| Notes |
The History of Marion County, Iowa
John W. Wright and W. A. Young, supervising eds. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1915.
Hiram T. Stapp - page 31
The year 1866 witnessed the arrival of Hiram T. Stapp in Marion county and he remained a continuous resident of the county until he was called to the home beyond. He was well known in Columbia and Washington township and in other sections of the county, and wherever he went he made friends by reason of his sterling worth and many excellent traits of character. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, August 12, 1840, a son of Joseph Stapp, who lived and died in the south. The son acquired his education in southern schools and at the outbreak of the Civil war enlisted in the Confederate army. Later he came to the north, and because his opinions had changed regarding the condition of affairs, he enlisted at Crawfordsville, Indiana, for service in the Union army, with which he continued until honorably discharged at the close of hostilities.
In the following year, or in 1866, Mr. Stapp made his way westward to Iowa, reaching Knoxville, Marion county, on the 2nd day of March. He worked for others for a time and then purchased property in the village of Columbia. At length he acquired farm land and from that time forward followed agricultural pursuits and stock-raising until his death. He always held to high ideals in relation to his work and he added to his farm many valuable improvements. The place was divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and in the pastures could be found good grades of stock. Barns and other outbuildings afforded ample shelter for grain and for his cattle and horses, and when invention brought out new machinery he secured it to promote the work of the fields. He loved all kinds of animals and became very indignant upon seeing them abused. It is needless to state, therefore, that the stock upon his place was well treated and he did not a little to improve the grade of farm animals raised in this sec
On the 8th of March, 1868, Mr. Stapp was united in marriage to Miss Juliett Kiger, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Huffman) Kiger, who had five children, two of whom are deceased. Mrs. Kiger died in 1847 and subsequently the father was again married. About 1850 he came to Marion county, Iowa, in search of a home, locating in Washington township, where he devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising. He gave his political allegiance to the democracy but never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. He passed away on the 17th of April, 1892, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his remains were interred at Columbia.
The death of Mr. Stapp occurred on the 14th of August, 1902, and he was laid to rest in the Columbia cemetery. Two years after his demise his widow took up her abode in Columbia, where she now resides. She is widely and favorably known and has many friends in the village and throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Stapp voted with the democratic party and always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he was able to support his position by intelligent argument. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church and his Christian faith guided him in all the relations of life, making him a man whom to know was to esteem and honor.
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OBITS:
H.T. Stapp
Concerning the life of the late H.T. Stapp, whose death was noted last week, a somewhat dilatory correspondent sends the following:
Hiram Thomas Stapp was born in Atlanta, Georgia, August 12, 1840. He came to Iowa in 1867 and resided in Lucas and Marion counties till his death, which occurred Aug. 14, 1902 at the age of 62 years and 2 days.
"Mr. Stapp married Miss Julia Ette Kiger March 8, 1868, who survives him. Mrs. Stapp carefully nursed her husband and did all that a faithful wifecould do during his illness and she has this enconium as a priceless heirloom from her dying husband. Mr Stapp was ill for several weeks during the last winter but after a short period of convalescence he took suddenly worse eight weeks before his death and gradually sank to his death. He was strangely rendered speachless during the final seven weeks of his illness. Mr Stapp was drafted into the southern army, but soon left it and joined the union army, and served his country faithfully. Mr Stapp has no children, though he was a lover of children. He had many kind traits of character; was a friend to the poor, and always gave willingly to his means to relieve their suffererings. His funeral services were conducted by Rev. E B Scroggan from his late home one-half mile north of Columbia."
Died, at his home one-foruth of a mile north of Columbia on August 12, 1902, H.T. Stapp, aged 67 years. The diceased leaves a wife but no children. He had been in poor health for years with a chronic brain trouble and in 1897 suffered a stroke in paralysis from which he never fully recovered. The Stapp family came to Marion county some time during the half decade which ended with 1865. Some of his acquaintances in this city claim that Mr. Stapp was a soldier in the war of the rebellion, and that he enlisted from this county; others are of the opinion that he did not come to Iowa until after the war closed, and that he had been a confederate soldier. Be this as it may he was a well known Washington township farmer and horseman and accumulated considerable property.
The funeral service were held on the afternoon of August 13.
