USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 50
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JOHN M. HILGERSON.
A good farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 9, Pierce town- ship, is the property of John M. Hilgerson and in its cultivation and further improvement his time is busily occupied with the result that he is meeting success in his efforts. He was born in Sweden on the 15th January, 1844, his parents being Hilga and Catherine (Jones) Hilgerson, both of whom spent their entire lives in that country. Mr. Hilgerson of this review was
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reared and educated in his native land and remained a resident thereof until 1869, when as a young man of twenty-five years he made the ocean voy- age to the United States. During the fall of that year he was employed at railroad construction work in Mercer county, Illinois, having made his way to that county immediately after landing in America. Throughout the fol. lowing summer he worked by the month as a farm hand and in the fall se- cured employment in the brickyards. In 1871 he started out as an agricul- turist on his own account by renting a tract of land, in the cultivation of which he was successfully engaged for four years.
It was in the spring of 1875 that Mr. Hilgerson came to Page county, Iowa, purchasing eighty acres of the farm whereon he now resides and which has been in his possession for the past thirty-four years. As time has passed and his financial resources have increased he has gradually extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchase until it now embraces two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land, which responds readily to cultivation. That effective methods of farming are employed is indicated in the rich harvests which are annually gathered, for he secures extensive crops of corn and other cereals. Practically all the corn raised on the farm is fed to his stock. Mr. Hilgerson is likewise a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Savings Bank of Essex and is well known and highly esteemed as one of the substantial and influential citizens of his community.
In 1871 Mr. Hilgerson was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna L. Carlson, of Aledo, Illinois, whose birth occurred in Sweden. The two children born of this union, Carl O. and Frank O., are now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Hilgerson is independent, voting for the man whom he believes best qualified for office without regard to party affiliation. He has served for several years as a member of the school board. being a stanch friend of the cause of education. Coming to the United States in early manhood, he has made good use of the opportunities and advantages here offered and by close application and untiring energy has worked his way steadily upward, having won a gratifying and well merited degree of prosperity. Within the borders of this county, where he has now made his home for more than a third of a century, he is most widely and favor- ably known.
THOMAS P. HARRIS.
Thomas P. Harris, the proprietor of the Clarinda Laundry, was born in New Athens, Ohio, on the 24th of May. 1880, a son of William H. and Hulda ( Evans) Ilarris. The father who was a successful merchant, is now deceased. Mr. Harris of this review received his preliminary education in the public schools and subsequently pursued a course in the law department of Drake University at Des Moines, lowa. For fifteen years he has been engaged in the laundry business, working first in Des Moines and later in
THOMAS P. HARRIS
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Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1908 he made his way to Clarinda, Page county, lowa, and bought the laundry which he has since conducted, having estab- lished agencies in more than twenty outside towns and cities. He employs from eight to twelve people in the plant, which is equipped throughout with electrical power and is one of the best laundries to be found in the entire state in a town the size of Clarinda. A man of keen discrimination and ex- cellent business ability, Mr. Harris has already won a gratifying measure of prosperity in the conduct of his interests and is widely recognized as a most substantial, enterprising and representative citizen of the county.
On the 2d of March, 1904, Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Grace Mckinnon, a resident of Clarinda and a daughter of Taylor Mc- Kinnon, who is connected with an implement house of Clarinda. Mr. Harris is a devoted and consistent member of the Christian church and is a young man whose upright and honorable life has won him the warm regard and esteem of his associates.
CHARLES A. HAMILTON.
Charles A. Hamilton, a general contractor, whose efficiency in his chosen line of business has won him a liberal patronage and substantial success, was born in Hamburg, Fremont county, lowa, on the 14th of May, 1868. He is a son of William and Mary ( MeDonald) Hamilton. His father was one of the early settlers of Hamburg, where he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, becoming one of the best known physicians in this section of the state, his professional skill being widely recognized in Fre- mont, Page and adjoining counties during the early days. His practice extended over that region and in the path of duty he met many hardships, being often exposed to the storms of winter as well as the heat of summer. He never regarded any personal discomfort or sacrifice too great, however, if he could aid his fellowmen, and in many a household through- out this part of the state he was held in loving respect and warm regard because of the aid which he rendered in the hour of need. He died in 1881 at the age of fifty-six years, and following his death his widow became the wife of A. J. Wilson, of Hamburg, where she now resides.
In his father's home Charles A. Hamilton spent the period of his boyhood and youth and at the usual age was sent as a pupil to the public schools, therein continuing his studies through consecutive grades until he became a high-school student. In 1888, when twenty years of age, he went to Sioux City, Iowa, where he served an apprenticeship to the plumbing and heating trade and after becoming familiar with the business continued in that line of activity in Sioux City for seven years. In 1902 he came to Shenandoah and accepted the position with J. J. Dunnegan, who was at that time engaged in the plumbing and heating business in this city. For seven years he remained with Mr. Dunnegan and then purchased his employer's business in partnership with O. H. Frink. The enterprise was thereafter
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conducted under the firm style of Frink & Hamilton for four years, at the expiration of which period the junior partner sold his interest and turned his attention to general contracting, in which line he has been very successful. He is thorough, accurate and reliable in all of his business transactions and the salient qualities of his business life are such as have won for him sub- stantial and continually increasing success.
