister   13        Ill.
    William Bails        21 Farm Labor Ind.

The 1860 Census, Production of Agriculture, shows the following for John Hiatt:  36 acres imporved land, 54 acres unimproved, cash value of land $1200: Value of machinery $75: 4 horses, 2 milch cows, 2 swine, livestock valued at $400: 113 bu. wheat, 1200 bu. Indian Corn, 100 bu. oats.

Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925   about Susan A Hiatt
Name: Susan A Hiatt
Birth Year: abt 1821
Birth Place: New York
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Married
Census Date: 1885
Residence State: Iowa
Residence County: Fremont
Locality: Sidney
Roll: IA1885_188
Line: 2
Family Number: 157
Name              Age
John HiattSenior 77
Susan A Hiatt 64

Marriage Record
State of Illinois}
Peoria Couty, Set}
                The people of the state of Illinios
                To any person legally auctized to soleminize
                marriage Greeting.
You are hereby licensed and permitted to celebrate and certify the rites of marriage between you John Haitt and you Susan Palmer both of lawful age and both of Peoria County.  And for so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrent.
                Witness William Mitchell Clerk of the
                County Comminsioned Court and the seal
                thereof at Peoria this first day of October AD 1849
                            William Michell Clerk
                            by R. Harlin Dept Clerk

John's probate in Fremont Co.,Iowa (book I, pg. 235) lists all of his children who survived him.  It also lists three gransons, Birdsell, Henry and Charles Hiatt, sons Reuben who was desceased.

                        Will of John Hiatt, Jr.
Know all men by these presents: That I John Hiatt of Sidney township, Fremont County, Iowa, do make, publish and declare this Codicil to my last will and testament signed and witnessed on January 3rd 1883, as follows, to wit:

   1st. It is my will that my grandchild Charles Hiatt, son of Reuben Hiatt,deceased, shall only receive in any event Lot six (6) of Block Five (5) of Hiatts Addition to the town of Sidney, Iowa, or so much as may remain of the proceeds of the sale of said Lot six after payment of my debts.  That the lots in said Block five other than said lot six be first sold for payment of debts, and if the proceeds of such sale be insufficient to pay all of said debts, then that said lot six (6) be sold and be applied, or so much thereof as shall be necessary to payment of debts.  The balance if any to be paid to said Charles Hiatt.
   2nd.  It is my will that any residue that may remain of my estate after the payment of debts and the legacies herein mentioned and the setting aside by my executor of such reasonable sum as shall be needed for the support of my widow until she can obtain support from the sale of lands herein bequeathed to her be equally divided between my son and daughter, Joseph Hiatt and Jane Pickens.
                                     his
Attest: /s/ A.B. Thornell       John   X   Hiatt
                                    Mark

Be it remembered that on this 15th day of January, 1883, John Hiatt of Sidney Township, Fremont County, Iowa, in our presence signed, published and declared the above and foregoing instrument of writing consisting of one page
besides this page to be a codicile to his will executed by him, on the 3rd day of January A.D. 1883 and in witness whereof we have in his presence and at this request and in the presence of each other subscribed our names hereto as witnesses thereof.
                                /s/ Lydia A. Thomas
                                /s/ A.B. Thornell


Susannah A. BEEDLE

  Found in Proctor Conn., pg 91.  She married first a Palmer, secondly to Rodermel.
                 Probate Record #2, case #935
                Fremont County District Court

   I, Susan A. Hiatt, the town of Sidney, the County of Fremont, in the State of Iowa, being of sound mind and memory and of full age do hereby make and publish this my last will and testament.
   1st   I direct that all my debts and funeral expenses be fully paid.
   2nd   I, give devise and bequeth unto my beloved Son, John Rodarmal, one
tenth (1/10) of the remaining of my property after all my debts and funeral
expenses are paid.
   3rd   The remaining nine tenths (9/10) of my property - I give, devise and bequeth unto my beloved Step Son, Joseph Hiatt Jr.
   In Witness whereof I have set my hand this 30th day of March 1889
                                 Signed Susan A. Hiatt

   The foregoing instrument was at the date thereof, subscribed Susan A.
Hiatt, in our presence and she at the same time declared it to be her last will and testment, and by her request we signed our names thereto as witnesses both in her presence and in the presence of each other.
                                Lulie (?) D. Danley
                                P.H. Hoop (Phillip H.)

   Will of Susan Hiatt, opened and filed January 22, 1892
                                                  P. G. Cowles (Perry)
                                                         Clerk
                        Notice, Proof of Will
    State of Iowa
    Fremont Co.
    To Whom it may concern:
        Notice is hereby given, that an instrument to writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Susan Hiatt deceased, was this day producted open and read by the under signed.  And that I have fixed Wednesday, the sixth day of April 1892 as the day for hearing proof in perfecting the will.
  Witness my official signature with the seal of said court hereto affixaded
date 22 day of Jan. 1892.
                                       D.H. Hoop
               Printed in the Fremont Co., Herald   Dated 11 Feb 1892.
                      Sworn on 9th day of May 1892.  Filed 9 May 1892.
Office of Clerk of Courts
P.G. Cowles, Clerk
                                        Sidney, Iowa Jan 22, 1892
State of Iowa
Fremont Co.
    I, Joseph Hiatt, of said County and State hereby certify that Susan Hiatt of said County died at Sidney, Iowa in said county on about Dec 5, 1891 that I was present at her death.
                           Joseph Hiatt
Sworn and subscribed by Joseph Hiatt, before me this 22 Jan 1892.
                           P.G. Cowles Clerk

  The estate of Susan Hiatt was ordered closed 1 May 1964, apparently not having been closed and judged dorment.
   Also the sister to Abram Beedle, husband of Mary Ann Hiatt, married to Daniel Pickens.

Iowa, State Census 1885   about Susan A. Hiatt
Name: Susan A. Hiatt
Age: 64
Gender: F (Female)
Birth State: NY
Township Number: 69
Range: 42
Section: 27
Location: Hiatts Addition
Marital Status: M
Line Number: 2
Dwelling Number: 156
Family Number: 157
Page Number: 590
State: IA
County: Fremont
Township Name: Sidney
Town: Sidney
Family History Film: 1021469
Volume: 188


Marriage Notes for John Hiatt Jr. and Susannah A. BEEDLE-1285

Illinois Marriages to 1850 about Susannah Hiatt
Name: Susannah Hiatt
Spouse: John Perry
Marriage Date: 29 Nov 1849
Marriage County: McLean


Louisa M. HIATT

    Found in Fremont Co., Cem. Book.  Picture taken of the Tombstone by Larry Anderson.  Inscription Louisa M. Dau of John and Susan Hiatt, died Aug 1, 1875 Aged 22ys 8mo and 11dys.


Jesse HIATT

From Belle Johnson of Wheatland, Wyoming, 1992
Jess Hiatt
Jess Hiatt was a native of North Carolina; also a Quaker. He did not believe in bloodshed so he paid a ten-fold tax instead of going to war.

In his early years he was a mail carrier from one part of the country to another. One time he had to pass a field of cane. He saw Indians coming through the cane. He turned his horse to run. The horse fell to the ground with him. One of his legs was caught. He extracted himself and ran. Before the Indians could catch his horse, his horse had gained his feet and ran after him. Jess stepped to one side and as the horse passed, bounded on his back and rode off leaving the Indians cheering him.

On Jesse Hiatt:
                                                                          ILLINOIS
When Illinois Territory was established in 1809 the two original counties were St. Clair and Randolph. September 12, 1812, three counties were formed by proclamation of the Territorial Governor. After December of 1813, the First Territorial Legislature readjusted boundary lines to form new counties.
After Illinois was admitted as a state on April 8, 1818, the General Assembly of the State of Illinois took over the readjustment of county boundary lines. Illinois had some nineteen counties by 1821 when Pike, one of six counties was formed.  Pike County, formed January 31, 1821, included that part of the state north and west of the Illinois and North of the Kankakee Rivers. The first county seat of Pike County was Cole's Grove, now Gilead, in Calhoun County. By 1824, they county seat was Atlas, and in 1833, it was moved to Pittsfield.

                                                                                  MILITARY TRACT
To get men to enlist in the War of 1812, Congress passed an act which was approved May 6, 1812 promising veterans land. This act was amended several times.
The areas reserved for veterans lay in what is now Michigan, Illinois an Arkansas. In Illinois, the land assigned by lot to veterans, beginning on October 6, 1817. The bulk was given out by 1818. The Illinois section of the Military Tract was between the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, south of the north line of Mercer County. This land is still known as the "Military Tract" and was patented in quarter sections (160 acres).
Much of the virgin Illinois land continued to lay unclaimed in the Military Tract during the 1820's. Only patented bounty land was subject to purchase. The Congress Lands (Lands not patented) were not subject to purchase or entry. Money was exceedingly scarce. Some of the settlers improved or partially improved their land, and then sold it to newcomers in order to obtain a sum of money with which to buy more unimproved land.
Many interesting stories have been told of the transactions of the veterans bounty lands. Many Eastern veterans thought the distant bounty land of little value. The land was traded off for a watch, for livestock, or sold for a small amount of money. Some veterans gave power of attorney to another to locate and sell the land. See land records at Quincy, IL. A fairly common situation evolved when a widow discovered the patent after her husband's death and the patent was offered for sale at Quincy. A records of such a case in 1852 involved Andrew Edwards' land, the SE quarter f Section 1 N, Range 9 West.
The "Western Engineer," the first steamboat on the Mississippi River, stopped in the summer of 1821 at what is now Quincy, IL.
Sent by Margaret Barber, Leland Smith, Ruby Hiatt, Joyce Kindred and Larry Anderson.
1850 Census Peoria, Ill. List #2682 Jesse Hiatt age 68 Farmer born NC Mary 65 NC Joseph 23 Ill. Martha A. 16 Ill.

