1914 Delaware County History pgs. 460-463
Putnam Hatfield
Through
well directed business activity and enterprise Putnam Hatfield has gained
recognition as one of the prosperous farmers of Delaware county. He
owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on sections 10 and 15, Delaware township,
and an adjoining tract of eighty acres, so that his possessions now embrace two
hundred and forty acres.
He was born
in Chautauqua county, New York, August 11,
1859, and
is a son of Nathan and Sophia (Windsor) Hatfield, both natives of the
Empire state. In the spring of 1869 the family made their way to the middle west, locating on a farm in Delaware county and becoming representative
citizens of this section of the state. Throughout a long period the father was
identified with agricultural pursuits here and through his death in April,
1904, the community sustained a deep loss. The mother is still living at the
advanced age of eighty-two years. Their family numbered ten children: Clarinda,
the wife of Charles Wilcox, a resident of Benton, Illinois; Ira, a resident of Clayton
county, Iowa; Martin, of Delaware county; T. W., who makes his home in Greeley,
Iowa; Putnam, of this review; Carrie, the wife of E. J. Tyrell, of Clayton
county; Nathan, also of Clayton county; Otis, who lives in South Dakota;
William, a resident of Canada; and Edgar, also of Clayton county, Iowa.
Putnam
Hatfield was reared at home and assisted in the operation of his father's farm
until he had reached his majority, when he began life on his own account by
working at farm labor. He eventually found himself possessed of a capital that
enabled him to engage in farming on his own account and to this end he rented
land for several years. However, in 1900 he invested his money in a tract of
one hundred and sixty acres, situated on sections 10 and 15, Delaware township,
and later he enlarged his acreage by the purchase of an additional tract of
eighty acres, so that his property now embraces two hundred and forty acres in Delaware township. Under his able management
it has become productive and valuable. On the place is a comfortable farm
residence and substantial outbuildings, and in its entirety it presents a neat
appearance.
It was in
the year 1883 that Mr. Hatfield established a home of his own through his
marriage to Miss Mary E. Miinch, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Adam and Philipine (Hagenborne) Miinch, whose family numbered four children. The parents
were both born in Germany but emigrated
to America in an early day and here spent their
remaining years, the father passing away in October, 1906, while the mother was
called to the home beyond in 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield have been born
three children: Otto Lee, deceased; John A., living on the home farm, who is married and has two children, Harold and Ada Marie; and Charles J., at home.
The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr.
Hatfield is a member of the Grange. He is truly a self-made man, for, starting
out in life in the humble capacity of a farm laborer, he has through his industry,
honesty and integrity won not only a goodly property but an excellent
reputation that enrolls him among the county's substantial and desirable
citizens.
Back
to Biographies
Back to Main Page
Back to Iowa AHGP
Back to AHGP