HALE, OSCAR F.

HALE, ALDRICH, CLARKE, STEELE

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/16/2005 at 12:30:13

Biography reproduced from page 367 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:

Oscar F. Hale, county surveyor, was born in Scioto Co., Ohio, April 1, 1839. His parents, Daniel and Ada (Aldrich) Hale, were from the New England States, and emigrated from Ohio in the fall of 1844 to Indiana, and settled in Cass county where they spent the remainder of their days. Here Mr. Hale received his early education in the common schools, and in the fall of 1861 graduated from the State Normal School of Ohio, at Lebanon, and immediate enlisted as a private in company D, 44th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During his service, he participated in the engagements at Lewisburg, W. Va., May 23, 1862; capture of Cumberland Gap, east Tenn., July 9, 1863; siege of Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 17 to 29, 1863; Lynchburg, W. Va., June 18, 1864, and surprise at Beverly, W. Va., Dec. 24 and 25, 1864. In January, 1864, he reenlisted as a veteran, and his regiment was organized as the 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Mr. Hale was promoted to 2d lieutenant and acting adjutant of his regiment. He was three times a prisoner, twice making his escape and once paroled. He was mustered out of service Aug. 5, 1865, having served nearly four years. In the fall of 1865, he came to Kossuth county, and in the spring of 1866, was married to Mrs. Mary (Clarke) Steele, widow of George Steele, by whom he has one child—Cora A. During his eighteen years’ residence in the county, he has spent most of the time of his farm, but is at present living in Algona. He has several times been chosen to positions of trust, and is at present serving his third term as county surveyor.