Thomas J. Hart

As printed in 1887

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Silas Hart, the father, was born in 1809, and died in 1870, in his native State. Hannah Hart, the mother, was born in 1813, and is still living in the county and State of her birth. Nine children came to bless their fireside, whom they named as follows: John E., T. J., Isaac, Alexander, Dunham, Fina M., Joseph, Rebecca, Mary E.

Thomas Hart and Miss Ellen Kenney united their fortunes on the lath of November, 18G0. M is. Hart was born March 2, 1838, in Delaware County, Ohio, and was the daughter of Albert and Susan (Buzzard) Kenney. Her father was a native of Virginia, and her mother of Maryland. Albert Kenney was born May 3, 1803, and lived to the good old age of eighty-three years, dying July 2, 1886, in the State of Ohio. He was, in every sense of the word, an honest man, '-the noblest work of God," and, although not identifying himself with any religious denomination, adhered strictly to the principles of the Great Teacher who said, "Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you." He leaned toward the Universalist faith, and in his political affiliations was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. The mother was born Sept. 27, 1802, and is still living in the Buckeye State. This worthy couple became the parents of ten children, as follows: Anne Eliza was born Aug. 9, 1828; Joseph L., May 13, 1830; Susan, Jan. 8, 1832; Sophia, March 13, 1834; Louisa, Feb. 20, 1836; John P. and Sarah G, in November, 1843. The two latter were twins; John lived to manhood, became a soldier in the late Civil War, and yielded up his life for his country; Alexander was born Dec. 25, 1847, being a Christmas gift to his parents.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hart were born four children, three of whom are living and one deceased. The record is as follows: John F., born Nov. 27, 1862; Cora D., Oct. 24, 1864, died Sept. 30, 1865; Annie F., born Sept. 3, 1 s66; Forest, Sept. 28, 1875.

The subject of our sketch came to the State of Iowa in November, 1870. He is the possessor of 275 acres of first-class farming land, and has one of the finest homesteads in the county. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically Mr. Hart is a stand supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. Since his arrival in the State, he has identified himself with its interests, and is considered one of its most valuable citizens. He has done all in his power to assist in building up his own community, and is considered one of its mainstays.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.