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WILL OF H.T. STAPP
In the name of God Amen I H.T. Stapp of Columbia Marion County Iowa being of sound mind and memory do hereby make publicly and declare this to be my last Will & Testament herby seeking(?) and making void all former wills by me at any time hereafore made
First I order and direct My Executrix as soon after my dicease as practicable to pay off and discharge all the debts due and liabilities that may exist against me at the time of my dicease
Second. I give and bequeath unto my wife Juliaette Stapp all my preoperty both personal and real moneys & credits
Third I hereby nominate and appoint my wife Juliaette Stapp as executrix
In witness whereof I have hereinto subscribed my name (by mark) This 6th day of July A.D. 1902
H.T. (his X mark) Stapp
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UNION CIVIL WAR PENSION FILE OF H.T. STAPP, #691571
State of Iowa, County of Marion
19 July 1890
H.T. Stapp of Co K, 140th Reg't Ind Inf
We certify that the applicant is suffering from the following disability: "Dislocation of right Elbow and fracture of left collar bone and dislocation left shoulder. Liver and heart disease. Fracture of left collar bone and shoulder 10 years ago. I had my arm broken in 1867 by being thrown from a horse. I think I have some form of heart disease." Upon examination, we find the following objective conditions:
Pulse Rate: 60 Respiration: 24 Temperature: 99 Feet: 5 Inches: 8 Weight: 142
State of Iowa, Marion County
Comes before me Eli Whittatch, a physician declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows that on or about August 18th, 1880, I was called upon to reduse a fracture of collar bone and dislocation of shoulder for claimant H.T. Stapp who had been set upon by a vitious (sic) bull and injured by braiking (sic) his collar bone and dislocating his shoulder. I know these facts from having been called upon as a physician to treat him in said case.
State of Iowa, Marion County
Comes before me Hiram T Stapp claimant and declares the following, that on the 18th day of August 1880, I was leading my bull from the stable to the pasture on my farm in Lucas County, Iowa, the bull became unruly, attacked me, throwing me up and as I fell I struck my shoulder on the root of a tree fracturing my collar bone and dislocation my shoulder. Since I have but little use of that arm and shoulder.
Deparment of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions
...it is essential that your name in full be made known to this Bureau on the reverse side of this letter.
(on back side of letter is written:)
Columbia Iowa June 20th 1891
Honored Sir my full name is Hiram Thomas Stapp
UNION CIVIL WAR PENSION FILE OF JULIAETT STAPP, WIDOW OF H.T. STAPP
Do you remember Hiram T. Steep, who served in Co. K, 140th Ind. Inf., from October 1864 to July 1865?
"yes i knew a step but not the given name."
Did you know of him after the company was discharged? If so, where did he reside?
"i did not. he was afflicted with jiles"
-Mr. Francis Brace, Republic, MO. March 22, 1910.
State of Iowa, Marion County
I am the identical person who filed claim for pension as widow of hiram T. Stapp late of Co K 140 Ind. I first became acquainted with said soldier about 1865 or 6. I cannot furnish evidence that he was not married previous to that date because no one at Talladega, Alabama, the place where he had lived has been or can be found who can recollect him. He alsways told me that he was never married, I am satisfied that he was never married because he made two trips to his former home since our marriage and wrote back almost every year.
(signed) Julia E Stapp 6 February 1908
"I first knew Hiram T. Stapp the latter part of 1865 or the early part of 1866, probably the latter year. He was working for some man - name not remembered - three miles from my father's and seven miles south west of Knoxville, Iowa. In 1866 or 1867, he went to Columbia and remained there or near the town to the time of his death. He must have been near 30 years of age when I met him. I do not know whether he was ever married before he married the claimant. He came from Alabama. I heard him say he had not been married before he married claimant. There was not a man in the Country I was better acquainted with than Hiram T. Stapp. I think I heard him say he was from Collodega, Collodega Co., Ala. He went back to his old home once, but I cannot tell when though. It was in the latter part of his life. He told me he first served the Confederate Army but I do not know what organization. He said he could enlist or be drafted and that he enlisted in preference to waiting to be drafted. Don't know
(signed) George K. Dawson
"I am a widow of Alfred Molesworth and a sister to claimant. Stapp came from Georgia or Ala. but I do not know from what town. It was reported that he changed his name and that Stapp was not his right name but I cannot tell from what source this report emanated, and I never mentioned the matter to claimant nor to soldier. He said he served in the Confederate Army and got away & enlisted in the Union Army to help him get away, but it was against his belief to help the Union. I may have heard him say in what Confederate organization he served, but if so I have forgotten, and do not recall that he mentioned any of his officers or comrades. I do not know that soldier was married before he married claimant. it was reported at Coliumbia, Ia that he had been married before, but I do not know who brought the report nor where it came from. He ran a saloon in Columbia and supported the cause of the Rebellion in his conversation before he married claimant and I thought someone possibly had started the rep
(signed) Mary Jane Molesworth
