Individual Details

Biography

Hiram Harvey Connell was born on August 7, 1844 in N. Georgetown, OH. He served as a member of Co. D. 115 Regiment Ohio Infantry at Winchester, OH (He enlisted Aug. 14, 1862 and discharged due to disability at Camp Chase, OH Jan. 31, 1863). His discharge was due to partial paralysis of the muscle in the left leg and foot and partial surditis resulting from a long and severe attack of typhoid fever while enlisted in the Army.

Hiram married Nancy Jane Williston (daughter of Joseph and Angelina Williston) on July 10, 1864 in Moultry, Knox Twp. Columbiana Co. OH, performed by John Nicholson, Min. (John Nicholson [1824-1904] was a minister for the German Baptist Brethren, starting out in western PA and on to northeastern Ohio in the 1860's)

Nancy Jane Williston was born on April 22, 1845 in Georgetown, OH. She was left an orphan when six years old. Her father and mother died just two weeks apart, and after their death she lived with her grandparents until her marriage. [Her mother died June 5, 1852, age 29y 5m 9d and buried in Reading Cemetery Knox Twp.]



Hiram and Nancy commenced married life in Kosciusko county, Indiana, where they lived one year and from there came to Poweshiek county, Iowa in 1867. In 1869 they moved to Lafayette county, Missouri. Hiram and Nancy united with the German Baptist (or Tunker) Church in Sept. 1871 in Jonson Co. MO. In 1875 the grasshoppers ate everything green. They loaded all of their possessions in a covered wagon in late fall of 1875. A stove was in the wagon to keep them warm. Hiram, Nancy and family along with another family by the name of Lytle moved back to Brooklyn, Iowa. Upon arrival, Hiram worked for Holmes Lumber Co. in Brooklyn. Not long afterwards he went to work for Mr. Libby who had a large tract of land SW of Guernsey and involved in farming and stock raising. Mr. Libby had two or three others working for him also. In the 1880 census he is listed as a laborer living in Brooklyn, Poweshiek Co. IA. In 1882 they changed their membership to the Brethren Church of Brooklyn, IA. They were the first 2 of the 6 charter members of this church. In 1883 they moved to Lincoln township where Hiram started a cement block factory. They lived on the English River, north end of the "Ridge". Hiram was a very proud man of his dress and always looked neat. He never followed the dress code of the German Baptist Brethren. He enjoyed fruit trees, especially apple. He also had beautiful chickens with the long tails which they allowed to roost in the trees. Hiram insisted a piece of pie be placed in front of his plate at every meal. He would eat the pie first before his meal. If the pie was not present at the meal he would refuse to eat. While living in Deep River Hiram made a trip to Texas and purchased a ranch in New Mexico. His knowledge of ranching was poor and eventually his sons, Tira and Willie went down and sold the ranch for him. After Nancy's death he would take his meals at his son's (Tira) house.

Nancy was very heavy set woman in her later years. She died on February 4, 1899 at her home two and one half miles west of Guernsey, Iowa of lagrippe. Funeral services were held in the Brethren church of south Brooklyn, by Rev. J.O. Falley, of Chicago. She is buried in Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery, Sec. 8, Row 5; Brooklyn, IA. [Nancy Connell Obituary]

After Nancy's death, his daughter, Minnie and son came to live with Hiram. They moved into Deep River in 1904. She stayed until 1905 when she moved back out to the country. At this time, Hiram's sister, Anne Warner, came to live with him for awhile, but moved back to Muncie, Indiana. He then left for New Mexico.

Hiram purchased land in New Mexico, staked off and set apart a tract of land from which to erect a church building. (The church had not been built at the time of his death). He was a member of the school board of his district. He died on April 12, 1908 in Nara Visa, Union Co. NM. He was buried in Brooklyn Memorial Cemetery, Brooklyn, IA. Sec. 8, Row 5. [Hiram Connell Obituary]