~ ALBERT HANER, b. 24 Aug 1820 ~ Related Surnames - HANER, VROOMAN, McCOWAN, GRAVE, JACKSON, MAY, BECHTEL, GORDON, SWANEY, LOCKWOOD, POPE In the person of the subject of this sketch, we have that of one of the earliest settlers of Maquoketa Township, who began here with some money, and is now a man in prosperous circumstances, surrounded by all the comforts of life. His school advantages were very limited, but he has kept his eyes open to what was going on around him in the world, and has learned largely by observation, while at the same time he has been peculiarly fortunate in being able to adapt himself to circumstances. He has also been fortunate in his selection of a wife and helpmate, Mrs. Haner having proved the main stay of her husband through the years of his early struggles, standing by his side through storm and sunshine, and contributing her full share in accumulating their property. Mr. Haner, a native of Canada, was born near the city of St. Catharine, in the Province of Ontario, Aug. 24, 1820. Upon approaching manhood he learned the carpenter's trade, but in the meantime, at the age of sixteen years, enlisted in the militia, and served during the Canadian Rebellion. Thereafter he followed farming in the Dominion until 1855, having secured 110 acres of land which he sold after deciding to seek his fortunes west of the MIssissippi. In making the trip thither, he journeyed by rail to Warren County, Ill., thence to Galena by team, and from there came to this county, and purchased 120 acres of land in Maquoketa Township. Upon this land, at the time of its purchase by Mr. Haner, there were scarcely any improvements. His first business was to erect a shelter for himself and family, and to get in the season's crops. He proceeded with the cultivation of the soil, the building of fences, the planting of forest and fruit trees, and in due time his land assumed the semblance of a well-regulated farm. His nearest market for several years, was at Lyons and Davenport. He first devoted his attention to the raising of grain and later drifted into live-stock. In addition to his farming interests he also labored as a carpenter for a number of years. His land was well-watered by Cox's Creek. The residence is a solid stone structure, occupying an area of 25x36 feet, while he has well-arranged stables, and in addition to stock-raising, gives considerable attention to dairying. He is especially fond of horses, keeping usually about seven head, these comprising some of the best teams in the township. ! One pair trot their mile in three minutes easily. These are of William Tell stock. Mr. Haner was married at Manchester, N.Y., March 28, 1849, to Miss Charlotte, daughter of Adam Vrooman. This lady was born near London, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, Sept. 15, 1828. Her father was a native of Queenstown, Canada, and her paternal grandfather, Gen. Adam Vrooman, was a native of Germany. Upon emigrating to America, he located in New York State, and during the Revolutionary War, enlisted as a soldier in the British army. When the conflict was ended, he settled near Queenstown, and became owner of a large tract of land. There he spent the remainder of his days. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation, and a Presbyterian in religion. He served with a company of artillery during the War of 1812, and with the exception of this, spent his entire life on his native soil. The mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (McCowan) Vrooman, was born near St. John, in Nova Scotia, and died in 1869. The paternal grandfather, a native of Scotland, was born near the city of Edinburg, and learned the trade of a shoe-maker. Upon emigrating to America, he located in Nova Scotia, where he conducted a large boot and shoe establishment, but later removed to the vicinity of Queenstown. He now purchased 300 acres of land, and continued to reside there occupied as a farmer until his death. He married Miss Elizabeth Grave, who was of French descent. The grandmother of Mr. Haner had a very romantic history. Her maiden name was Margaret Jackson. Her birth place was near Albany, N.Y. She was a cousin of Gen. Jackson, who is memorable in history, and when ! about fifteen years of age, was with three other girls taken prisoner by the Indians. She was better treated than the others, and was made waiter to the Chief's squaw. Thus she passed two years, following her captors from one camp to another, and sharing the trials and discomforts of such a life. Finally she was rescued by Gen. Adam Vrooman's regiment, and when peace was restored between America and England, she showed her gratitude to her preserver by becoming his wife. Six children in time clustered round their fireside, namely: Michael, Solomon, Adam, Elizabeth (the mother of Mr. Haner), George, and Aaron. The mother of Mrs. Haner died near London, Canada, about 1869. The parental household included eight children, namely: Charles, now a resident of Michigan; John, who remains in Canada; Elizabeth, who died when seventy-eight years old; Ann is living in Canada; Margaret also there; Charlotte, (Mrs. Haner), James and David in the Dominion. Isaac Haner, the father of our subject, was born near St. Catherines, Canada, and was the son of Albert Haner, a native of New York State, born near the city of Albany, and who served in the British Army during the Revolutionary War. Afterward he entered several hundred acres of land near St. Catherines, which he improved and became well-to-do. The great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Holland, and when emigrating to America, located near Albany, N.Y., where it is probable he spent his last days. The father of our subject served as a soldier in the War of 1812 as a Royalist, and later engaged in farming, improving a homestead of 100 acres near the city of Hamilton, Canada, but finally removed to St. Catherines. In 1855 he sold out, and coming to Iowa, purchased eighty acres of land in the vicinity of Monmouth, which he improved, and where he resided until his death, which took place in September, 1859. He was a member of the Christian Church. The mother, Mrs. Magdalena (May) Haner, was born on Lake Ontario, near St. Catherines, and died at Monmouth, Iowa, in 1877. Grandfather Peter May, was born near the city of Albany, N.Y., served as a soldier during the Revolutionary War, and spent his last days in the Dominion, occupied as a farmer. The great-grandfater of our subject, was a native of Holland, where he emigrated to America at an early day. To the parents of our subject there were born twelve children, namely: Eva, residing in Canada; Albert of this sketch; Catherine and Peter residents of Michigan; William H. in Canada; Benjamin in Minnesota; Ann, in Sioux County, this State; Phebe residing at Lyons; George, who died when twenty-two years old; Andrew a resident of Michigan; Frances (deceased); Celestia, a resident of this county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Haner are recorded as follows: Jennie, Mrs. Bechtel, is at the homestead with her parents; Ransford is a carpenter by trade, is married and lives at Omaha, Neb.; Margaret A. is the wife of Otto Gordon, a farmer of South Fork Township; Victoria C. married Mr. Levi Swaney, and lives in Van Buren Township; Mary M. is the wife of F.B. Lockwood, who is farming in Clinton County; Emily E. married Thomas Pope, and they also live in that county; Charles E. is married, and is farming in Maquoketa Township. Our subject and his estimable wife have! sixteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Mary, Margaret, and Victoria, before their marriage, occupied themselves considerably in teaching school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Haner are members in good standing of the Baptist Church. Our subject, politically, is a stanch Democrat, and belongs to the Sons of Temperance. ("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)