The names next to Jesse include his son Ruben Hiatt with his wife Nancy and their children, Little Page and Carline. See notes under Reuben.
Also the household next to them contains an old family associated name of whom we do not know at this point: #2683, family # 2766 Green, Silas age 44 M Farming b. N.Y. Sarah 42 f Penn.William 17 m Farming Ohio James A. 15 m Farming Ohio
The family just preceding Jesse and Reuben Hiatt is: Jacob Ackerman age 38 M Farmer born Ohio. Rachel 36 F Ohio William 11 m Ohio John 7 m Ohio Sarah 3 f Ohio

1856 Census, Fremont Co., Sidney Twp.
Hiatt, Jesse age 76 born N.C. Farmer
Family of Green probably related living next to him. Silas Green and Sarah with 9 children. Jesse Hiatt is also found in the Census of 1820, White Co., Ill. with several of the related families.
Pg. 338-339: Heads of Family No. White M All other 21 & Up White Elijah Kimzey 283 1 2 David Kimzey 284 1 5 Little Page Proctor 285 1 5 Fannie Stevens 286 1 6 John Proctor 287 1 1 Jesse Hyatt 294 1 6 Joseph Proctor 305 1 2
1830 Census Hamilton Co., Ill. page 240, line 14 Hiatt, Jesse Males under 5 - 1 5-10 1 15-20 1 40-50 1 Females 5-10 1 10-15 1 40-50 1

Also listed in White Co. pg. 355 under the 1818 census for White Co., certifying the returns on June 3. Also on the same for the 1820 census. See g. 81 of 1818 census. 2 Nov 1818 #4685 Jesse Hiatt White Co., Ill. 64.00 SE 10; 5S, 9E 160.00 14 Sept. 1818 #4032 Jesse Hiatt White City, Ill. 16.00 SW 17; 5S, 7E 160.00 18 Dec. 1818 #5127 Jesse Hiatt White Co., Ill. 16.00 NE 7; 10S, 8E 160.00
also has David Proctor 29 Dec 1818 #5146 David Proctor White Co., Ill. 16.00 SE 1; 5S, 6E
4 Feb. 1819 #5379 Jesse Hiatt White Co., Ill. 64.00 SW 28; 5S, 7E
Shawnee Town Land District Records, Ill. 1814 - 1820 pg. 131 Hiatt, Jesse pg. 70, 81, 88, 92. Introduction
....These records document the transfer of land titles in the public land states from the federal government to private individuals or to other governmental units. (Non-public land states are the original thirteen and Maine, Vermont, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Texas. All other states are public land states or public domain states).
....See other examples of federal land records that have been transcribed:

Viz. The Federal Land Series, Volumes I & II by Clifford Neal Smith (American Library Ass., Chicago: 1972/73); Frontier Claims in the Lower South: Records of Claims by Citizens of the Alabama and Tombigbee River Settlements in the Mississippi Territory for Depredation by the Creek Indians During the War of 1812, by Richard S. Lackey (Polyanthos, Ind., Drawer 51359, New Orleans, Louisiana 70151: 1977); The Missouri Land Claims Polyanthos, Ind.); Indiana District by Margaret Waters (The Book Mark, Knightstown, Ind.: 1977); and War of 1812 Bounty Lands in Ill., Reprint of U.S. House Document 262, 26th Congress, 1st. Session, 1840 (Heritage House, Rt. 1, Box 211, Thomson, Ill. 61285: 1977)
This present volume is a transcription of a very small portion of the Ill. federal land records, namely, the first sales in the Shawneetown Land District. After working with these records, t soon became apparent that the earliest sales were not recorded in the Tract Books. These were the books searched by the Illinois Archives staff in response to mail requests when a definite township location was provided. The earliest sales to be found there were for the year 1820. (Within a year, the Ill. State Archives expects to have a complete index to the land records there and will be able to answer requests without the exact township location).
The Shawneetown Land Office opened in 1812 with the first sales being recorded in 1814. There were two officials operating in each land office, the Register and the Receiver. The Register would accept applications for land purchases and make the appropriate journal entries. the Receiver kept a daily register of all receipts of land payments. It is the record of the latter office for the period of July 18, 1814, through June 30, 1820, which is reproduced on the following pages.
....After an individual had completed all of his payments on a particular piece of land, a patent would be issued from Washington. All patents within a land district were sent to the Register of that district. He was responsible for the delivery of the patents (the first deeds) to the land purchasers. These patents are sometimes called grants. A grand was free land usually issued in return for military service. As all land transactions in this volume were for purchase lands, they cannot be considered grants.
....Occasionally, evidence is found of settlers in Shawneetown District before 1814. There was some land in the far eastern portion of the district which may have been sold in the Vincennes (Indian) Land Office prior to 1814.
That office was established in 1804. It is also known that there were some squatters (people living on the land without paying for it) in the area.

Mention of some pre 1814 residents in the region can be found in Clarence E. Carter's Territorial Papers of the United States, Vol. II & III, The Northwest Territory; Vol. VII &VIII, The Indiana Territory; and Vol. XVI & XVII, and in the American State Papers, The Public Land Series by Gales & Seaton.
....The counties included are: The Shawneetown Land Office covers the present counties of Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Saline, White, and Williamson. Also included are parts of Palaski, Union, Wayne, Edwards, and Wabash Counties. Most of the sales recorded in this book are in those counties. However, before the Vandalia Land Office was opened in 1820, a few sales of land in present Fayette, Marion and Clay Counties were entered at Shawnetown.

(State of Iowa)  ss

County of Fremont
On this 22nd day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred & fifty five, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within & for the county and State aforesaid, Jesse Hiatt, aged 71 years, a resident of Fremont County and the state of Iowa, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Jesse Hiatt who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Leonard White in the regiment of Ohio Militia commanded by Colonel Hargrave, under General William H. Harrison, in the Indiana War of 1811, for the term of three months, and continued in actual service in said war for fourteen days; that he has heretofore made application for bounty land, under the Act of September 28th 1850, and received a 40 acres land warrant, the No. of which is not recollected by deponent as he sold it, & which he has legally disposed of and it cannot now return it. He makes this application for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved the 3d day of March 1855. He also declared that he has never applied for nor received under this nor any other act of Congress, any Bounty land Warrant except the one above mentioned.
Attest L. Lingenfelter his Jesse X Hiatt
Mark

We, L. P. Hiatt and John Hiatt, residents of Fremont County and in the state of Iowa, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledge by Jesse Hiatt, in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance, said statements of the applicant that he is the identical person he represents himself to be. /s/ L.P. Hiatt /s/ John Hiatt

The foregoing declaration and application were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial seal this 22d day of May A.D. 1855. /s/ L. Lingenfelter, Notary Public
State of Iowa : : ss
Fremont County :
I, Elias Findley, Clerk of the District Court within and for said county of Fremont, do hereby certify that L. Lingenfelter, whose official signature appears to the foregoing affidavit, was at the date thereof and now is, an acting Notary Public of said county and state, duly commissioned and qualified and as such full faith and credit are due and ought to be given and he is authorized under said commission to exercise the functions of such Notary Public until July 29th, 1858. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, affixed my official seal at office in Sidney, this 21st day of June A. D. 1856. (Seal) /s/ Elias Findley District Clerk Address: L. Lingenfelter
State of Missouri : : ss
County of Caldwell :
On this twenty-fifth day of February A.D. 1851, personally appeared before me William S. Tollard, Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the County of Caldwell aforesaid, Jesse Hiatt, aged sixty-eight years, a resident of Caldwell County in the Sate aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Jesse Hiatt who was a Private in the Company Commanded by Captain Leonard White, who was under William H. Harrison in the War with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812; that he was drafted at the United States Saline Lick in the Territory of Illinois about the 20th day of March 1814 for the term of three months, and continued in actual service in said War for the term of three months, and was honorably discharged at Shawneetown in Territory of Illinois  on or about the 20th of June A.D. 1814, as will appear by the Muster rolls of said Company; believes his original Certificate of discharge to have been destroyed, the same not being in his possession or under his Control, and has no knowledge as to the time when same was destroyed or taken from his possession.

   He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the Act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States, passed September 28th 1850.
                                /s/ Jesse Hiatt
   Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Jesse Hiatt to be the identical man who served as aforesaid, and that he is of the age above stated.
   In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed this seal of said court at office in Kingston this 25th of February A.D. 1850
                                 /s/ William S. Tollard,
                                                Clerk
(Seal)

JESSE HIATT
   Jesse Hiatt was born Oct. 1, 1777 in N.C.  He was the son of John Hiatt and Susanna.  He married Mary Proctor who was born 9 Apr. 1787 in Madison Co., Ky., the dau. of Little Page Proctor and his first wife Sarah Woodruff.  Jesse and Polly Proctor Hiatt married May 6, or June 9, 1803 in Madison Co., Ky.  (both dates given)  Jesse died Oct. 1, 1857 in Fremont Co., Iowa and is buried in Sidney Cem. in Sidney, Fremont Co., Iowa.  Polly died 11 Apr. 1855 and is also buried in the Sidney cem.

    Their first two children were born in Ky.  They moved to Louisiana Territory (now Missouri) about 1808, and the third child was born in what is now Andrew Co., Mo.  In about 1811 they went to southern Ill., where Polly's father lived.  They joined several of Polly's brothers in Peoria Co., Ill. in 1834 and lived there until 1853 when they settled in Fremont Co., Iowa.

   Jesse was one of the first grand jurors selected when Hamilton Co., Ill. was formed in 1821.  He was a veteran of the War of 1812, serving in Capt. Leonard's Co. of the Ill. Infantry Militia.  His ancestors were Quakers but Jesse did some fighting.

   After Polly died in 1855 Jesse lived for a time with his daughter Mary Anne McCalister, but it is believed that he is the Jesse Hiatt who married in Fremont Co., May 19, 1856 to Mrs. Martha Mooney.  He died a year and a half after that marriage.
   Jesse and Polly (Mary Ann) had at least 8 children; there may have been others who died young.

       Fremont Co., Iowa became the home port, a base for calling home, for the descendents of Jesse and Polly Proctor Hiatt.  Even years earlier they had become familiar with this western expansion of territory.  They seem never to be able to remain still, following an instinct of restlessness, they ventured into new territories and adventures.  These pioneers, although not often mentnvolved in the Indian affairs; they were present for just about every happening or event of consequence, and then some. These families, our ancestors, our own grandparents and cousins truly shaped this nation with active parts, andioned in our annuls of history, were non the less, the forerunners of civilization.  They were intimately tied to the well known, the famous and the events of the day.  The Hiatt families, and their off shoots, framed this nation, and are to be well counted in the entire western movement.  They were personally associated with, and often companions with such personages as General Clark, Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln, Sutter of Sutters mill in California.  They knew and were i when you combine the inter connecting lines, these true pioneer families literally lived, created and wrote the entire history of this nation from it's very foundation.

       It is almost beyond comprehension, and totally beyond the scope of my own literary or research abilities, to document, trace and demonstrate every particular.  There are stories which would be fascinating to trace down, such as one in which I have heard several persons relate, that is, that one of our Hiatt cousins was with Abraham Lincoln the night he was assassinated.  Also that our families sponsored and hosted the Lincoln - Douglas debates.  There is another well known story that a first cousin of Abraham Lincoln, David Lincoln, moved with our families and assisted them in the building of the first homes in Liberty, Clay Co., Mo. and then went on with these families to Colorado.

