USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 56
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HIRAM HOAGLAND.
The history of Fayette county would be lacking an important link should the record of Hiram Hoagland be omitted, for he was one of the leading citi- zens of the same during the past generation, being a man of splendid attributes and always ready to assist his neighbors in the battle of life and do what he could toward the general good of the county, consequently his memory will long be cherished here. A man of excellent endowments and upright char- acter, he was long a valued factor in local affairs and ever commanded un- equivocal confidence and esteem, being loyal to the upbuilding of this locality and ever vigilant in his efforts to further the interests of the county along material, civic and moral lines.
Mr. Hoagland was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, January 13, 1828. and was the son of John and Catherine (Hull) Hoagland, an excellent old family of the Keystone state. Hiram grew to maturity in his native com- munity and was educated in the common schools of those early times, but it may be said that he remained a student all his life and was a well informed man. He learned the trade of wheelwright under his father, and he later learned cabinetmaking and became a very skilled workman, making his own wagon, buggy and household furniture, and when he came to this county he made his own chairs and table.
On November 22, 1849, Mr. Hoagland married Elizabeth D. Boale, a native of county Down, Ireland, born September 12, 1829, and she was the daughter of John and Grace (McWha) Boale, natives of Ireland, but of Scotch descent and Presbyterian faith. They came to America in 1839 and
HIRAM HOAGLAND.
MRS. ELIZABETH HOAGLAND.
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settled in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1852, when they came to Fayette county, Iowa, and located on a farm two and one-half miles north of West Union, on which they spent the rest of their lives, Mr. Boale dying in 1859, at the age of sixty-one years, his wife following him to the grave in 1860, when sixty-three years old. Seven children were born to them, two of whom are living at this writing, Mrs. Jane Jamison and George H., an Ohio farmer. The Boale family was an influential and highly re- spected one.
Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Hoagland emigrated to Grant county, Wisconsin, the year after their marriage and in the autumn of 1850 came to Fayette county, Iowa, where Mr. Hoagland purchased a tract of land near Auburn, then returned to Wisconsin to spend the winter. In the spring of 1851 he moved to his farm and remained on the same two years, then sold it and en- gaged in the mercantile business in Auburn. Being a public-spirited and patriotic man, he was active in raising troops for the Federal army when the Civil war began, and on June 20, 1861, he was commissioned captain of a company, but ill health prevented his going to the front, very much to his regret. In 1863 he disposed of his store and purchased a farm on which he lived the balance of his life, being very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, having at one time owned a very valuable place of six hun- dred acres, which was one of the choice farms of the county. He built at- tractive and substantial buildings. He was a successful business man, and besides his farm and livestock he became associated in numerous commer- cial enterprises. He was treasurer and stockholder in the Farmers' Joint Stock Company, a stockholder in the Citizens' Savings Bank at Elgin and other financial institutions of the county,-in fact he was one of the best known and most influential men in this part of the county in business, civic and social circles.
Always taking an active interest in the affairs of the Democratic party, Mr. Hoagland was frequently honored with nominations for public offices. He had the distinction of being the first coroner of Fayette county and by virtue of his election to this office, on the resignation of the sheriff, filled the latter office. He was a member of the county board of supervisors for several years, and in 1869 was elected auditor of the county notwithstanding he had to oppose a large Republican majority. He received the nomination for representative in the state Legislature in 1879, but failed of election, with the rest of his party, and at one time he ran for state senator against ex- Governor Larrabee, but was defeated. Being tendered the nomination for Congress in 1880, he declined the honor.
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To Mr. and Mrs. Hoagland six children were born, namely: Melissa, - born September 3, 1850, died July 28, 1851 ; John A., born May 5, 1852, was educated in the West Union public schools and Upper Iowa University and for several years he followed farming, then entered the mercantile life in Vermilion, South Dakota, and remained there until his death; Katherine B., who was born September 14, 1854, and died December 25, 1878, was edu- cated in the Upper Iowa University and she taught school a number of terms; Seth D., born November 18, 1857, was educated in the Upper Iowa Univer- sity ; for some time he has been a grain dealer in Kenesaw, Nebraska; Perry J., born March 24, 1860, was educated in the Upper Iowa University, and for several years farmed on the Hoagland homestead, then went to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he is now connected with several prosperous business en- terprises ; Eva G., who was born November 6, 1865, was educated in Upper Iowa University at Fayette, and on March 21, 1896, she married W. F. Phil- lips, which union resulted in the birth of two children, Marcus Henry, born April 6, 1897, and Hazel Elizabeth, born May 5, 1900; both are now attend- ing the public schools of West Union, in which city Mrs. Phillips resides, having a very cozy and attractive home which is often the gathering place for her many friends.
