~ Biographical Sketch ~

     Hattie Edith Smith was born on Tuesday, January 17, 1893 in the family's log home - on the "John Smith Farm" on Goshen Ridge in Turkey River, Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa, daughter of John Smith and Sarah Louisa Minger.^1,2

According to the US census of June 13, 1900, Hattie was living at home with her parents in Millville Township, Clayton County, Iowa. She was seven years old.³

She appeared on the Millville Township census of April 28, 1910 living at home with her parents. She was 17 years old, single and had been attending school.⁴

At age 20, Hattie married Edward Moser on Wednesday, October 22, 1913 at Fairview Church, in Colesburg, Delaware County, Iowa. Edward was 24 years old.^1,2

Hattie and Edward owned the Turkey River Hotel in Turkey River Station, Millville Township community. There were actually two hotels in Turkey River. The other hotel was somewhat connected with the Turkey River Station railroad depot. In the 1930's Ed dismantled their hotel and its lumber was used to build their first home in Section 3 in Millville Township in Turkey River.

This little home was located between the Turkey River and the Mississippi River on a benched area about one mile east of Millville Crossing, just north east of the intersection of the Millville to Buena Vista highway and the Ferry Landing Road.

The home flooded and they moved to their second home which was just below the bench in Section 3 in Millville Township in Turkey River. It had belonged to Millie's great-uncle John Minger. John had never married and was unable to care for himself as he aged. His brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Elsie Minger, moved in with John and cared for him until he died, then continued to live in his home. Ed and Hattie bought this home after Charlie Minger died.

The home was built of logs. An electrical fire in the upstairs wiring caused its destruction. Hattie was able to save a writing desk from the flames. Many family pictures were lost in the fire.⁵

Due to financial hard times Ed and Hattie were often separated for long periods of time and Hattie sought work outside of their home. She was able to secure employment as a cook in a County Home in Illinois. Later, she moved to Rockford, Illinois and worked as a housekeeper for a wealthy family.⁵

Hattie is listed as a survivor in the obituary of her brother, Irvin Ralph Smith. She was living in Guttenberg at the time.⁶

Shortly after Ed became ill with colon cancer, their daughter, Millie, moved back to Guttenberg. Ed and Hattie moved in with her until their deaths. Ed didn't like living in town.⁷

She became a widow at age 74 when her husband, Edward, died on July 21, 1967 in Guttenberg Municipal Hospital in Guttenberg, Clayton County, Iowa.^2,7

Hattie died on Wednesday, April 30, 1969 in Guttenberg, Clayton County, Iowa. She was 76 years old. Colon cancer was the cause of her death..^8,7

Hattie Edith's obituary states that the funeral services were held Saturday afternoon from the Tuecke funeral chapel for Mrs. Hattie E. Moser, 76, who died last Wednesday after hospitalization of about a week at the Guttenberg Municipal hospital.

The services were conducted by Rev. Alvin Best, pastor of the Guttenberg Methodist church, and burial was in the Bethel Cemetery near Mallory Township (near Osterdock) in the charge of the Tuecke funeral home. The pallbearers were Alton Minger, Gene Patrick, Elmer Moser and Donald Moser. Mr. Moser died July 21, 1967. Hattie had been a resident of the Guttenberg area her entire lifetime.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Ferman Wachendorf of Rockford, Illinois, and Mrs. Herbert Philbrook of Guttenberg. Also surviving are four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a sister, Mrs. Grace Donnan of Guttenberg and three brothers, Emmett Smith of Dubuque, Ferman Smith of Guttenberg, and Ernest Smith who lives in Montana.^2,8