Mr. Hamilton is not alone well known in business lines, for in fields of activity relative to the general welfare his work is also known. He takes an active interest in the political situation of the day, gives stalwart support to the republican party and is ever able to uphold his position by intelligent argument. He is now acting as secretary of the republican central committee of Page county and is also ward committeeman of Shenandoah. He believes most firmly in the principles of his party and while he does not seek office for himself his loyalty in citizenship prompts him to give unfaltering aid to the great organization which he believes is best calculated to promote good government. Fraternally Mr. Hamilton is well known as a member of Shenandoah Lodge, I. O. O. F .; Shenandoah Lodge, No. 1122, B. P. O. E. ; Nishna Lodge, A. O. U. W .; the Brotherhood of the American Yeomen ; the Royal Neighbors : and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile is also a member of the Commercial Club of Shenandoah and his cooperation is generously and helpfully given to every movement calculated to benefit the city or promote the substantial growth or adornment, thereby rendering it a more attractive place of residence. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and do all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence.
In 1891 Mr. Hamilton was married to Miss Emma May Storey, of Sioux City, Iowa, and unto them have been born three children: Gifford Wil- liam, Lavone and Charles. The family residence is a handsome home at No. 600 Elm street, which is the property of Mr. Hamilton. Unaided at the outset of his career by special advantages or opportunities, he has stead- ily worked his way upward, placing his dependence in the substantial qualities of energy and well directed activity. His unflagging industry has been accorded due recognition in the success which is now his. He is a man of forceful character, whose good qualities are recognized by his fellow towns- men, many of whom entertain for him the warmest regard.
THOMAS P. KEENAN.
A well developed farm property on section 16, Grant township, is owned and cultivated by Thomas P. Keenan, who has here one hundred and sixty acres that are carefully tilled. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Dubuque county, on the 25th of May. 1860. His par- ents were James and Rose (McCauley) Keenan, natives of Ireland, where they were reared and married. About 1853 or 1854 they bade adieu to the Green Isle of Erin and came to the United States, attracted by the enticing
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reports which they heard concerning the conditions of the new world and its business opportunities. They established their home in Dubuque county, Iowa, near the city of Dubuque, where the father engaged in general farm- ing, there residing for fifteen years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Mills county, Iowa, where he secured a section of land and resided for twenty-five years. On selling that property he became a resident of Wayne county, Nebraska, and purchased a quarter section of land, on which he resided for thirteen years. Once more he sold out and then es- tablished his home in the town of Wayne, where he is now living retired, enjoying a rest that he has truly won and richly deserves. In the early '8os he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away when sixty years of age.
As a public-school student, Thomas P. Keenan mastered the common branches of learning, and as a farm boy he became familiar with the work of the fields, diligently pursuing his tasks until his broad experience well qualified him for work of that character when he started out for himself. He rented his first land in Mills county after his marriage and there en- gaged in farming for three years, at the end of which time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Fremout county, four miles west of Imogene. It was his place of abode for thirteen years and when he sold out he made investment in his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Grant township, Page county, to which he removed. Here he has since resided and his well developed farm shows that there are few idle hours in his life, for his time is well used in developing and improving his place.
On the 25th of May, 1885, occurred the marriage of Mr. Keenan and Miss Mary Skahill, of Imogene, Fremont county, Iowa. They became the parents of seven children, of whom five are living: Bertha and Loretta, both of whom are graduates of the Western Normal College at Shenan- doah ; Ruth ; Walter J. ; and Rose. The family all are communicants of the Catholic church, and Mr. Keenan gives his political allegiance to the dem- ocracy.
DR. GEORGE W. REED.
The home farm of Dr. George W. Reed comprises one hundred and twenty acres of land a mile west and a quarter of a mile south of Sham- baugh, on the Harlan and Amity township road. Of this forty acres lies on section 2, Amity township, and eighty acres across the road on section 35, Harlan township. In the midst of the latter stands the family residence, around which are seen some fine trees, while in the rear are good barns and outbuildings, together with all the accessories and equipments of a model farm. Dr. Reed is busily employed in the cultivation and further improve- ment of this place.
