The Hiatt Family

Allen Hiatt in Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa

The full biographical sketch as printed, transcribed from the public-domain book. Spelling and wording are the original author’s; a few scanning errors may remain.

ALLEN HIATT.

One of the valued and prominent pio- neer residents of Henry county was Allen Hiatt, who was born June 6, 1795, in North Carolina, and died in this county November 2. 1885, at the age of ninety 3'ears, four months and tw^enty-six days. For some years he resided in A\^ayne county, Indiana, and in 1852 came to Iowa, where he engaged in the nursery business, being for some time a partner of his son-in-law, Isaac T. Gibson, still a prominent resident of Salem. He met with a fair measure of success in his busi- ness life but the acquirement of capital \vas not alone the end and aim of his ex- istence. Many have reason to bless his memory for what he did to ameliorate the hard conditions of life and he was moreover a prominent and influential man in public affairs. A gentleman of broad culture and natural refinement he was a self-made man, whose advancement re- sulted entirely from his own efforts. His was a well rounded character of splendid physical and moral development, and he looked at life from a common-sense view that enabled him to accomplish much

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good by reason of his practical efforts and keen discernment. In Indiana he served as justice of the peace and following his removal to A\'ayne county he was elected state senator, serving as a member of the upper house of the legislature with credit to himself and to his constituents. His early political allegiance was given to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party which he continued to support until his death. Mr. Hiatt w^as united in mar- riage to Miss Rhoda Hunt, a native of North Carolina, born about 1799. There were six children of this marriage, of whom the youngest, Susanna, is deceased. The second daughter, Gulielma, was born November 19, 182 1, and died Jan- uary 29, 1883, at the age of sixty-one years, two months and ten days. She became the wife of Albert Wliite, who died soon after their marriage and ]\Irs. White was an invalid ever afterward and was cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Gibson. John M., third member of the Hiatt fam- ily, wedded Mary Teesdale, and after her death wedded her sister, Emma ]M. He was a trader among the Indians and was thoroughly familiar with pioneer life and the experience of the west. He was prov- ost marshal of the southern district of Iowa during the period of the Civil war and prior to the period of hostilities he was elected a member of the state legis- lature. He afterward served as mayor of Keokuk and was well known in po- litical circles throughout the state. Anna M., now Mrs. Gibson, was the next mem- ber of the family. Minerva E., deceased, is the youngest. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hiatt went to California

in 1848, and soon afterward married Emma Teesdale, a sister of his first wife. They had .nine children, of whom eight died in infancy, one died at the age of eighteen years.

Allen Hiatt is spoken of as "one of the best men that ever lived," doing much good for the commu- nity by his kindly actions, his gen- erous spirit and his noble purposes. As an early settler he aided largely in reclaiming this district for the purposes of civilization and in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present pros- perity and progress of the county. The circle of his friends was almost co-ex- tensive with the circle of his acquaintance and he was honored with the possession of those traits of character which in every land and clime command respect and confidence.

REV.

Source: Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa. See the original pages at the Internet Archive.