"I became acquainted with Hiram T. Stapp about the year 1883. our acquaintance commenced when I was attorney in a law suit against him, and from that time was his attorney in most all of his business until he died. I saw him frequently. We never talked over our early history much but I learned that he served in a Confederate Regiment and deserted from that and came North and joined an Indiana regiment. Since his death I have been empoyed, not as attorney aforesaid, but simply to prepare some affidavits and ascertain if he had been previously married. I could get no definite informationas to whether soldier had been married before he married this claimant but learned through a man by name of L.C. Agan I think, wo lives near Belinda, Iowa, that soldier had enlisted in a confederate regiment, but I could not ascertain the number of regiment nor letter of company. My information was that he with 10 or 12 others deserted the Confederate Army and come up North. I did not learn the name of any of the
(signed) G.W. Alexander
"They were married at her father's residence half a mile east of here. She lived with Hiram T. Stapp as his wife to the time of his death. I first knew of Hiram T. Stapp some three or four, or two or three years before he married claimant who was Julia Kiger. He kept a little store up here in town. I became acquainted with him after he opend the store in Columbia. I do not know wheter he was ever married before he married claimant. I heard him say he came from Ga or Ala. but don't know I ever heard him say what town he, Stapp, came from. A man by the name of Wm Thomas who knew Stapp before the war was here a short time - perhaps a year but went back and I have never heard of him since. I do not know where he came from but he told me he & Stapp came from the same place. My wife says she thinks he was from Eufaula, Ga. I never heard Hiram T. Stapp discuss his army service, only I heard him say he was in the Confederate Army and deserted and enlisted in the Union Army but I never heard him say
(signed) Dr. E. Whittatch
"I cannot give the date of his death, but I was at his burying. I knew Hiram T. Stapp a year or two before he married claimant. He was living here in Columbia and running a little grocery when I got acquainted with him. I do not know and don't think I ever heard wheteher he was married beofre he married claimant. Don't think I ever heard him say where he came from but I think I understodd from other sources that he came from Georgia. Don't remember that I ever heard him speak of his Army service."
(signed) Martha Ellen Murr
"Juliaett Stapp, this claimant is my wife's aunt. I have known her all of my life and her late husband also to the date of his death. I am not sure as to the date of his death but I think Aug 11th but don't know the year. If I were at my house I could tell by reference some papers I have. I have never heard soldier say and never learned from any source what organization he served in, in the Confederate Amry nor where his home had been in the South only he had lived at some place near Birmingham, Alabama. I don not know to what place he went when back there on a visit some years ago."
(signed) E.D. Flanagan
"I knew her and her late husband for some years, and they lieved as husband and wife to the date of his death. At the time of his death soldier owned a farm of 40 or 60 acres of land a half mile North of Columbia, improved with a barn and house and wells and windmill - fair improvements. I suppose it is worth from $60 to $75 an acre in cash. He had some cows and horses but I do not know how many nor their value."
(signed) Geo W. May
"I am the unmarried widow of Hiram T. Stapp who served in the 140th Ind Inf I think. I do not know what company he served in. I think he served two years and more, until the war was out. His discharge certificate show but I think Corse Agan, who lives about three miles Southeast of here has it. Hiram T Stapp never enlisted but the one time. I think he never served in any company and regiment but one and was never in the U.S. Navy. He came from Indiana and i think he served in but one regiment. I hand you my marriage certicate given to me by Job Clevenger, J.P. at the time of our marriage. (Certificate is made in usual form; signed & dated the 8th day of March A.D. 1868.) Soldier and I were not married more than one time and if he stated we were married Oct. 8, 1868 it is a mistake. We were never divorce nor legally seperated prior to the death of soldier, Aug 14, 1902 a half mile north of Columbia. I became acquainted with soldier about the year 1867, less than a year before our marriage.
Soldier was not married before his marriage to me that ever I knew. I don't think he was but I can't say. I never asked him for I didn't think he was and I never heard him say whether he was but I can't say. I never asked him for I didn't think he was and I never heard him say whter he was married before or not. I cannot furnish any data to show whether he was previously married or not nor what organization he served in in the Confederate Army.
At the time of his death soldier owned forty acres of land a half mile north of this place. Twenty acres of it is kind of brken and in pasture and the balance is tillable land. it is improved with a small like house, a big barn but old, few fruit trees, wells, and windmill. i reckon it is worth seventy or eighty dollars an acre. I supposed when he died it was worth only forty or forty five dollars an acres. It has been rented since four years ago the first of last March for $150 a year in cash to Charles Morehead. Soldier also had a few horses - three I think, and four cows, one sow and a few pigs and that is all. He had no other real estate and no other personal but a buggy. he had a few notes coming to him but not much. I don't hink he had more than three hundred dollars asidefrom then stock. He made a will leaving all his property to me. The will was probated and the estate settled."