He was born in Kirkville, Iowa, December 16, 1858, and was only eight- een months old when his parents removed to Braddyville. He is one of the
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eight children of Mitchell and Sarah ( Foster) Reed, who were born, reared and married in Harrison county, Ohio, and came to Iowa in 1853 or 1854. They took up their abode in Page county in 1860 and the father now re- sides in Braddyville at the venerable age of eighty-two years, while his wife passed away in 1893 at the age of sixty-three years. Their children were as follows: Samuel, now living in Cass county, Missouri; Sarah Jane, who is the widow of Hugh Armstrong, of Sloan, Iowa ; William, who is a miller ; Emmett, living in College Springs, this county; George W .; Frank, whose home is in Braddyville ; Ella, the wife of Robert Johnson, living at Earl, Nebraska ; and Thomas, also of Braddyville.
Since brought to this county in his infancy, Dr. Reed has resided con- tinuously within its borders save for a period of about four years, which he spent in Mercer county, Missouri. His youth was passed upon a farm near Braddyville in Buchanan township which is still owned by his father, and in his boyhood he worked in the fields from the time that he was old enough to handle the plow. The summer months were passed in the active work of the farm and in the winter season he pursued his education in the public schools. He remained upon the old homestead up to the time of his marriage, when he started out in business life on his own account, set- tling upon a tract of rented land which he continued to cultivate for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Mercer county and bought a farm of eighty-two acres, which he cultivated for four years, when he sold out and returned to Page county. He then again rented land for nine years, during which period his unfaltering diligence and careful ex- penditure brought him sufficient capital to justify his purchase of his present farm.
Dr. Reed bought this property sixteen years ago and has made his home thereon for thirteen years. It is pleasantly and conveniently located not far from Shambaugh, on the dividing line between Harlan and Amity townships, and all of the improvements thereon have been made by him. He has set out trees, erected the buildings and has carried on the work in ac- cordance with the ideas of progressive and modern farming. His attention is now given to the cultivation of corn and other cereals and also to the rais- ing of stock, and both branches of his business are proving remunerative. On the 31st of December, 1900, he received a state certificate enabling him to practice veterinary surgery, to which he has given more or less attention throughout the past twenty years.
On March 31, 1880, Dr. Reed was united in marriage to Miss Flora Robinson, who was born in College Springs, Iowa, in May, 1857, and died September 7, 1891. She was a daughter of Eli Robinson. The children of that marriage were: Nellie, who died at the age of four years; Sallie, who died when a year old ; Ada : and Bonnie. For his second wife, whom he wedded on the 15th of April, 1892. Dr. Reed chose Mrs. Eliza (Case) McDonald, who was born in Johnson county, lowa, August 2, 1868, and was the widow of Daniel McDonald and a daughter of T. P. and Caroline (Neil) Case. Mrs. Reed had two children by her former marriage, Gertie Fern McDonald and Daniel McDonald, both of whom are now living with
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Dr. Reed. There have been three children born of the second marriage : Elsie L., Nellie Pearl and George Porter.
In his political views Dr. Reed is a republican and has studied the po- litical signs of the times and believes that the best elements of good govern- ment are conserved through the party which he supports by his ballot. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Shambaugh and in its teachings finds incentive for the upright life which he lives.
WILLIAM L. LITTLE.
William L. Little, one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Colfax township, owns and cultivates one hundred acres of excellent land. In his business methods he is practical, and the enterprising spirit which he displays enables him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles which usually bar the path to success. He has always lived in Iowa, his birth hav- ing occurred in Lee county, October 13, 1865. His parents were Samuel R. and Rebecca (Wilson) Little. The father was born near Zanesville, Ohio, in 1833 and when a boy removed to Illinois, residing near Paxton until he had reached early manhood. He then became a resident of Lee county, Iowa, and turned his attention to farming. He married there, established his home and reared his family in that locality and in Page county. His death occurred in October, 1904, and he is still survived by his wife, who is a native of Indiana and now makes her home in Colfax township, Page county. They were the parents of three children: Wilson M., who is living in Amity township; Martha, the wife of Orin Slough, of Colfax township, their residence being on the old homestead farm ; and William L.
The last named came to Page county with his parents in 1871. They settled near Page Center, where they lived for about two years and then removed to Colfax township, taking up their abode upon the farm where Mrs. Little still resides. The father first purchased eighty acres of land, which at that time was all raw prairie, but with characteristic energy he began to turn the furrows and in course of time transformed the wild land into productive fields. He erected all of the buildings upon the place and later extended the boundaries of his farm by the purchase of an additional tract of eighty acres. Throughout his entire life he continued actively in farming, save for the period of his service as a soldier of the Civil war. In 1864 he enlisted as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Fifty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was in the service for about seven months, after which he was mustered out owing to the termination of hostilities. While living in this county he served as school director and in other local offices and he was a member of the United Presbyterian church of College Springs.
William L. Little remained in Lee county, Iowa, until about seven years of age, and he started to school there. He then removed to this county and continued his education in the district schools and at College Springs.