   Many traditions, the fine points of which are lost and may never be able to be traced or proven, still lend an interest and intrigue.  Some stories perhaps may offend or frighten away those afraid of a skeleton in the closet, although we have found few of those.  One such intrigue which continues to interest many is that my own grandparents helped to secret the James brothers, and that they were indeed cousins, although it has been difficult to trace.  I had spoken with Hershall James in company with his wife at their home in about 1983 or 84, he was elderly at the time but very alert, however, he would not talk much about the family history and said of the James Brothers story, "I was not permitted to talk of them as a boy, I have no reason to talk of them now!"  I had hoped to talk to him later but never did get back with him, too bad I missed that opportunity.

     Sent by Betty KOGER, 18 Sept 2000.  She adds this story from the Estes Family branch.
   First HIATTS in America came from England before 1737.  There were 3 brothers: John, Enoch and Amos.  John HIATT had a son named John, who was born in NC, a Quaker.  He did marry, I know not the name.  They had 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls.  The oldest son is Jessie, (my g g g Grandfather).  Jessie married Mary "Polly" Proctor.  They had 8 children, 6 boys and 2 girls.  His oldest son, Joseph married Martha Ann Estes, daughter of Joel Estes. (Estes Park, Colorado named after him.)  He donated the land for the park.

    In 1851 Jessie and son Joseph took out a soldier's land grant and homesteaded a tract of land North of Sidney, IA.  There were only 3 other families in Sidney at that time.  They build a log cabin from trees cut on their land.  I understand they lived in a cave they dug while the cabin was being built. Eventually bought more land at $1.25 per acre.  About 1849 they went to California to look for gold, returned to Sidney, IA with 9 pounds of gold dust and bought more land.  They had 17 children.  Joseph was 85 years old when he died.  Continue this account under Joseph.


Mary Ann (Polly) PROCTOR

The story I will quickly relate is that handed down to me. It bears up in part, at least by records.  Larry Anderson
Our HIATT families had gone to Kentucky with BOONE about 1787 in order to escape some of the fighting of the Rev War. The families once there intermingled with others and eventually the families gave up Quakerism and joined the Methodist. Jesse married Mary or Polly, Proctor whose father and all 6 his brothers were Methodist Ministers.
Following the Lewis and Clark expedient these families were invited personally by President Andrew Jackson to move into the new territory and establish an American Presence on the MO. So the Proctor and Hiatt's moved to what is now St. Joe, MO. in 1808. After being there some time there was an earthquake that drove them into southern IL, White Co. The story of the earth quake was that, after shaking them out of bed for three days and three nights, they took it as a sign to get them out of there. They were in IL at the time of the War of 1812 and Jesse signs up for that. For his services he is later given land and the families move to establish a settlement, from oral history only, I was told that they settled Peoria, IL. These families stayed in close contact with their other families and in 1818, John HIATT moved to what is now Liberty, Clay Co., MO and establishes a settlement there. These cousins and families are often going back and forth to visit, as is demonstrated by Joseph HIATT marrying his first cousin once removed, Mary Estes, dau of Joel Estes, son of Peter Estes and Esther HIATT, Jesse's sister. These families were freighters and trappers, they also are said to have gone to CA to visit their cousins and take supplies, the SUTTERS. They discovered gold there, reportedly in Grass Valley and sold the mine for $30,000 of which the brothers divided and each invested their money in an adventure. John Jr. bought out tracks of land in Sidney still known today as HIATT Edition. They also had a large track of farm land north of Sidney, named Mt. Zion. All there is today is a cemetery, a deteriorating log cabin once occupied by David HIATT family. Joseph is said to have bought a plantation in MO and had slaves. Before the out break of the Civil War he freed his slaves but was still disfranchised and his lands confiscated for being a southern sympathizer. Little Page built the first motel and grist mill in Brownsville, NE. There was also a mill in Sidney called the HIATT mill but could not find much info on that, it was well gone by now.
Contributions of information sent by Margaret Barber, Leland Smith of Tabor, Iowa, Ruby Hiatt of Neb. City and Joyce Kindred of Mo.

"Twas eventide of an Indian Summer day in the Fall of 1852, and on the outskirts of Peoria Illinois, (now the little Village of Trivola), stood the caravan of covered wagons, top white - agleam like sheeted ghost in the glow of a rising moon. Here the three brothers, John, Joseph Sr., and Reuben Hiatt, were making final preparation for their departure tomorrow (dawn), leaving behind them the old Illinois home, to follow the grass land trail that "nobody knows how old" into the land of golden opportunity lying just beyond the border land.

The Reuben Hiatt wagon comprised as occupants, their father, Jesse Hiatt (who had given service in the war of 1812 - having been called into service March 13, 1813 for defense of the frontiers of Illinois territory against hostile Indians, the Mother Mary (Proctor Hiatt, Reuben with his young son Page and daughter Caroline.

Long the Mother Mary pondered upon her decision of this departure. Long past the midnight hour for many nights, the candles flickered and burned, while stars and moon looked down upon a scene as old as the grassland trail, that of the heart of a woman, torn between duty and love. Duty, guiding her three sons and their families into the new country and leaving behind in the old home her greatly beloved and aged father, Page Proctor, who had served in the American Revolution from 1777 till Wayne's Victory in 1794.
The farewells had been given and tho' old Page had spoken to Mary "weep not my daughter" something within the once strong heart of the warrior answered him, that Mary his delight in her childhood and ever his dutiful daughter, was passing out of his earthly life forever. As he blessed the union of Mary and Jesse on that June day of 1803 in her childhood home at Richmond Kentucky, so now he gave his blessing upon their departure into the new country, the frontier.

Before the sound of the wagon wheels had died away, the eyes of the old Page were dimmed, and for long hours he sat meditating upon the years that he had been, and the few remaining years that yet might be. Listening to the rhythmic whir of revolving wheels as the wagon roll onward, Mary watched thru the covered wagon flap the tall prairie grasses bend and bow, closing across the back and trail as a door swings back on its hinges, while the wagons lurch onward toward the sunset of their desire.

Reuben, the ever jovial son of the trio, rode for today in silence, his sombrero usually jauntily tilted, now shading his eyes, no quibe, no idle jesting.

Comforted by the companionship of the child Page (named for her father), and his sister Caroline, busy with the cares of camp life and often its great discomfort, the ever present Indian whose life and custom were not unknown to Mary in lessons in childhood from her father, Page, and later from her husband Jesse, she follows on with the caravan into the new west.

There were nights by the camp fire, nights when the child Page, Caroline, and Little Joseph (from the John Hiatt wagon) play 'round the glowing camp coals, or listened to tales related by their elders, nights when the moon rose in full glory over the prairie land, when Mary's eyes were lifted upward and her thoughts like night moth, winged backward across the miles to her father's home. There were nights of illness, when like angles of mercy, Mary and Susan (John's wife) visited not along their own wagons, but also those of other travelers wherein the stricken lie, administering their comfort.

Days when storms swept the new region, winds and rain lashed the canvas abode, and storm clouds darkly lowered. Like a wed of finest weave, were woven joys, happiness, sorrows and pain, for all those who traveled this trail of hope. Thru' sunshine and shadow the revolving wheels slowly but surely trended westward, and one day drew into Fremont County and on to the County seat, Sidney, Iowa.

Here the three brothers and their father Jesse, held council and decided to cast their lot. A decision that gave to Fremont County a life time of interest, service, and support from this caravan of wagons. Surveyors were busy, claims were be rq filed, new friendships contacted, (many that endured thru out their life), excitement prevailed, the children and young folks amused and awed by new and strange surroundings, and each of the trio of brothers busy with his own filing and future home building, the wagon life, and meals they had traversed were all but forgotten.
But there was one among them who had not forgotten, Had the breeze that stir the prairie grasses whispered to Mary? Had the stars and moon revealed their secret as she watched long into the night? We do not know, but e'er the blue and purple haze of Indian summer had lifted from hills and valley, and the blast brilliant leaves of autumn had drifted, old Page had joined the caravan that long ago journeyed into a new country, where we are told "the years count not by days" On November 15, 1852 the night winds sang (then as now) their requiem above his residing place at McLeansboro, Illinois.

John the eldest son, had filed the first claim adjoining the town site on the east and was dreaming his own dream in the erection of the old pre emption house in east Sidney.

Reuben, second eldest son, filed his claim of 120 acres northwest of the county seat. Date of patent December 15, 1853 reads,"The United States of America to Reuben Hiatt Certificate No. III. Payment for Certificate made at register of the land office at Kansesville, Iowa ( now Council Bluffs). The document of this transaction, signed by President Franklin Pierce, is today the property of his son, Fred Hiatt, on of Sidney's present enterprising citizens.
Reuben later became owner of another tract adjoining that of his brother Joseph Sr. who had filed his claim to the north of the county seat. Old timers, also friends of the Reuben Hiatt children remember the old homestead north of town, have seen the old "stand table" whereon for long years rested the family bible of ancient make, recording the marriage of Reuben Hiatt and Mary Ann Kauble. To this union were born the following children - The late David Hiatt, (believed to be the first white male child born in Fremont Co.), Fred, Steve, Frank, Lovy Hume (deceased), Addie McCaffrey, and Paulina James.  The old family bible today is the property of Mrs. James and because of its age, is a rare possession of very great interest. (this bible is lost to everyone today, I tried to talk to last known relative, Hershal James, he was quite old at that time, asked about Jesse James too, said he was never allowed to talk of him as a kid, no sense to talk about him now. That was about 1984. LA)

The mother Mary an ever present aid to her sons in the establishing of their frontier homes exiled from her childhood associations, grew weary, secretly grieved, and would not be comforted.
One April day in 1855, just two years after the signing of Reuben's land patent, Mary passed beyond the earthly frontiers to join her father Page. In October of 1857, Jesse followed his companion, leaving the sons and families to brest along the waves of a new and untried country.

To some it may be of interest knowing that near the east border of Sidney's silent city of the dead, lie Jesse Hiatt and the mother Mary, a true daughter of the American Revolution while near by in the lap of Mother Earth, lie the sons, John, Joseph Sr. and Reuben.


David HIATT

    Died young.


John Robert SMITH

Sent by Helen Wilson also found in Proctor Connection and information from
Paula Moore.