The death of Hiram Hoagland occurred on December 7, 1885, loved, honored and respected by all who knew him. Mrs. Hoagland continued until 1887 to reside on the homestead, whither she came in 1863, finally mov- ing to West Union where she spent her last years at the home of her daugh- ter, Mrs. Phillips, her death occurring on June 14, 1908. She was a woman of beautiful Christian character and admired by a wide circle of friends.
The Hoagland family were always advocates of the Presbyterian faith.
Mr. Hoagland was a fine type of the self-made man, broad-minded, ag- gressive, generous, keen, far-seeing American who win in life's battles from sheer force of character and personality and depend upon no one. By his own efforts, starting in life practically empty handed, he surmounted every obstacle and gained a large competency and an honored position in the county of his residence.
REV. GUSTAV EDWARD BLESSIN.
Fayette county has been the home and the scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives which should serve as a lesson and inspiration to those who follow them onto the stage of life's activities, but who have also
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been of inestimable service through important avenues of usefulness in various : lines.
The honored and highly esteemed pastor of the Lutheran church at Eldo- rado, the Rev. Gustav Edward Blessin, is one of those who have labored long and unceasingly for the amelioration of conditions in this county and whose services have been richly crowned. He is known to all classes as a man of well-rounded character, devoted and loyal, so that there are many salient points which render consonant a tribute to his commendable career. He was born on February 1, 1847, in Berlin, Germany, of an excellent old family, and there he attended school until ten years of age; then entered the Cadet school in Potsdam. He was confirmed there in 1861, in the Garnison church. In 1865 he entered the normal school in Drossen, Germany, finished the pre- scribed course with credit, and then began the study of theology under Loche, Bauer. and I. Deinzer, in the theological school at Neuendettelsan.
Thus well equipped for his high calling, he sought a proper field for the exercise of his talents and where he believed he could accomplish the greatest good as an humble follower of the lowly Nazarene, so he set sail for America, for the purpose of serving in the Lutheran church, in the fall of the year 1871. He became the assistant of the late Rev. I. Hoertein, in Iowa City, Iowa. In the spring of 1872. he followed a call to Crane Creek, Bremer county, Iowa. and he remained there four and one-half years where he did a great work in strengthening the congregation and raising the general moral status of the community and elevating the spiritual tone of the people; this has been his record wherever his lot has been cast. While at Crane Creek he accepted a call from the congregations at Eldorado and Fort Atkinson, in Fayette county, where he is well known, honored and admired by all classes, every- body recognizing his genuine worth and his fidelity to his trust. He says he has worked nearly thirty-four years in sunshine and rain, and that the Lord has guided and provided, and will guide and provide after his promise.
Rev. Blessin is a thoroughly accomplished musician and a teacher of music, renowned for his success and efficiency. He is a thorough scholar, versed in many languages, talented, versatile, a forceful, earnest and eloquent speaker, a deep theologian, a wise but conservative pastor, an excellent church financier and a man who would accomplish great good in any field. He has a beautiful home in Eldorado, and possesses a large and very valuable pri- vate library where he delights to spend much of his time perusing the world's best literature, "losing himself in other men's minds," as Charles Lamb wrote. His home life is simple and unpretentious.
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The acts of Rev. Blessin, both spiritual and temporal, have met with the united approval of his own people and all others as well, the good he has done being deeply engraven on the hearts of the people whom he has served, and the approval of his own conscience and that of the Divine Master are all the reward he wishes for his labors in behalf of the church.
COL. JACOB W. BOPP.
