COL. A. M. HARE,
one of the pioneers of this county, and a resident of the city of Muscatine,
was born near Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1811, and is a son of Jacob Hare, who
was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and served as a soldier under William
Henry Harrison in the War of 1812. He
married Miss Mary Teeters, who was of Scotch parentage, but a resident of
Highland County, Ohio, and in an early day they emigrated to Ross County, Ohio,
the year the land came into market. Mr.
Hare subsequently removed to Franklin County, Ohio, locating on land near where
the city of Columbus now stands. He also owned land situated within the present
city limits. He was among the first who developed a farm in that county, where
he resided many years. Mr. and Mrs. Hare were the parents of six sons and five
daughters, of whom the following named survive: Jeremiah, who is a resident of
Marysville, Cal.; A. M., of this sketch; Benjamin F., a resident of Columbus,
Ohio; Nancy, who married a Mr. Bruce, and now resides in California; Susan,
wife of William Parkins. The parents were both members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and were honorable, upright people, highly respected by all.
They both died in Franklin County, Ohio.
Col. Hare is one of the self-made men of this county. He did
not have the educational advantages afforded by our present system of common
schools, but on seeing the need of an education, when starting out in life, he
purchased books, and by close application secured a fund of knowledge and
information which many who have received good advantages may well envy. When
fifteen years of age he went to Dayton, Ohio, and served an apprenticeship of
three years to the trade of hatter, receiving only $40 per year and his board.
In 1830 he left that city for London, Madison Co., Ohio, where he worked at his
trade until the following spring, when he went to Virginia, but remained there
only a short time, returning to London in July, 1831. He embarked in business
for himself at that place, there following his chosen avocation for ten years,
when he removed to Jefferson, a small village in the same county, where he
again opened a shop, making hats for the people.
On the 20th of October, 1836, Mr. Hare was united in
marriage with Miss Sarah Olmstead, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio. One
child graced their union, Danforth, who now resides in Wayne County, Iowa. On
the 26th of December, 1837, the wife and mother was called to her final rest,
and the following year Mr. Hare came to Iowa to find a location, not wishing to
stay in Ohio after his family was all broken up. Muscatine County was then a
wild and unsettled wilderness, and he made no selection, but in 1841 he
returned to this State and located permanently in Muscatine, where he embarked
in the manufacture of hats. In 1844 Mr. Hare was again united in marriage, with
Miss Emeline P. Austin, and to them were born two children who are yet living:
Austin J., a resident of this county; and Ida, wife of Frank Warfield, who is
living in Muscatine. The death of Mrs. Hare occurred Aug. 22, 1882. She was a
consistent Christian lady, and belonged to the Congregational Church. While
engaged in business in Muscatine Mr. Hare purchased his farm in Sweetland
Township, which is known as the Sunnyside Stock Farm.
In the dark days of the Rebellion Gov. Kirkwood offered Mr.
Hare a commission as Colonel of the 11th Iowa Infantry, which he accepted, and
did much toward organizing the regiment, which was later mustered in at
Davenport. They there remained for a short time, after which they were ordered
to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, and were finally sent to Jefferson City, Mo.,
where the regiment was divided, some of its members being sent to California,
Mo., and the remainder to Fulton, Callaway Co., Mo., remaining there during the
winter looking after the guerrillas. In the spring the men were ordered to St.
Louis, and from there were sent to Pittsburg Landing, taking a prominent part
in that battle. The Colonel was assigned to a brigade under Gen. McClernand,
having command of the 11th Iowa, the 13th Iowa, and the 8th and 18th Illinois
Regiments. The Colonel displayed much tact and courage, and was complimented by
Gen. McClernand for some of his movements. He was wounded in the hand and wrist,
losing one finger, after which his health failed and he was compelled to
resign.
SOURCE: Portrait and
Biographical Album of Muscatine County, Iowa, Acme Publishing Company,
Chicago, Illinois, 1889, p. 167-8
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