Ira Shane says that he, John, was the first sherriff of Hamilton Co., Ill.
Also that the father of John Smith was in the Rev. War.
   Ira Shane married a dau. Pauline Smith.  He wrote a history of the Smiths.  This record was written during the 30's while Shane worked for the WPA.

John Smith, found in the Ebenzer Cem. which is located about 2 miles south
and east of Peru, Madison Co., Iowa.  He is buried in close proximity to James Hiatt and several of the known Hiatt relatives.  He is not proven to be our John, however, it would be so probable because of all his children and families buried around him, besides the dates.  There was no grave found for his wife, she may be buried there without a headstone, or she may have died prior to them coming from Ill.   Since the rest of the families came to Sidney area around 1851, the families should be searched for in Ill., possibly in Peoria, Ill.

There are also several other Smith families buried there, it could be assumed
that these are all from this John Smith and because of dates and place of
burial, to indicate a child of John and Martha DeBoard.
  I will include the names of the persons we found on headstones in that
cemetery here, which hopefully will become meaningful in the near future and
possibly enable research to be completed at some date and time.

Ebenezer Cem., SE of Peru, Madison Co., Iowa
Smith, John  Died Sept. 15, 1857  Aged 81 yrs, 26 days (b. & d. on a Tuesday)
Johnnie (Smith) infant son of N. M. & Laura Smith
   died Sept. 28, 1876  1 year 8 mo. 28 days

All persons following on the same stone
James Smith d. 31 March 1855
Mary E. his wife  d. 15 Jan 1855
Elizabeth A. d/o J.J. & Eva Smith (could be from middle name of above)
   27 Feb. 1837
    4 Feb. 1855
Margaret J. Coultrap Smith
   15 Feb. 1841  -  2 April 1873
Walter S. S/O  F. M.  &  M. J. Smith (mother above)
   27 Mar 1873  -  2 June 1873

Frank Smith son of J. W. & Belle Smith 1883 - 1929

next to this grave is:
Jonathon Rawles  7 Aug. 1825 - 18 Apr 1866
Phebe S. (Smith) his wife  12 Nov. 1820 - 5 Sept. 1905

Isaac Smith son of J. J. & M. A. Smith  2 Nov. 1867 16 yrs. 5 mo. 20 days

Hiram Lovelace b. 17 Mar 1812 d. 22 Feb. 1897 (do not know how or if he fits
into the family, but buried next to them) but may have married a dau. of John
Smith and therefore she would be a sister to our line.

Harriet wife of Hiram Lovelace died Dec. 11, 1880

There are also names of Deardorff, Howe, Carver, Atkinson all buried near
our Smith and Hiatt families.  Do not know if or how they might connect so did not copy them.

Matilda E. w/o G. W. Allen  5 May 1873  aged 35 yrs. 5 mo. 24 days
Eleanor W/o W. Abernathy  died 28 June 1877 aged 55 yrs. 4 mo. 25 days

Ann L. wife of P. Allen daughter of E. B. & A. Jones  died 2 Feb. 1860 24
yrs. 6 mo. 1 day.
   Lucy A. L. dau. of I. B. & A. L. (Allen) died Jan 14, 1858 1 yr. 5 mo. 10
days next to Jones.

Amanda Jones wife of E. B. Jones died 3 Feb. 1864 68 yesrs 9 mo. 11 days
(Another stone next to each other) Amanda Jones w/o E. B. Jones d. 3 Feb. 1894 aged 68 Yrs. 9 mo. 11 days.
   E. B. Jones 15 Sept. 1851 aged ? yrs. 3 mo. 3 days

Hazel B. Jones 1890 - 1944
   Benton Jones 1851 - 1937 & Laura Ann Jones 1852 - 1936

John Foreman  d. 6 Feb. 1866  57 Yrs. 4 mo. 14 days (b. next to above so
included her, no known relationship at this time)

Nancy O. or C. wife of George W. Allen  d/o Wm. & Elizabeth Abernathy  Died
Dec. 30, 1874  aged 19 yrs. 7 mo. 13 days.

Thomas  Husted  1844 - 1913
   Mary S. Husted  1843 - 1913

George M.  s/o Wm. & Ellen Abernathy died 1872 July 13, age 22 yrs. 25 days

John Garrett died 27 Feb. 1881 aged 85 yrs 13 days
   Stone reads "Until I lay my burden down Charity is the cross unto the
crown"  not sure what that is suppose to mean.

Robertson Steven died 3 Sept. 1891  75 yrs. 6 mo.  wife Elizabeth d. Nov.
17, 1887 aged 71 yrs. 9 mo. 29 days.

Rev. Charles Woolsey, Aug. 17, 1864 Methodist Circuit Rider, 61 years 21
days.


Martha (Sally) DE BOARD

Sent by Helen Wilson, found in Proctor Connection, and from Paula Moore.
   1850 Census, Peoria, Ill. List #1624
   Steven Deboard age 50 Farmer born Ky.
   Mary               48             Ky
   James              20             Ill.
   Thomas             9/12           Ill.
   Gwyn?  male        16             Ill.
   Elizabeth          15             Ill.
   Catherine          12             Ill.
   Mary A.            10             Ill.
   Steven              6             Ill.
   Dave                3             Ill.

List #1620  Peoria, Ill. 1850 Census
   Rueben R. Deboard age 33 Farmer born Ky
   Julia A.              33             Ohio
   William                6             Ill.
   Charles                3             Ill.
   Henry                6/12            Ill.

List #1637 Peoria, Ill 1850 Census
   James Deboard age 33 Farmer born Ky
   Catherine         27             Georgia
   Nancy J.           9             Ky
   Barbara            7             Ill.
   George             5             Ill.
   Sarah E.          3/12           Ill.
   Living with this family Nancy Burgess age 49.
   Nancy A. Burgess age 16 born Ky.


Samuel HIATT

   Death date came from the Liberty Tribute pg 29.
Sent by Joyce Kindred, Found in Estes families of Old Clay Co., Mo., pg. 145
   According to Estes Families book, Samuel was born about 1799, in Ky.


Matilda Benton ESTES

   Sent by Joyce Kindred.


Warren BENTON

   Sent by Joyce Kindred, Found in Estes Families of Old Clay Co., Mo.  The name of Estes was adopted, from mothers side.
   Family tradition passes down that Elizabeth's children were adopted and given back to the 'Estes' name by their grandfather, Joel Estes, after the disappearence of Warren Benton.

    Andrew Estes, sbcglobal.net, 10/8/2007 via email.

A brother of William Estes, and 2 sisters, Sarah and Matilda, sometime around 1830, Archibald, William, and some cousins, (including the famous Joel Estes) moved into the Platte Co., purchase (later to become Platte Co., Buchannan Co., and Andrew Co., MO).  Of these my grandfather, William, later homesteaded in Caldwell Co. around 1840 with his family where he and his descendant remained.  His brother, Archibald, farmed in Andrew Co. for awhile longer and can later be found in Oregon.  We all know Joel Estes (the Cousin) and his family followed the gold trail to Colorado, then to New Mexico, leaving family in both those states.


Elizabeth ESTES

    Sent by Joyce Kindred and Walter Stenzel. Andrew Estes, sbcglobal.net, 10/8/2007 via email.

    Elizabeth Estes (Benton), buried just south of Kearney, MO in what is known as Old Liberty Cemetery, came to MO from Madison Co., KY.  Had a federal land grant July 15, 1824, for land norht of Liberty Missouri buried near Estes, Hiatt and Benton markers.


Male Benton ESTES

    Sent by Joyce Kindred.


Reuben HIATT

Living with his brother Moses in 1860 in Fremont Co., Sidney Twp. Iowa.
    Minutes Book Court 1855-1859 May the 28, 1858
    Ordered that Reuben Hiatt be allowed Six and 20/100 dollars for his
attendance as a witness int he case of the state of Iowa vs A.C. Bronwill change of name in which the prosecution failed.
   May the 28, 1858
   Ordered that Reuben Hiatt be allowed one and 15/100 dollars for his attendence as a witness as described in order 214.
  Reuben gives his occupation as a butcher.


Jane MATT

   Her first marriage was to Willis Titus.


Joseph HIATT Jr.

Found in Mills Co., Cem. Book. also Sidney Argus Herald relates a story of Joseph Hiatt, Jr., the oldest settler of Fremont County now living, relates the following historic facts of the County in early days; (Provided by Ruth Hiatt)

                                                             OUR OLDEST SETTLER TELLS OF EARLY DAYS
                                                                                 Sidney Argus-Herald  (1933)

