Biographical Sketch of James T. Hatfield

Three and one-half miles northeast from Owyhee is found the comfortable and valuable farm and home of the subject of this article. The estate is one of eighty acres of fine land, all covered by the Owyhee ditch and well cultivated and productive of abundant returns of hay, fruit and other valuable crops. Mr. Hatfield is one of the originators of the Owyhee ditch, and he labored faithfully on it from the time it was started until it was finished. Reverting to his personal history we note that James T. was born in Adair County, Missouri, on July 14, 1839, being the son of Andrew and Mary Hatfield. He removed with his parents while still a child to Putnam County, in the same state, and there remained with them until the time of his marriage, which happy event occurred on September 9, 1858. Miss Lucinda Sumpter then becoming his wife. In September, 1861 Mr. Hatfield enlisted in the Confederate Army under Price and participated in the battle of Lexington serving three months. Then he returned home and being convinced of the error of the cause of Confederacy, he did what few men would have the courage to do, that was own his mistake and offer his services on the right side. He enlisted in Company F. Ninth Missouri Volunteers and served in this capacity until the fall of 1863, being then honorably discharged. It was in the spring of 1863 that he joined a train of emigrants bound for the west with ox teams. Sixty-five wagons and on hundred and thirteen emigrants formed the train, and notwithstanding several attacks from the savages, they arrived in Austin City, Nevada, in due time without the loss of any of their number. He remained there until 1868 and then returned to Missouri on horseback. This was his home then until 1876, at which time he came to Battle Mountain, Nevada, there running a hotel freighting and (thing various other labors until 1888. When he came by wagon to Owyhee and thence to poise valley, returning to the Owyhee in 1890. He located a homestead and improved the land, which property he sold in 1901. At the same time he purchased the eighty acres where he now lives and has it improved in good shape. He also owns another farm of forty acres with his son.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield there have been born five children, one of whom is still living. Emanuel Isaiah, who was born January 22, 1874. Mr. Hatfield is a Democrat and always native in the affairs of the County. He and his son have a large band of cattle and horses and are numbered with the leading stockmen of the section.


Surnames:
Hatfield,

Topics:
Biography,

Collection:
Whitman, Marcus. An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties: with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon. Chicago: Western Historical Publishing Co., 1902, 871 pgs.

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