Died from a heart attack in Portland, Oregon. Was on his way to work and had
a heart attack.
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 daysFamily 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 71860 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 64Marriage 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 ClerkJohn'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
MarkBe 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
Found in Proctor Conn., pg 91. She married first a Palmer, secondly to Rodermel.
Probate Record #2, case #935
Fremont County District CourtI, 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. HiattThe 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 ClerkThe 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-261
Illinois Marriages to 1850 about Susannah Hiatt
Name: Susannah Hiatt
Spouse: John Perry
Marriage Date: 29 Nov 1849
Marriage County: McLean
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.
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 Ohio1856 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 1Also 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
MarkWe, 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.
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.
Died young.
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 daysAll 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 1873Frank 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. 1905Isaac 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 daysAnn 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 daysHazel B. Jones 1890 - 1944
Benton Jones 1851 - 1937 & Laura Ann Jones 1852 - 1936John 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 - 1913George 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.
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.
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.
Sent by Joyce Kindred.