Benjamin Hartley



Benjamin Hartley

Benjamin Hartley, who since 1903 has owned and operated the Mount Hope farm, located eleven miles southwest of new Albin, is one of Allamakee county’s native sons, his birth having occurred in Union City township in 1870. His father, John W. Hartley, was born in England, and when he was four years of age was brought to America by his parents, the family landing in New York in 1848, and after a short period moving to Wisconsin. They moved to Allamakee county, Iowa, in 1853, and here the father assisted with the work of the homestead until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Union army, serving with credit and ability for one year, and at the end of that time receiving his honorable discharge. After he was mustered out he returned to Iowa and purchased land in Union City township, later selling his first tract and buying again in the same section. In 1868 he married Miss Sarah G. Ratcliffe, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, and they began their wedded life on this farm, where they remained until 1881. In that year the father sold his holdings in Union City township and bought land in French Creek township, whereon he has resided since that time, gradually adding to his holdings until he now owns nearly one thousand acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. He has survived his wife for many years, her death having occurred in 1889. They became the parents of the following children: Joseph, of Union City township; Benjamin, of this review; Charlotte H., the wife of A. L. McClintock, of Rossville, Iowa; Mary, who lives in Chicago, Illinois; J. Leonard, who is engaged in lumbering in the state of Washington; Helen S., who is superintendent and head nurse in the Tuberculosis Tent Colony in Ottawa, Illinois; Frank, who lives in Allamakee county; Thomas, of Idaho; and Sarah, the wife of Charles Berkey, of California.

Benjamin Hartley acquired his education in the public schools of Allamakee county, and graduated in 1895 from the commercial department of the Nora Springs Seminary of Floyd county, Iowa. From his early childhood he assisted with the work of the homestead, thus becoming, before he reached manhood, a practical and able agriculturist. He remained at home until he was thirty years of age, and then rented land in Union City township, which he operated for three years. At the end of that time he bought the Mount Hope farm, located about eleven miles southwest of New Albin, and upon this he has since resided, being today considered one of the most progressive and substantial farmers of this vicinity. He owns three hundred and twenty acres of land and upon it carries on diversified farming, raising grain and breeding and selling high-grade stock, both branches of his activities being well managed and profitable.

In 1900 Mr. Hartley married Miss Carrie F. Bulman, a native of Union City township, and a daughter of Thomas and Phoebe (Stocks) Bulman, who were born in England. Their marriage occurred in that country, and in 1848 they came to America, settling first in New Orleans, Louisiana, for one year. They removed to Evansville, Indiana, where they remained a number of years, but in 1854 they came to Iowa and, settling in Allamakee county, took up government land in Union City township, whereon they continued to reside until the father retired from active life in 1888. They then moved into Waukon, and there the mother died in 1892. Her husband survives her and is still living in Waukon, having reached the age of eighty-five. To their union were born twelve children, of whom Mary, John H., Samuel and Phoebe have passed away. The others are: Alice, the widow of Rev. L. M. Green of Idaho; James T., who is residing on the old homestead in Union City township; Emma J., the wife of Alfred Beardmore of Union City township; Thomas S., who resides in Pawnee, Oklahoma; Carrie F., wife of the subject of this review; Jason C., of Allamakee county; Walter W., an attorney of Chariton, Iowa; and Anna P., the wife of William Rayburn of Portland, Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Hartley became the parents of three children, the eldest of whom died in infancy. The others are: Allen B., born in 1902, and Cecil G., whose birth occurred in 1904. The family are members of the Presbyterian church, the church building and the school being both located on Mr. Hartley’s farm.

Fraternally Mr. Hartley is identified with the Brotherhood of American Yeomen and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He takes an active and intelligent interest in community affairs and is always ready to do all in his power to promote the general advancement and development, but he is not in any sense an office seeker, although he is serving as justice of the peace at the present time. In his native community he is known and honored as a man of strict business and personal integrity, and by his upright, straightforward and industrious life has added something to the respect and esteem in which the family name has long been held in this part of Iowa.


-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Linda Earnheart

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