The subject of this biographical review was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 28th of September, 1853. At the time of his birth his parents were on their way to the then frontier country designated on the map as Iowa. He is the oldest child of John Michael and Margaretha Bopp, whose per- sonal sketch appears fully under their own names in this volume.
Jacob W. Bopp was reared amid the environments of pioneer life and his early years were spent in attending the district school and in working on the parental farm. But he early developed a taste for reading and study which ultimately led him into schools of higher standing and he soon de- veloped into a district school teacher. But after two years employed in teach- ing, he again returned to his studies as a student, at Ainsworth's Academy, in West Union, where he spent two years very profitably. During his two years of teaching, it may be added, he spent his evenings in teaching night schools in the surrounding districts and in private study. This special teaching was in the nature of instruction on bookkeeping, commercial arith- metic and penmanship, and Mr. Bopp says that he believes he was as much benefited by this work as any of his students. In the autumn of 1876 the sub- ject became a student in the collegiate department of the Iowa State University, and continued there for two years, when he transferred his allegiance to the Upper Iowa University, in his home county. He earned the money to prosecute his collegiate work as a newspaper correspondent, a line of literary endeavor in which he became very prominent and well known throughout the Northwest, and in which he continued, in connection with other lines, for many years. In the spring of 1880 he became associated with the local papers at Mason City, Iowa, and at the same time served as special corrre- spondent to several metropolitan dailies in the West.
At the convening of the Legislature in 1882, Mr. Bopp was elected secretary of the railroad committee of the Senate and discharged the duties of that position in connection with his work for the press. On adjournment
LINDEN PARK, WEST UNION, IOWA. Home of Col. J. W. Bopp and Mr. Frank E. Whorley.
COL. JACOB W. BOPP.
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of the Legislature he entered upon his journalistic work with renewed vigor, being very actively engaged in politics, and supplied the leading Republican papers of the Northwest with a daily resume of political news. In his ca- pacity as a reporter his presence was required at the leading summer resorts, fairs and expositions, and thus he was enabled to combine sight-seeing and extensive travel with a pleasant and profitable business. While thus em- ployed Mr. Bopp came in contact with the leading men of the state and nation, and was well acquainted with prominent politicians everywhere.
Mr. Bopp took up the preliminary study of law in the office of Miller & Cliggitt, at Mason City, thus multiplying his manifold duties; but he has always been noted as a busy man, and even now, after fortune has smiled upon him, rendering work unnecessary, he probably devotes as many hours to business as any man in Fayette county. In the autumn of 1882 he entered the law department of the State University and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1883. He took up this study, he says, for the mental discipline it afforded, and without any intention of ever practicing law; but it is noticeable that in the manipulation of his extensive real estate business his legal advice is often sought, and is found to be accurate and reliable.
While in law school, in recognition of his ability as a writer, Mr. Bopp was chosen editor of the Vidette Reporter, conducted by the students attending the university. "During commencement week. in connection with a fellow student, he published a special edition, designating it, for the time being, as the Law Times. In this was published a full synopsis of addresses delivered on that occasion, also a general review of the public exercises, notes by the way, and a large amount of information valuable to the embryo lawyer.
After his graduation Mr. Bopp took a few weeks' vacation to visit his home people, and then allied himself with the interests of the Republican party in the capacity of special correspondent to the leading journals of the state. He was employed by the state central committee to report speeches, joint debates etc., and assisted Hon. H. S. Fairall in the preparation of a volume entitled "Manual of Iowa Politics." He continued his connection with the Associated Press until the convening of the Legislature, when he resumed his former position as secretary of the railroad committee of the Senate, and also served in the same position at the succeeding session. While thus employed he was a regular correspondent to the Burlington Hawkeye, Dav-
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enport Gazette, Dubuque Times, Cedar Rapids Republican, and other daily papers.
At the close of the twentieth General Assembly, Mr. Bopp accompanied the delegation of Iowa physicians on their excursion to the International Medical Congress, at Washington, D. C., and reported their proceedings to the press of the country. Following the close of the congress he spent a month in sight-seeing in the national capital, in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and the great cities of the East and South.