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Since putting aside his text-books his undivided attention has been given to farm work and he is numbered among the progressive agriculturists of the community, having an excellent property of one hundred acres. He has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and uses the latest in- proved machinery to facilitate his labors.
On the 15th of February, 1891, Mr. Little was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Hazelton, a daughter of Seber B. and Rachel ( Keeran) Hazelton, of Lincoln township. They have one adopted daughter, Bessie. Mrs. Little's parents as living in Shambaugh, Iowa, he having retired from active connection with agricultural interests. He was born in Canada and his wife in Guernsey county, Ohio, and they came to Page county about 1873, settling in Harlan township. The father was twice married and by his first union had two children: Melissa, the wife of John Labough, of Kan- sas : and William, who died in 1893. After losing his first wife Mr. Hazelton wedded Rachel Keeran and their children are six in number : Arra, who is living in Amity township; Mrs. Margaret Little; Hattie, the wife of William Long, of South Dakota ; Florence, who is living in Wy- oming : Sadie, the wife of Milton Pfander, of this county ; and Frank, who is also living in Page county.
Mr. Little gives his political support to the republican party, of which he has always been a stanch advocate, and in the fall of 1908 he was elected township trustee, which position he is now filling. He is also a trustee of the United Presbyterian church of College Springs, to which he and his wife belong. Their influence is always given on the side of progress, im- provement, reform and upbuilding. He has made a creditable record in business and is a stockholder in the Coin Lumber Company, while as a farmer he is conducting successful interests, having a valuable tract of land which rewards his care and cultivation in abundant harvests.
J. W. SCHWARTZ.
Centuries ago a Greek philosopher said: "Earn thy reward ; the gods give naught to sloth." The truth of this admonition has been verified throughout all the ages to the present time. It has been through a recog- nition of this adage that J. W. Schwartz won his present creditable posi- tion in connection with the industrial interests of Shenandoah. He is now conducting business along general contracting and street paving lines.
His birth occurred in Knox county, Illinois, on the 13th of December, 1847, his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Williamson) Schwartz. The father was born and reared in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and as a young man removed westward to Knox county, Illinois, where he acquired the ownership of a farm of three hundred acres, on which he lived for sixty years, thus being long known as one of the representative and valued agriculturists of that district. He died there in June, 1904, at the age of eighty-four years. The farm which he owned is still in possession of
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the family and is a very valuable property. It was developed by the father along most scientific lines for as the years passed he kept in touch with the methods of modern agriculture, practicing the rotation of crops, fertiliza- tion of the soi! and utilizing every means at hand to make his fields produce the maximum yield. His political support was given to the democracy but while he upheld the men and measures of the party at the polls he never sought or desired office for himself. His wife, who was born in Indiana, removed to Knox county with her parents during her girlhood days, the family casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of that part of the state. They lived there when the wolves howled around their log cabin and when the various evidences of frontier life were to be seen. Mrs. Schwartz continued a resident of Knox county up to the time of her de- mise, which occurred in 1873 when she was forty-nine years of age.
J. W. Schwartz was reared at home, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer boy who divides his time between the work of the fields and the attainment of an education in the district schools. In the April following his twenty-first birthday he began farming on his own account as a renter and for five years followed agricultural pursuits in Knox county. Believing that he would have better opportunities in becoming the owner of a farm in a district less thickly set- tled he removed to Iowa in 1875, settling in Fremont county. A year later he purchased a tract of land of eighty acres, on which he resided until 1883, when he sold out and came to Shenandoah. Here he engaged in the restaurant business, with which he was identified for three years, when he was elected town marshal and served in that position and in the office of constable for twelve years. On his retirement from official service he began taking contracts for the construction of concrete sidewalks and since 1904 he has been engaged extensively in street paving and general con- tract work, having been associated with all of the street paving done in Shenandoah and Clarinda. He has also been connected with paving in vari- ous other cities, his work at all times being entirely satisfactory, for his methods are of a most practical and modern character. He is likewise in- terested in the manufacture of cement blocks and his labors in that direc- tion are also contributing in substantial measure to his prosperity.
In 1869 Mr. Schwartz was united in marriage to Miss Nancy M. Boat- man, of Knox county, Illinois, her parents removing to that state from Ohio, where the birth of Mrs. Schwartz occurred. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children: Minnie E., now the wife of B. W. McCurdy, a resident farmer of Fremont county, Iowa ; Jennie E., the wife of H. H. Andrews, of Guthrie, Oklahoma; W. Edward, who is associated with his father in the contracting business; Nettie E., the wife of M. J. McCurdy, of Marysville, Missouri ; and William R., who is associated with the Bell telephone system in Shenandoah.
Mr. Schwartz votes with the democracy and, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day. has seen no reason to change his political views since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He is a member of the Baptist church and is interested in all the movements
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