   Joseph Hiatt, Jr., the oldest settler of Fremont County now living, relates the following historic facts of the County in early days:
   In the fall of 1852 I came with my parents from Peoria County, Illinois to Fremont County, then spoken of as the "Wild and wooley West".  It sure was all this, and more.  It was a land of deprivation and hardship unkown in our nation today.
    About the time "the blue purple haze of Indian Summer" enveloped the wide axpanse of prairieland, three brothers, John, Joseph Sr. (my grandfather) and Reuben Hiatt left their home in Illionis and came by prairie schooner route to lay their claims in the new country.  These claims, in after years proved to be the most valuable in Iowa.
    The journey in those days was not made by filling up the tank and stepping on the gas, but by days of tedious travel.  Gathered around the campfired in the light of the harvest moon, I heard my father, John Hiatt, and his two brothers talk much of the new country in which their dreams were to be realized far greater than they anticipated.  Many Indianas sometimes bands of 500 were also pressing westward.  Often, in the twilight straggling hunters and fisherman of their tribe came begging at our camp.
    The crossing of the Mississippi River was made by boat.  Smaller streams were forded.  After leaving Illinios the settlers became fewer; after passing Des Moines, still more scarce.  From Clarinda to Sidney was all prairie.  We met no man.
    Sidney, the county seat had just been platted a short time and John Hiatt, my father filed the first claim of 160 acres adjoining the townshite on the East.  A part of it is now known as Hiatt Addition.  A little later the two brothers, Joseph Sr., and Reuben filed claims a few miles to the north.
    Sam Fletcher filed the homestead on the north adjoining the townsite, Mr. O'Neil on the west and Mr Van Eaton on the south.  Among the old pioneers who filed claims near Sidney, beside Joseph and Reuben Hiatt, was Mr. Baylor, father of Walker Bayler who lived for many years on his father's homestead at the southeast outskirts of Sidney.  Another, Stephen Cromwell lived on the
east.  The Hiatt and Cromwell boys were playmates and boon companions in those long gone days.     While my father's old pre-emption house was being built in east Sidney, we lived in a double log house together with Abe and Nick Travis and families.  The house was located on the south side of the road across from the old Dr. McCracken place in west Sidney.  It was here, the late Sadie Travis Gordon was born.
   My father's house was frame building built by a man named Allen.  The lumber was hauled from Eastport, a little sawmill on the Iowa side across from Nebraska City.  Joseph Hiatt, Jr., lived on the same farm in Fremont County for 65 years and saw the building up of this county from ten years before the Civil War.  The claims were filed at the land office in Council Bluffs, known then as Kanesville.
   Before the house could be erected, an acre perhaps, was plowed and the house was built in the center, because of the prairie fires that often raged for miles with nothing to check their fury.
    My father's claim had its boundary line on the west about the east line of the cemetery, north of the old Bill Roberts farm, east to Sam Carter (near the creek) and south to the Old Jim Wright farm.  Our stock comprised two teams of horses, two yoke of oxen and a cow.
   In the old days there was a brotherhood exsisting between those who cast their lot in this new county.  Each neighbor helped the other to improve his building and holdings and co-operated in making Fremont County of over eighty year ago what we find it today.
    When the springtime came again to the prairie bringing the birds from the southland, when the trees were bursting in bud and the perfume of the wild plum lent its fragrance to the air, the sturdy pioneer began to turn the first sod.  As the oxen plowed the furrow they were followed by another man who dropped by hand, corn and watermelon seed together.  The next furrow made covered the seed.  The corn turned out about five bushels to the acre and was called sod corn.  The yield of melons was greater than corn.  Both were good quality.
    The first stock raised to any extent was sheep.  After the shearing of the wool, it was washed in large vats.  There was a man named Worchester who owned a carding machine on the corner east of the Dave Hiatt property.  The wool was put into rolls, then on the spinning wheel, spun into thread and woven into cloth on the looms.  Who of the younger generation can visualize the spinning wheels and looms in Sidney homes, and the oxen drawing the plow in the city limits today?  The pioneer mothers as they worked at the looms and looked out upon the prairie, no doubt were longing to gather the wild rose and tiger lilis hidden among the grasses over those wide domains.
    Peach trees were the first fruit tree planted in the new country and proved profitable for many years.  Flocks of wild duck and geese, big droves of turkey and prairie chicken were numerous and over the hills and valleys roamed great herds of deer and buffalo.  On the distant hillsides the herds of deer resembled flocks of sheep. One could kill two or three deer in less time than he could butcher a beef.  I have seen feeding in great numbers on the hill near Sidney.
    The first Court House was a frame building built of cottonwood lumber.  It was built on the present courthouse site, but moved to where the Crawford Furniture Store now stands.  The new courthouse was of brick.  An attempt to blow up this courthouse was made by a man said to be Al Biggs.  The north door was blown across the street.  Biggs was arrested, but escaped.  It is said that the sheriff had taken him, as had been the custom, to call upon Bigg's sweetheart who was living with his Aunt near the location of the late Doctor Morris.  Copeland could hear voices in an adjoining room, but when the half hour (his given time) ended Copeland found only the girl who had been talking aloud.  Biggs had escaped on a horse secreted in the alley.  No word ever came of him.  After the second court house was disposed of the present one was built.
     When I (John Hiatt, Jr.) came to Sidney wild grass growing in the streets around the courthouse.  Surveyors were still working.  The County officers were Argyle, George Biggs, Fred Rector, Giles Cowles and Judge Cotton.
    Cotton served a short term, then resigned in favor of Judge Sears who served a number of years Judge Day following next.
    Sidney lawyers were Kelsey, Joe Murphy, Lingenfelter and Cap Mitchell.
    The first newspaper was called "The Sidney Union" edited by Mr. Holiday.
    John Cook was the first blacksmith.  The first business men were Reed Armstrong and Tootle who started the first store in Sidney and were on the south side.  Also a grocery on the south side and a post office with Sam McCurdy postmaster.
  The old brick church, Baptist, was built near the cemetery and open to all denominations for worship.  The cemetery was platted the first year after the Hiatt's arrival.  One unknown grave was there, perhaps the resting place of some traveler who had fallen by the way side.  A hotel was built by(Little) Page Hiatt where Archie Brothers garage now stands.
   I wonder if there are any of the older settlers who remember the incident of two men, one named Jackson, who attended a dance at Thurman and killed a man named Holloway?  These two men were taken by a mob from the jail and hanged out near what is now the Hummel farm.  I saw them the next day hanging side by side on a limb.
    From 1850 to 1861 there was marked improvement in Fremont County and then came the Civil War.  When the call for volunteers was sounded, many left the plow, laid aside the shovel and hoe and joined the company that marched out of Sidney singing "We'll hang Jeff Davis on a Sour Apple Tree".  I saw them march away but many never returned.
   Joseph Hiatt Jr., the oldest settler of Fremont County now living, has related the above historic facts of the County in early days.  Mr. Hiatt is 83 years of age, well preserved in body and mind; can read and write without glasses.  He now makes his home in Omaha, Neb.


Alvo J. HIATT

   See 1920 Omaha City Directory.  He is a painter living at 1346 So. 21st.


Daniel WELCH

Daniel Welch was a brickmaker.

Found in Proctor Connection pg. 94.  See 1850 Census of Peoria, Ill. pg.
208, #1219.  There is a Welch family:

  WELCH, Matilda f. 56 b. S.C.
   CH.   Obediah, m.  24 b. Ky.
         Larzon ? m.  21 b. Ill.
         Elijah   m.  19 b. Ill.
         Hannah   f.  16 b. Ill.
         Erwart ? m.  14 b. Ill.
         Julian   m.  12 b. Ill.

   In the Illinois Historical Collection, Census of 1820, White Co. Ill. where the Hiatt and Proctor and related families are found there is a family of Welch in the 1818 census near the Jesse Hiatt family.

1818 Census: #58  Welsh, Joseph, 1820: Welch, Joseph


Susannah HIATT

May 22 1994 I received a phone call from Pricilla Toshikian Welch, wife of Harold Merrill Welch.  They were visiting a son in Iowa at the time and looking for information on their lineages. Harold is a grandson of Daniel Welch and Susannah Hiatt.

They will be sending information dealing with their families in exchange for our data.  They were on their way to Sidney, Iowa then on to Kentucky to look up family ties.  Living at 712 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.  Tel (813) 425-1724. I just called her this 5th day of April, 2000. She is still doing genealogy and interested in the information. She has lines of her own that connect to many of my lines from early MA families, lines of Gilbert, Tyler, etc.

   Descendants lineage goes through John Allen Welch, John Edward Welch m. Ethel Minnie Gaub, Harold M. Welch m. 2nd Pricillia M. Toshikian.  Pricilla called again 29 Oct 1994, has not heard from us, is still interested in information from us.  Has lots of info, has sent it.


David WELCH

Was living in Trindad, Colo 1887.


Abram BEEDLE

26 Jun 1860 Sidney, Fremont CO., Iowa page 88
    #677  Abram Beadle age 32 Farmer Born Ill
          Jane             32             Ill.
          John              9             Ill.
          Henry             5             Iowa
          Susan             2             Ill.

Taken from court proceedings against Daniel Pickens, in Fremont Co., Iowa, 13
June 1896.

                   IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF IOWA FREMONT COUNTY.
                             SEPTEMBER TERM 1896.

Come now the above named Plaintiffs, John Beedle, Henry Beedle, Susan
Strong & Lorenzo Beedle and complaining of the above named Defendants, Daniel
Pickins & Joseph Reeves, junior, Defendants most repectfully represents to your Honorable Court and shows.

FIRST.
     The plaintiffs, John Beedle and Susan Strong are residents of the State
of Nebraska, Henry Beedle of Kansas and that on or about the 7th day of May 1862 Abram Beedle, their father, then a resident of Fremont County, Iowa died
intestate leaving as his heirs at law the above named Plaintiffs and Mary H.
Beedle his widow.

SECOND:   That the said Abram Beedle, father of the Plaintiffs herein, was a
soldier in the army of the United States during the rebellion, which terminated in 1865 and served as such soldier in favor of the union.

THIRD:    That after the death of the said Abram Beedle, his widow Mary J.
Beedle, intermarried with one, Daniel Pickins Defendant herein, and lived with him as his wife until about the month of February 1896, when she died, and that after her intermarriage with the said Daniel Pickins she made application to the District Court of Fremont County, Iowa and was appointed guardian of the person and property of these Plaintiffs about the 2nd day of January 1867, and that as such guardian she made application to the pension department of the United States government for an allowance of pension to these Plantiffs as minor heirs on the ground that they were the children of Abram Beedle, a soldier of the United States army in the war of the rebellion, and that there was issued on the 14th day of September, 1868 to these Plaintiffs as children and minor heirs of the said Abram Beedle pension certificate number 118,704, by virtue of which there was allowed to the Plaintiffs the sum of eight dollars per month and two dollars per month additonal to each of said minor heirs for that date until the date at which they arrived at the age of sixteen years.