Returning to Iowa, Mr. Bopp took an active part in the congressional campaign of 1884, and in the winter following attended the World's Fair at New Orleans, visiting the jetties and other points of interest in the South. Mr. Bopp was the founder of syndicate letters in Iowa, a system of corre- spondence now generally followed by newspaper correspondents. For many years he furnished the farm department for the West Union Gazette, which matter was syndicated to most of the leading papers in Iowa. He assisted in organizng the Fayette County Farmers' Institute, as he did many others, and was an officer or director during all the years that the local institute was in active operation. He was for fifteen years a director of the Fayette County Agriculture Society, and has always been active and zealous in pro- moting its interests.
Several years of his life were spent in connection with the Republican state central committee as reporter for special campaign work and big meet- ings everywhere. While actively in the newspaper harness, he and his co- laborer, A. W. Clancy, gave a complimentary dinner to the newspaper fraternity in Des Moines, at the Capital City Hotel, which was characteristic of the way he treats his friends. The following bill of fare will show with what spirit the guests toasted to the good health and long lives of their hosts :
THE VERY LATEST.
RESCUED FROM THE WATERS Oysters with Soup.
KILLED NEAR CHICAGO. Lake Trout Baked.
VICTIMS OF SEETHING WATERS.
Chicken with Egg Sauce. Leg of Mutton, Caper Sauce.
SCIENTIFIC SHOOTING. Glass Balls with Cream.
SHOT DEAD IN SPORT. Wild Turkey Roasted, with Cranberry Sauce. Roast Mallard Duck, with Currant Jelly.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
A FATAL HOLOCAUST.
Roast Loin of Beef. Loin of Veal, Plain Dressing. FROM TIIE FAR WEST.
Haunch of Venison Roasted. Mountain Squirrel. Wild Pigeons on Toast.
THE GREAT JOINT DISCUSSION.
Roast Chicken, Oyster Dressing.
Pigeon Pie. Fillets of Duckling. Salmi of Wild Pigeon.
AGRICULTURAL CONGRESS.
Sweet Potatoes. Mashed Potatoes. Boiled Potatoes.
Boiled Onions. Turnips. Sauer Kraut. Corn.
A MIXED AFFAIR.
Lobster Salad. Oyster Patties. Salad. Mayonnaise of Chicken. Vol au Vents, Garnished with Macedonia Fruits.
PERSONAL POINTS.
Boston Cream Puffs.
A LOVER'S POEM. Ox-Heart, Braized, Ella Wheeler.
A STRONG SUSPICION. Macaroni and Cheese. LOCAL LAY OUTS.
Lemon Pie. Pumpkin Pie. Mince Pie.
PROIIIBITION POINTS.
Water. Tea. Coffee. Milk.
TIIE MARKETS.
Apples. Nuts. Raisins. Grapes. Oranges.
WINE LIST.
Vinegar Bitters. Wine of Tar. Baby's Bull
Syrup Squills with Ipecac.
POPULAR FLOODS.
Olson's Favorite, Goode's Fighter, Sanford's Contortionist, Kent's Commentary, McCracken's Dude, Painter's Paralyzer, Clarey's Straight, Ros- siter's Turpentine, Persinger's Tornado, McCube's Lower Level, Fair- all's Lightning, Bishard's Hospital, Shaver's Hard Labor, Ayers' Itemizer and all's Lightning, Bishard's Hospital, Shaver's Hard Labor, Ayers' Itemiber and Groves' Annihilator. All warranted to kill.
Mr. Bopp has been an extensive traveler, both in the capacity of a news- gatherer and for his own pleasure and enlightenment. He has made five extensive trips through the South and several through the East, and has made two extended trips through the British possessions on the North.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
But the climax came when he and his brother, Charles W., made their mem- orable trip through all Europe. They embarked on the 12th of May, 1900, and landed at New York, returning September 23d, of the same year. A handsomely printed "Souvenir Itinerary" designates the points to be visited each day during the four months' sojourn abroad, but lack of space prevents its publication here in full.
