Through well directed business activity and enterprise Putnam Hatfield has gained recognition as one of the prosperous farmers of Delaware county. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land on sections 10 and 15, Delaware township, and an adjoining tract of eighty acres, so that his possessions now embrace two hundred and forty acres.
     He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, August 11, 1859, and is a son of Nathan and Sophia (Windsor) Hatfield, both natives of the Empire state. In the spring of 1869 the family made their way to the middle west, locating on a farm in Delaware county and becoming representative citizens of this section of the state. Throughout a long period the father was identified with agricultural pursuits here and through his death in April, 1904, the community sustained a deep loss. The mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty two years. Their family numbered ten children: Clarinda, the wife of Charles Wilcox, a resident of Benton, Illinois; Ira, a resident of Clayton county, Iowa; Martin, of Delaware county; T. W., who makes his home in Greeley, Iowa; Putnam, of this review; Carrie, the wife of E. J. Tyrell, of Clayton county; Nathan, also of Clayton county; Otis, who lives in South Dakota; William, a resident of Canada; and Edgar, also of Clayton county, Iowa.
    Putnam Hatfield was reared at home and assisted in the operation of his father's farm until he had reached his majority, when he began life on his own account by working at farm labor. He eventually found himself possessed of a capital that enabled him to engage in farming on his own account and to this end he rented land for several years. However, in 1900 he invested his money in a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on sections 10 and 15, Delaware township, and later he enlarged his acreage by the purchase of an additional tract of eighty acres, so that his property now embraces two hundred and forty acres in Delaware township. Under his able management it has become productive and valuable. On the place is a comfortable farm residence and substantial outbuildings, and in its entirety it presents a neat appearance.
     It was in the year 1883 that Mr. Hatfield established a home of his own through his marriage to Miss Mary E. Miinch, a native of Michigan, and a daughter of Adam and Philipine (Hagenborne) Miinch, whose family numbered four children. The parents were both born in Germany but emigrated to America in an early day and here spent their remaining years, the father passing away in October, 1906, while the mother was called to the home beyond in 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield have been born three children: Otto Lee, deceased; John A., living on the home farm, who is married and has two children, Harold and Ada Marie; and Charles J., at home.
     The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Hatfield is a member of the Grange. He is truly a self-made man, for, starting out in life in the humble capacity of a farm laborer, he has through his industry, honesty and integrity won not only a goodly property but an excellent reputation that enrolls him among the county's substantial and desirable citizens.