Page 555

 

A. HAMBLIN

 

Washington township numbers Arthur A. Hamblin among its substantial farmers, for he now owns a valuable property of one hundred and sixty acres, wheron he has made his home since 1877.  He was born in New York, January 15, 1855, and comes of English descent, his ancestors having come to the United States on the Mayflower.  The paternal grandfather, Winslow Hamblin, made his home in the Empire state.  His son Daniel became the father of our subject, while another son, Dennis Hamblin, served in the Civil war with the rank of lieutenant.  Daniel Hamblin wedded Miss Anne Kinion, who is now deceased, while he makes his home with his son Frank and has now reached the very advanced age of eighty-four years.  Mrs. Daniel Hamblin was one of a family of six children, her brothers and sisters being:  George and Allen, who served in the Civil war; Dr. Frank Kinion, a resident of New York; Conley; and Mary.  By her marriage Mrs. Hamblin became the mother of three sons: Horace, a farmer (page 556) of Bedford, Iowa; Frank, who makes his home in Sharpsburg, this state; and Arthur A., of this review.

 

The last named was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home.  He was early trained to the duties of the home farm, assisting his father in the work of the fields during the plowing, planting and harvesting seasons.  He remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age and then purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington township.  At that time, however, it was all wild prairie, covered with the native grasses, but Mr. Hamblin at once undertook the work of developing and improving the place, and in due time placed the fields under a good state of cultivation, while a comfortable residence and substantial farm buildings also add much to the value and appearance of the property.  Year by year he has worked persistently and energetically in carrying on his business and his labors have not been without reward, for he annually gathers good crops, which add to his financial resources.  This farm has been his home for more than thirty-two years and today he looks over his broad fields with a just pride, feeling that it has been through his own labors that they have been brought to their present fine state of cultivation.

 

It was only about a year after Mr. Hamblin purchased this property that he sought a companion and helpmate for life, choosing Miss Edna Akey to preside over his household.  They were married in Taylor county in December, 1878.  She has a brother, Guy Akey, who is a well known farmer of Marshall township, this county.  The home of Mr. and Mrs. Hamblin has been blessed with three daughters and three sons, namely: Amasa; Cora, the wife of Elmer Dutton, a resident farmer of this county; Olive; Bessie, the wife of Charles Reeder, who follows farming in Illinois; Ray, who at the age of fourteen years is attending school at Gravity; and Frank, who is nine yeas of age and is also in school.

 

Mr. Hamblin belongs to the Presbyterian church of Gravity, in which he is serving as an elder, his daily life being in strict harmony with his professions.  When he took up his abode in Washington township, much of the land was still in a wild state and his own farm required much arduous labor to bring it to its present standard.  In the years that have passed he has accomplished much and is today classed with the county's most substantial residents, his public-spirited citizenship being an influential factor in the community in which he lives.