.........
How much money or what value in Notes had you at the time you paid for the house over and above the cost of the house?
Ans. "I will not answer any more questions for I don't consider it necessary. I'd rather abandon the claim than to answer all those questions about my property. I did not know that I signed a statement that soldier made two trips to his former home since our marriage and wrote back almost every year for he never made but one trip and then he was gone only about three weeks. He never wrote to any of his people." (Notice the above statement given by Juliaett 6 February 1908, in which her name IS signed to a document saying that Harmon/Hiram visited twice and wrote back every year!) I have heard & read the testimony of Geo R. Dawson & G.W. Alexander taken our special examination and am satisfied with it.
(signed) Juliaette Stapp 6th September 1909
(The next part of the pension application takes place the next day. It appears that Juliaett refused to answer any more questions on the 6th, but changed her mind and the next day returned and gave more information on this case)
7th September 1909
(additional) "After further consideration of the matter, I desire to prosecute my claim filed under the act of June 27, 1890 and May 9, 1900. The only reason I though I did not want to prosecute it was that I felt discouraged...."
........
(The rest of the pension talks about her finances, property, etc.)
There are a few things about Juliaetts pension, including her and other's comments that can be discussed. First of all, Hiram had mentioned Talladega when he was living in Iowa. That in itself will tell you he is Harmon and apparently he later changed his name to Hiram. Juliaett's sister had mentioned that she thought he had changed his name. Second, when he enlisted in the 140th Indiana, he signed his name as Harmon, and Francis Brace, who also served in the 140th, mentioned that he didn't know a Hiram T Steep, but he knew a 'Step' but by a different first name. Third, concerning whether or not Hiram was married before he married Juliaett, most of the people that gave testaments thought that he had not. But Juliaett's sister also mentioned that she thought that in Columbia it was mentioned that Harmon/Hiram had been previously married. Today we know that he was previously married, but it surprises me that the investigator didn't look at the Talladega County Courthouse for the marriage certific
Also, his report, W.R. King (investigator) states: "...she seemed much provoked when she learned that the information was out that soldier had served in the Confederate Army." Also, "...and to nearly every question I asked claimant, [she] volunteered the information 'Mrs. Smith didn't have to answer that question' and 'Mrs. Jones wans't asked any of them questions' and finally claimant decided she would abandon her claim rather than answer more questions."
It appears that Juliaett was having problems with answering Mr. King's questions. It's not hard to figure out why either; First of all, as stated before since Harmon/Hiram had served with the Confederacy, his enemies could use that against him, and apparently it was according to Juliaett's sister's statement. Second, it kept coming up whether or not he was previously married, and I'm sure she knew that he had been previously married, and that she didn't want it to get out for two reasons: that it would give someone (Harmon's first wife and children) to also apply for his pension and/or it would tar his and her reputation because Harmon/Hiram would have still been married to Patsy "Martha" Herring when he married to her. And both of those are reasons enough not to let word get out about his previous marriage! Even in his own pension, Harmon/Hiram stated that he was not previously married, so I would assume that he didn't tell the truth because he would've been been open to criticism due to his mar
Another thing of mentioning is Juliaett's talk of Harmon/Hiram's family and contact towards them. First she said that he had visited them twice, and wrote every year, but later she changed her story and said that he never wrote and had only visited once. It is very unusual for her to have conflicting stories, and it can be wondered which is the correct one. She mentions that he had an uncle still living that he visited in Alabama. That would be impossible. All of his uncles were either dead or living in Georgia or Arkansas at the time period he would have visited. Also, she mentioned that he had a brother named George, and that is a match and probably true. But she mentions that he had sisters, Minnie and Latetia. I may be able to explain this...we know that Harmon/Hiram did have a sister, Sarah Ann, that went by "Mamie" which is similar to Minnie, so that could be a possibility. But Latetia is another story. Nothing points that Harmon/Hiram had a sister by that name. It's possible, since J
But it really doesn't make any sense that Harmon/Hiram wouldn't have told Juliaett, his wife about his past. Why would he have kept secrets from her like she said? It doesn't make sense! Especially if he went to see his family, he surely would have told her about it. I personally think there's more to the story and she didn't want to tell it to the investigator!
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1840 - 1902 (62 years)