FOURTH:   That by virtue of said pension, certificate number 118,704 and her
authority as guardian of said minor heirs she, the said Mary J. Pickins
received from the United States government for the use and benefit of these
Plaintiffs the total sum $1618.93 and that shortly after receiving said money
she purchased with the same from one, Thomas Hankins the East 1/2 of the N.E.
1/4 of Section 27 - 69 - 41 Fremont County, Iowa, which said lands were conveyed to and placed in her name which said deed is dated Nov. 17th, 1868 and recorded in book 8, page 350 of records of deeds of said County:  That sometime prior to the first day of March 1870, she, with a portion of said pension money purchased of William Hurley and wife the West 1/2 of the N.W. of Section 26 - Township 69 - Range 41 and the same was conveyed and placed in the name of Daniel Pickins, the Defendant herein which deed of conveyance is dated March 5th 1869 and recorded  in book "K", page 349 of the records of deeds of said Fremont County, Iowa.  And that sometime about the 1st day of March 1870 in pursuance of a verbal agreement between the said Daniel Pickins and Mary J. Pickins, his wife of the one part and James H. Wilson and his wife of the second part to exchange lands, the said Daniel Pickins and Mary J. Pickins his wife by good and sufficient warranty deed dated March 1st, 1870, conveyed to the said James H. Wilson the West 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 of Section 26 and the East 1/2 of the N.E. 1/4 of Section 27 all in Township 69 - Range 41. And in consideration of the said transfer to the said James H. Wilson as aforesaid the said James H. Wilson and wife by good and sufficient warranty deed dated March 1st 1870 conveyed to and placed in the name of Daniel Pickins the West 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 of Section 1 - Township 69 - Range 42 (Containing eighty acres) and the undivided one half of the West 1/2 of the N.E. 1/4 of the N.W. 1/4 of Section 2 Township 69 - Range 42 (containing ten acres); and the same was received by the said Daniel Pickins with full knowledge of all the facts as to the lands which were conveyed to the said James H. Wilson in exchange for the land above described were lands he purchased with the pension money of these Plaintiffs as herein before stated to have been received from the United States Government by the said Mary J. Pickins; that on or about the 2nd day of August 1880 the Defendants, Daniel Pickins and Mary J. Pickins, his wife by good and sufficient warranty deed conveyed to the other Defendant, herein Joseph Reeves, junior the undivided one half of the West 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4  of the N.E. 1/4 of Section 2 - Township 69 - Range 42 (containing ten acres); and that the same was conveyed to the said Joseph Reeves, junior and recieved by him with the full knowledge of all the facts herein before stated and with a full knowledge that the said ten acres as last above described was the property of these Plaintiffs and that the same had been purchased with their pension money and was held in trust by the said Daniel Pickins for the use and benefit of these Plaintiffs; and that all the facts as herein set forth were well known to the said Defendant, Daniel Pickins and that the said transactions were had and done by him knowing at all times that the money invested in said lands and the lands so purchased with said money were the property of these Plaintffs; and was held in trust for them by the said Mary
J. Pickins and the said Daniel Pickins; and the said lands still remain in the name and under the control and are being used and cultivated by the said Daniel Pickins, except the ten acres conveyed to the said Joseph Reeves, junior as herein before stated.

FIFTH.    The plaintiffs further complaining of the Defendants say, that all
the facts and circumstances together with the amount of money received and paid for the purchase of lands, and the exchange thereof, together with the facts that said money and property belonged to said Plaintiffs was well known to the said Daniel Pickins at all times for the period at which the said money was paid by the government of the United States to the said Mary J. Pickins for the use and benefit of said Plaintiffs and that he well knew at the time said land was purchased of the said Hankins and Hurley and at the time of the said exchange of lands with the said Wilson when the same was placed in the name of Daniel Pickins that the consideration for said lands was and they were purchased with the pension money of these Plinstiffs and that in equity and good conscience all of said property was and is the property of these Plaintiffs.

SIXTH.  The Plaintiffs further say that when they became of age and had
attained their majority, the said Mary J. Pickens and the Defendant, Daniel
Pickins conceiling the fact that these Plaintiffs were the equitable owners of all of said property and fully recognizing their interest therein each
requested these Plaintiffs to allow the Defendant, Daniel Pickins and their
mother Mary J. Pickens to use and occupy these lands as tenants of these
Plaintiffs during her life time, as a means for her care and support, and that these Plaintiffs granted said request and have permitted this Defendant, Daniel Pickins and their mother Mary J. Pickins to use and occupy said land until the time of her death, which occurred in the month of February 1889 as a fore said he, the said Daniel Pickins promising and agreeing to transfer and convey to these Plaintiffs the legal title to said lands at their mother's death.

SEVENTH.  The Plaintiffs further say that they have each and all of them
attained their majority and that they have demanded of said Daniel Pickins that he convey to these Plaintiffs the real estate herein before described, which he holds in trust for these Plaintiffs as he promised to do and which he in equity and good conscience should be compelled to preform, but that the said Daniel Pickins refused and still refuses to convey said land to said Plaintiffs or in any manner indemnify them for said lands or pay them the value thereof, or in any manner whatever, reimburse them for the amount of money or property which justly belongs to them as herein before stated.
    Wherefore, the Plaintiffs herein pray your Honorable Court that they may
have a decree of this Court compelling said Daniel Pickins to convey to them
all of the West 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 of 26 - 69 - 41 - the West 1/2 of the S.W. 1/4 of Section I - Township 69 - Range 42, and that the said Daniel Pickins and Jospeh Reeves, junior be compelled to convey to said Plaintiffs the undivided one half of the West 1/2 of the N.W. 1/4 of the N.E. 1/4 of Section 2 township 69 + Range 42 all of said lands beings in Fremont County, Iowa and that these Plaintiffs be decreed to have a lien on said property for the sum of $1618.93 with interest thereon at six percent from the 4th day of September 1868, and that said lands be sold for the payment and satisfaction of said lein or that this Court decree, that they, the said Plaintiffs, are the absolute and unqualified owners of said lands and that the said Daniel Pickins and Joseph Reeves junior be forever barred and estopped from asserting any right to claim in, or control over any of said lands and they further pray this Court that they may have such other and further relief as the Court in the exercise of it's equitable jurisdiciton may find these Plaintiffs entitled and that they have their costs.
                                  (Signed) Frank P. Ireland and
                                            Harmon Stevens
                                    Attorneys for the Complainants.

State of Nebraska) SS.
Otoe County      )

I, John Beedle, being first duly sworn on my oath say that I am a resident
and citizen of the County of Cass and State of Nebraska.  That I am one of the complainants in the above entitled cause and that I  have heard the above and foregoing bill read and the contents thereof, and that the same and the
statements thereof are true as I verily believe.
                                       (Signed) John Beedle
Subscribed in my presence and sworn to before me this 13th day of June, 1896.
                                               Notary Public.
                                         (Signed) C.W. Seymore

From a Telephone conversation 9 May 1989, to Violet Beedle Adams, of San
Antonio, Texas, youngest daughter of Henry Jesse Beedle and Dora A. Proctor.
    Virginia is the last living of 9 children.  She said that Abram Beedle
was stationed at Gettysburg, Penn. at died of the fever.  He is buried in the
St. Joseph, Mo. National Cem.
   Abe Beedle is mentioned as being the nearest neighbor of John Proctor while living in Riverton, near Sidney, Iowa, about 1851.


Mary Jane HIATT

Fremont County Herald 27 Feb 1896 Vol XI #12 Page 3 Col 6
Dead - At Sidney Febuary 20, 1896, age 65 years 8 months Mrs. Daniel Pickens.
She was born in 1830 in Peoria, Illinois and at 20 she was married to Mr. Abram Beedle, who died in 1862 leaving 5 children.  On September 8, 1866 she was married to Daniel Pickens who, with her children are left to mourn her loss.  She has been a member of the Baptish Church since 1878 and had proven a persistant Christian woman.  Thus it is each day, whether warm and balmy or
snow tossed must have its sun set.  So it is in the lives of men and with the
retrospective eye how sweet it is to think that during the journey of life is
not always amid flowers and smooth path yet while on the rugged mountain path
the sunshine of love was ever upon her as her days draw to its close with
confidence that she wrap the drapery of her couch about her and using her
burden as a pillow and lays down as though to pleasant dreams.  Many are the
friends who sympathize with the bereaved husband and children and among these
the Herald wishes to have a place. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. O.D. Lighthizer from the Baptist Church after which the remains were interred in Sidney Cem.
   Certificate of Death in the County of  Fremont
#837  Date of Record, 20 Feb. 1896  Jane Pickens, age 64 yrs. 2 months
     died 20 Feb 1896, 8 P.M. Married, born Ill.  Female, White, Farmer
     Place of death, Sidney, Pneumonia, duration 5 days, buried Sidney,
   Date of burial 22 Feb 1896.  Physician W.G. Morris, Sidney, Iowa

                  1850 Andrew Co., Mo. Census
#1307 Abram Beedle age 20 born N.Y.
     Mary J.          20      Ind. (this should be Ill.)


Amos M. BEEDLE

  Found in Fremont Co., Iowa, Cemetery records.  Son of A. & MJ Beedle, d. 5
May 1852, ae 1 yr. 5 mo.


John W. BEEDLE

  Information from Fremont Co. Cem. book, and court proceedings against
Daniel Pickens.
  Information from Telephone conversation with Violet Beedle Adams, San
Antonio, Texas.  She states that John was never married, he lived in Union,
Neb. near family and requested to be buried in Sidney Cem, Iowa.


Daniel M. PICKENS

Information from personal records, Cem. records, Will, Court Records, etc.
Tombstone inscribed Daniel Pickens born Sept 8, 1826 died Jan 30, 1897.  AT REST  By their works ye shall know them.  It has a dove inscribed on the top.
He also has a civil war marker and a GAR star.  Marked Dan'l Pickens CO. E 30 IA. INF.

Daniel left a Diary of 1852-1865, he tells of travels from N.Y. to Iowa along the riverways of the Ohio, and Miss.  He aslo gives accounts of his Civil War exp.  His first wife, Lucy Jeanette Eddy thought he was killed and remarried Lon Streeter.  Story has it that he was a minister of the area. When Danial returned and found that she was remarried that he obtained a divorce and got custody of the children.  The oldest dau. Mary Jane, however, stayed with her mother and went to Minn. with her and her new husband, Lon Streeter.  She later returned to Iowa, following Indian troubles and settled in Atlantic, Iowa.

Daniel went to Sidney Iowa and remarried, Susannah (Hiatt) Beedle, whose first husband, Abram Beedle was killed in the civil war.  They had 3 additional children by his second marriage.  Two of those children, twins, died at about 18 yrs. old and had no family.
   There was apparently problems later between the stepchildren and Daniel, as those Beedle children later sued Danial for claims against lands and property which he had.
                      The Grand Army Advocate
                         "My Closest Call"
                            Memorial
                            Book Mark
  My closest call was at Ringgold, Ga. Dec 25, 1864 in line of battle; was shot through the left leg and lay the battle field till nine o'clock at night. I belong to C. E. 30th Ia. Infantry.
                                                   Daniel Pickens
                Sidney, Iowa

Fremont County Herald Thur. 4 Feb. 1897 Vol XII #9 page 3 col 6   Daniel Pickens was born in Chataqua County, N.Y., Sept 8, 1826 and died at Sidney, Iowa, Saturday, January 30, 1897, age 70 years 4 months 22 days.  At the age of 23, he was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Eddy, in New York, and in February 1854, they moved to Washington County Iowa, where they remained for 12 years.  To this union were born four children, all of whom are living.  In May of 1866, he again removed to Fremont County, wehre he remained until the time of his death.  In the fall of 1866 he was married to Mrs. Beedle and to them were born three children, the only living being Mrs. Etta McMullen.

   He went out in 1862, under the second call for men to maintain our nation, as a member of the 30th Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and made a brave and gallant soldier for 3 years.  He was a participant in the siege of Vicksburg, also at the battle of Lookout Mountain. After passing safely through this campaign, he was wounded the next day, at Ringold, Georgia, by being shot through both legs.  He spent 18 months in a southern hospital and was then mustered out.  The deceased was a member of GAR and IOOF Lodges of this city.  A large concourse of friends and relatives followed the remians to the cemetery Sunday afternoon, where the services were also conducted by IOOF.  Three sons and a duaghter, by his first wife, and one daughter, by his second, are left to mourn his demise.  The Herald joins the many friends in extending heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family..

In a letter sent to Aunt Ida by Iris and Ralph Pickens, of 926 So. 14th Lincoln, Neb. dated about 1948.

    Grandpa, fathers brother, was whale hunting in Africa long before the Civil War.    Hard to read? 4 month old Mary Jane went to live with mother Ida while father married Bird.  Taken moved to Minnesota.
    Cory, Charlie and Nancy 3 or 4 years later married Eastman.  Nancy married Thompson.
    Delia and Polly thought to be the same person.  Mary Jane was 3 years older then Broze, Broze 3 1/2 years old then Ida.

    Daniel left a Diary of 1852-1865, he tells of travels from Buffalo, Erie Co., New York to Iowa by way of riverboats.  He made surprising speed for those days, when travel was only a few miles a day.  He aslo gives accounts his time during the Civil War, he was 36 years old when he enlisted.  The old family story was that his wife thought he had been killed in the war and remarried a Stephen Streeter.  He was said to have been a minister, however, census records do find him married with children.  Also Daniel wrote of going to him for assistance for his family while he was gone to war.  It was quite a shock when returned and found that she was remarried.  He obtained a divorce and got custody of the children.  The oldest dau. Mary Jane, however, stayed with her mother and went to Minn. with her and her new husband, Stephen R. Streeter.  She later returned to Iowa, following indian troubles and settled in Atlantic, Iowa.

    Daniel went to Sidney Iowa and remarried, Susannah (Hiatt) Beedle, whose first husband was killed in the civil war.  They had 3 additional children by his second marriage.  Two of those children, twins, died at about 18 yrs. old and had no family.
   There was apparently problems later between the stepchildren and Daniel, as those Beedle children later sued Danial for claims against lands and property which he had.

                               Obituary:
   Died - At the home of his son in Sidney, Iowa, January 30, 1897.  Daniel Pickens aged 51 years, 3 months and 22 days.  Mr. Pickens was born in Chatauqua County, New York, September 8, 1826.  He was the son of William H. and Flora Pickens.  His mother died while he was a small boy.  He grew to manhood in his native county and in 1849 was married to Jeannette Eddy.  To this marriage there were four children born two boys and two girls.  In 1854 he settled in Washington county, Iowa, whither he was soon followed by his father and other members of the family.  In 1862, Mr. Pickens enlisted in Co. E 30 Iowa Volunteer Infantry.  He was an excellent soldier, a brave and loyal man.  He took part in the siege of Vicksburg and manfully bore his share of the hardships of that memorable evert.  He was also at the battle of Lookout Mountain.  He took part in 30 general engagements during his short service.  He was wounded at Ringgold, Georgia, the bone being shot away below the knee in the left leg, and after he had fallen he was shot throughthe other leg near the knee.  He lay upon the field of battle from 9 o'clock in the morning until 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  His wounds compelled him to remain in the hospital for eighteen months before he could be discharged.
   Mr. Pickens was married a second time in 1866 to Mrs. Beadle.  To this union there were born three children one of whom is living.  Mrs. Wm. McMullen.   Mr. Pickens came to Fremont county in 1866, where he resided to the time of his death.  He was a quiet unassuming, hard working man, a man who was true to his friends and loyal to his country, a man who was universally respected by those who knew him best.  All can unite in saying a good citizen and neighbor has gone from us.

   Mary Pickens writes that he was enlisted 2 Aug. and wounded 27 Nov. 1863 at Taylor's Ridge, Georgia.  Private Co. E. 13th Co.

   July of 1990 my family along with my Mother, Ruby Hiatt Anderson, took a trip to western Iowa and visited Brighton and Washington where we were able to visit the court house and got a lot of information.  We also visited Keokuk and while there stopped at a Paddle Boat Museum on the Mississippi River.  There we I looked up in the Way's Packet Directory information on a couple of River Boats which Daniel spoke of.

                             Way's Packet Directory
                                   1848-1983
                             by Frederick Way, Jr.
                                  pg. 189, #2343
                             Glenco Paddlewheeler
SW P Wh b.
   Side wheeler, Packet, Woodhall (Freight & Passenger)
b. - built Shousetown, Pa.  1870 and completed at Pittsburgh, 1871.  275 by 43 (floor 40) by 7.  Engines, 23 1/2s  8 ft. 6 ft. boilers, each 38 inches by 26 ft.  Engines by Inman, Gault & Co., formerly on Mary T. (see), rebuilt by Rees.   Owned by Capts. Thomas S. Calhoon and Jackman Taylor Stockdale, and designed for the Lousiville, New Orleans trade.  Left Pittsburg on first trip, Jan 19, 1871, and returned to Lousisville Feb. 22, 1871, Capt. T.S. Calhoon, with J.Q.A. Parr., Clerk.
   Later switched to St. Louis - New Orleans trade, stock held by the Glenco Transportation Co., Cpt. John Bofinger, pres. with T.S. Calhoon, sec.  Snagged and lost at Delta, La., near Vicksburg, Oct. 28, 1877.  Much equipment was slavaged including the whistle (later on the Katie Stockdale)  and chairs which had bought from the Marietta chair Co.

                               Glenco Paddlewheeler
          #2342,  S W P Wh b
   Side wheeler, Packet, woodhull built New Albany, Ind.  1846.  428 tons.
Ran St. Louis - New Orleans.  On Apr. 4, 1852.  Just in from New Orleans, she landed at the foot of Chestnut Street, St. Louis, and exploded.  All three boilers.  Forty or more lives were lost inlcuding a son of the captain, a clerk, a pilot, etc.
   For further information of interest and specific places and names, see the writings he left in a Diary, also containing his war records, etc

"United States Census, 1880," Etta Pickens in household of Daniel Pickens, Sidney, Fremont, Iowa

            FamilySearch_Historical_Records

Name: Etta Pickens
Residence: Sidney, Fremont, Iowa
Birthdate: 1875
Birthplace: Iowa, United States
Relationship to Head: Daughter
Spouse's Name:
Spouse's Birthplace:
Father's Name: Daniel Pickens
Father's Birthplace: New York, United States
Mother's Name: Mary J. Pickens
Mother's Birthplace: Illinois, United States
Race or Color (Expanded): White
Ethnicity (Standardized): American
Gender: Female
Martial Status: Single
Age (Expanded): 5 years
Occupation:
NARA Film Number: T9-0341
Page: 168
Page Character: D
Entry Number: 6089

Film number: 1254341

Household Gender Age Birthplace
SELF Daniel Pickens M 53 New York, United States
WIFE Mary J. Pickens F 50 Illinois, United States
SON Wheeler Pickens M 19 Iowa, United States
SON Charles Pickens M 10 Iowa, United States
DAU Jennie Pickens F 10 Iowa, United States
DAU Etta Pickens F 5 Iowa, United States
Lorenzo Beedle M 19 Iowa, United States
Elizabeth Harding F 20 Iowa, United States
Henry Beedle M 25 Iowa, United States

Source Citation

"United States Census, 1880," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MD26-Y5L : accessed 06 Sep 2012), Etta Pickens in household of Daniel Pickens, Sidney, Fremont, Iowa; citing sheet 168D, family 5, NARA microfilm publication T9-0341.

© 2012 IRI A service provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints


Death Rides the Waves of the Ohio River
by Jim Reis
Rev. P C Scott boarded the Steamer Redstone  about 2:30 pm on April 3, 1852, at Scott's Landing near Carrollton. He had been visiting his father near Carrollton and was on his way to preach the next day at a church in Warsaw. The Redstone was a packet operating between Cincinnati and Madison, Indiana. On the day of this accident it carried between 80 and 100 passengers.
"Two little girls were sitting at the dinner table when the boat landed, but being unable to drink their tea, on account of the shaking of the boat, became frightened and returned to the ladies cabin to read the Bible to drive away their fears," a witness later said.
"Mr. Scott was in the act of waving his hand in adieu to his mother and sisters, who were standing on the bank, when the explosion occurred. The Mirror said the Redstone, "was backing out from the Kentucky shoreline, when her boilers exploded with a tremendous noise, tearing the boat to atoms and causing her to sink in less than three minutes, in 20 feet of water. Her chimneys were blown halfway across the river. Spectators on the shore saw Rev. Scott and others, with fragments of the boat, actually blow up in the air," a witness was quoted in a contemporary news story. Rev. Scott's remains were later found in a wooded area, about half a mile away.
Witnesses said torn clothing and other items littered nearby trees. The Redstone's first clerk, O M Soper, was blown into the middle of the river but was unhurt. The two girls who had gone to read the Bible were rescued in part because the ladies cabin was the first place rescue workers searched. Estimates placed the dead at 35.
Steamboat travel in the 1800s could be dangerous, even deadly, and the history of the Ohio River is dotted with steamboat explosions. The following is a look at some of the steamboat accidents along the Northern Kentucky shoreline, as told through the newspapers accounts of the time.

Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836-1925   about Daniel Pickins
Name: Daniel Pickins
Birth Year: abt 1827
Birth Place: Yks
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Married
Census Date: 1885
Residence State: Iowa
Residence County: Fremont
Locality: Sidney
Roll: IA1885_188
Line: 1
Family Number: 72
Household Members: Name Age
Daniel Pickins 58
Mary J Pickins 54
Charles D Pickins 15
Jennie May Pickins 15
Etta M Pickins 9
Olonzo Beedle 24


Mary Jane HIATT

Fremont County Herald 27 Feb 1896 Vol XI #12 Page 3 Col 6
Dead - At Sidney Febuary 20, 1896, age 65 years 8 months Mrs. Daniel Pickens.
She was born in 1830 in Peoria, Illinois and at 20 she was married to Mr. Abram Beedle, who died in 1862 leaving 5 children.  On September 8, 1866 she was married to Daniel Pickens who, with her children are left to mourn her loss.  She has been a member of the Baptish Church since 1878 and had proven a persistant Christian woman.  Thus it is each day, whether warm and balmy or
snow tossed must have its sun set.  So it is in the lives of men and with the
retrospective eye how sweet it is to think that during the journey of life is
not always amid flowers and smooth path yet while on the rugged mountain path
the sunshine of love was ever upon her as her days draw to its close with
confidence that she wrap the drapery of her couch about her and using her
burden as a pillow and lays down as though to pleasant dreams.  Many are the
friends who sympathize with the bereaved husband and children and among these
the Herald wishes to have a place. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. O.D. Lighthizer from the Baptist Church after which the remains were interred in Sidney Cem.
   Certificate of Death in the County of  Fremont
#837  Date of Record, 20 Feb. 1896  Jane Pickens, age 64 yrs. 2 months
     died 20 Feb 1896, 8 P.M. Married, born Ill.  Female, White, Farmer
     Place of death, Sidney, Pneumonia, duration 5 days, buried Sidney,
   Date of burial 22 Feb 1896.  Physician W.G. Morris, Sidney, Iowa

                  1850 Andrew Co., Mo. Census
#1307 Abram Beedle age 20 born N.Y.
     Mary J.          20      Ind. (this should be Ill.)


Jennie May PICKENS

                   JENNIE PICKENS, Obituary
   DIED: --At her home in Sidney, May 2, 1888 at 9:30 P.M. Jennie May Pickens, aged 18 years, 4 months and two days.
   This news of the death of Miss Pickens although sad is not unexpected as she has been unable to leave her bed for several months, and for the past few weeks her death has been expected at any moment.  She was concious up to the
last, although she was unable to speak during the last few hours e're the Angels of death called her home, though to her they were without doubt, the happiest of her life.  She has been an earnest Christian all her life and the thought of soon receiving her reward showed itself in its last smile upon her face.  She was highly esteemed among her many friends and aquaintences in and around Sidney and the loss of her is deeply felt by all.  The bereaved family has the heart felt sympathy of the entire community.  Death at any time is terrible, but when one is called to stand at the bedside of a relative and friend and see them slowly approaching that veil which hides from us the great unknown, we are wont to question, "O, Death where is thy sting?, O, grave where is thy victory."

   Well do we know that it is better for a few short years, possibly hours when we too shall follow.  A parting now as one going into a far county, but the meeting will be everlasting:

            Call not back the dear departed,
              Anchored safely where storms are o'er;
            On the boarder lands we left them
              Soon to meet and part no more.
            When we leave this world of changes,
              When we leave this world of care,
            We shall find our missing loved one
              In our Fathers mansion fair

The funeral took place from the Baptist Church this (Thursday) afternoon at 3 P.M. and was conducted by Rev. F. M. Wadley of that church.!    There is a beautiful write up of her and her brothers death, as they were twins and as the sister went first, her brother, Charles was very grieved.
He took ill and never had the desire to recouperate.  They were buried next to each other in the Sidney Cem.

                                 Obituary:
   Died - At her home in Sidney, May 2, 1888 at 9:30 p.m. Jennie May Pickens, aged 18 years, 4 months and 2 days.
   This news of the death of Miss Pickens, although sad is not unexpected asshe had been unable to leave her bed for several months, and for the past few weeks her death has been ecpected at any moment.  She was conscious up to the last, although she was unable to speak during the last few hours e're the angel of death called her home, though to her they were without doubt, the happiest of her life.  She has been an earnest Christian all her life and the thought of soon receiving her reward showed itself in the last smile upon her face.  She was highly esteemed among her many friends and acquaintances in and around Sidney and the loss of her is deeply felt by all.  The bereaved family have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community.
   Death at any time is terrible, but when one is called to stand at the bedside of a relative and friend and see them slowly approaching that veil which hides from as the great unknown we are wont to question, "O, Death where is they sting ?  O, grave where is thy victory." Well do we know that it is but a few short years, possibly hours, when we too, shall follow.  A parting now as one going into a far country, but the meeting will be everlasting.

    Call not back the dear departed,
     Anchored safe where storm are o'er;
   On the border land we left them
     Soon to meet and part no more.
!
!    When we leave this world of changes,
      When we leave this world of care,
    We shall find our missing  loved one
     In our Father's mansion fair.
!
!   The funeral took place from the Baptist church this (Thursday) afternoon at 3:00 p.m. and was conducted by Rev. F.M. Wadley, of that church.


Charles D. PICKENS

   Coppock, Henry Co., Ia.
   May 14, 1888

     Mr. Charles Pickens

         Dear Cousin:
      K K K K K Today I will try and answer your letter which I have just
received by my being down here at Coppock with my sister.  I don't get my
letters only as my Father can send them, and Charles and I can not tel you how sorry I was for when I heard a bout Jennie.  I wanted to see her so bad, but if she was prepared to go she is better off but it is hard for one so young.  But we all have to go sooner or later and we know not how soon our time will come, so it best to be prepared to leave this world of sin and meet those that have gone before:
  And now dear cousin let me hear from you as I like to hear from my relatives sometimes we are having a great deal to much rain to suit the farmers here.
There hasent ben very much corn planted yet the ground was froze this morning. what do you think of that for Summer.  Charles, wont you send me one of your pictures I told Jennie I would send her one of mine so now I will send it any way the next time I write if I get to go to Washington.
   And why can you not come and see us we would all like to see you and would like to have you come.
    I am getting home sick for I haven't been home for over 2 weeks.  How is
that for high.  But then it don't take me long to get home sick.
    You had better come and go a fishing with  me my sister lives close to the river and there is someone fishing everyday.  This is all for this time so farewell.
    Hoping to hear from you soon.
                                Please write soon.
                             Alice Pickens
                 Direct your letters to Havre as before for I am going home to stay before long.
                        Your Cousin
                        Alice Pickens

Charles Pickens Obituray
    Saturday, Aug. 17, 1889 of consumption, Charles Pickens aged 19 years --
months -- days.
   The funeral services were held at the Methodist Church Sunday and was
conducted by the Rev. Jacobs, assisted by Rev. Howe, and Hughes.  The audiance was the largest we have seen in Sidney for many years.  The young man was born in this township and had a host of friends among the young people, who will sadly miss him from their midst.  Some two years ago, he had attended the revival meeting at the Methodist Church and gave his heart to God and from that time until the date of his death, he has been a member of the Baptist church and was a devoted Christian.  Only a few months ago his sister, Jennie, was removed from earth, and now they are united in light.  It was fitting that his funeral should be held at the Methodist Church, where he first experienced religion and to him is applicable in all their power and beauty the following lines:
             Sacred Hour, oh, hollowed spot,
               Where love divine first found me:
             Wherever falls my distant lot,
               I still shall hover around thee.

            And when I leave this world to soar,
               Up to my home in heaven,
             Downward will I cast mine eyes once more,
               Where I was first forgiven.

Where love divine first found him, and where he was first forgiven, was in
the Sidney Methodist Church, and from thenc the remains were borne to their
last resting place in Sidney's beautiful cemetery to which place they were
followed by a large number of relatives and friends.  The pall bearers were:
Oliver Story, Fred Crabb, M. Spitler, John Gray, C. Oehase and Daniel Good.
Old friends and school mates of the deceased.
   Charlie was a young man who gave promise to a bright future, but the
phrase, "Death loves a shining mark", was exemplified in this instant and he is now basking in the sunlight of a Saviors love.  The bereaved relatives have the heart felt sympathy of the entire community in this their hour of trouble.  They have the sweet consolation of knowing that in bidding Charlie goodnight in this veil of tears is only that they may bid him goodmorning over there.

                              Obituary:
   Pickens - At eleven o'clock Saturday morning, August 17, 1889, Charles
Pickens, of consumption, age 19 years, 6 months and 29 days.
   A year ago last winter Charley and his twin sister, Jennie, were taken
down with the measles, from which they did not recover until last in the
spring, leaving both with greatly impaired lungs.  Charley apparently rallied
and went to work in the furniture factory while Jennie rapidly went into
consumption and on the 4th day of May last year was buried.
   The boy, possessing a large, generous heart filled with love for his twin
sister, seemed to lose his ambition with her death, and soon after began
showing evident signs of going the same road as his sister.  Not unil the last moment did he give up absolutely too weak to longer stand.  During the month of June his parents took him our into Nebraska in an easy riding vehicle, hoping the change might be benefical, but at Beatrice the trip had to be abandoned, and the boy brought back on the cars.  Every thing possible for the comfortand care of the slowly dying son was done by the loving and broken-hearted parents.
   The father has stood beside his boy for six months and paid no attention to his businessor anything else. Charley was a Christian boy, having given his heart to Christ three years ago during a revival held by Rev. Detwiler.  He united with the Baptist church and was an active, interested member of the
Young People's Christian League so long as he was able to be about.  He wasburied on Sunday moring from the Methodist Church, the sermon being preached by Rev. A. Jacobs.  The large room would not near hold the large gathering of friends who came to pay their last repects to a boy they had loved in life and honored in death.  The twins -brother and sister- are now united in spirit in heaven above, where sickness and sorrow can ne'er overtake them.  This thought should be a healing balm to the sorrowing family who have watched their pale faces through so many weary hours.
       Letter from his cousin Alice, daughter of  Orange S. Pickens
                                         Coppock, Henry Co. Iowa
                                         May 14, 1888
                                         Mr. Charles Pickens
                           Dear Cousin:
             K K K K K
    Today I will try to answer your letter which I have just received.  By my being down here at Coppock with my sister, I don't get my letters only as my father can send them.
   And Charles, I cannot tell you how sorry I was for you all when I heard
about Jenny.  I wanted to see her so bad, but if she was prepared to go, she is better off.
   But it is hard for one young.  But we all have to go sooner or later and we know not how soon our time will come, so it is best to be prepared to leave this world of sin and to meet those that have gone before.
   And now dear cousin, let me hear from you, as I like to hear from my
relatives. (Once)  Sometimes we are having a great deal too much rain to suit
the farmers here.  There hasn't been very much corn planted yet.  The ground
was froze this morning.  What do you think of that for Summer Charles.  Won't
you send me one of your pictures?
   I told Jenny I would send her one from me, so now I will send it anyway.
The next time I write, if I get to go to Washington.
   And why can you not come and see us.  We would all like to see you and be
glad to have you come.
   I am getting homesick, for I haven't been home for over two weeks.  How is that for being grit. Then it don't take me long to get homesick.  You had
better come and go a fishing with me.  My sister lives close to the river and
there is someone fishing every day.
   This is all for this time, so farewell.  Hope to hear from you soon.
                                   Please write soon.
                                Alice Pickens
   Direct your letters to Harve, as before, for I am going home to stay before long.                                  Your Cousin
                                         Alice Pickens


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