The subject is a lover of the beautiful, both in nature and art. While on his European trip he made notes and diagrams in the matter of home adornment, which he transplanted to his beautiful suburban home, "Linden Park," on the western margin of West Union. This is one of the most artistically arranged homes and grounds to be found anywhere. A full de- scription is not a possibility in this connection. Suffice to say that the news- papers of the state, both local and foreign, have found "Linden Park" the subject of much favorable comment, and handsome cuts of the premises have been printed in the home papers, the Des Moines papers and others. There are two sets of old English gates, with iron grill work, and handsome ornamental fences inclosing the grounds. The latter are ornamented with beautiful flowers, vines and shrubbery, some of which have been imported from Russia and other northern European countries, while the northern por- tion of the United States and Canada have been searched for hardy plants. trees and shrubs. These have been arranged after the manner of experienced landscape gardeners, and the exterior of the premises is a "thing of beauty and a joy forever."
The conveniences of the place are greatly enhanced by the placing of water hydrants, electric lights, etc., about the grounds, house, barn, poultry houses and pastures. We will not attempt to describe the interior of the house, except to say that it is modern in all respects and fully in keeping with the outside surroundings. It also contains one of the finest private libraries in the state.
Mr. Bopp is a bachelor, and his handsome home is also the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Whorley, who have charge of the premises, farm, stock, etc., and with whom Mr. Bopp makes his permanent home. They have been life-long friends, and he has made his home with them for about fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Whorley take great pride in keeping up and adding to the beauties of "Linden Park," and Mrs. Whorley has shown superior taste in assisting with the laying out of the grounds and the arrangement of the many conveniences. For some time after his return from Europe Mr. Bopp
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was in great demand as a lecturer, and entertained large audiences, both in public and at parlor parties, in reciting the beauties of other countries. But he has always devoted considerable time to the lecture field, usually on topics related to agriculture, horticulture, stock-raising, etc. The "good roads" movement has always received his full support from voice and pen.
The souvenir edition of the West Union Gazette, published in 1898, gives Mr. Bopp some well deserved compliments, intermingled with a super- fluity of "hot air," fired off with the clearness and versatility characteristic of the late Charles H. Talmadge. Mr. Talmadge seemed to deprecate the fact that Mr. Bopp had "swapped" the ever alert faber of a talented, active and popular journalist for the more staid and "homey" employments of a real estate man. This was about the beginning of Mr. Bopp's career in that business, which he took up after a successful siege of farming, or managing, the home estate in-accordance with the latest methods in scientific farming, and in which he and all concerned were phenomenally successful. But Mr. Bopp has always been successful in all of his varied undertakings, a result achieved only by hard work and careful, intelligent management. He is today one of the most successful and widely advertised real estate men in northeastern Iowa.
But Mr. Talmadge again charges that Bopp accepted the appointment to a place on the staff of Governor Drake, serving two years, and thereby acquiring the title of "Colonel," which is liable to stick to him through life
Mr. Bopp possesses a rather striking personality. Even during his student life he took no interest in the usual sports which engage so much of the time and energies of the average student, nor has he ever "acquired the habit." He has never been associated with any secret societies, though admiring their work for humanity and often encouraging others to join them. He is not associated with any religious organization, but is a liberal contributor to the support of the gospel and the up-building of all social and benevolent institutions. During the great temperance movement in Iowa, which placed the prohibitory amendment on the statute books, he took a decided stand in favor of its adoption, and with voice and pen rendered every possible assistance to the cause of temperance and sobriety. Since its adoption, and the ruling of the supreme court rendering it inoperative, he has rendered all possible assistance in furthering legislative enactments looking to the state control of the liquor traffic. He is a man of positive convictions, and what- ever he believes to be right and just receives his hearty support, even though
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alone and unsupported by popular opinion. Like our worthy President, Mr. Bopp wears a smile that will not come off and a temperament adjusted to all occasions. No one ever saw him "ruffled," but a genial smile and pleasant, seductive voice meets every rebuff, and stamps Mr. Bopp as a polished gen- tleman. He is exceptionally well informed, particularly on political topics, and enjoys the acquaintance and friendship of a greater number of promi- nent officials, office-seekers and politicians than any other man in northern Iowa. His Democratic friends delight to place him at the head of the so- called "Republican ring," and Bopp rather enjoys the distinction! He has always declined public office, preferring to help his friends, or his party principles, but would never accept a nomination, though easily within his grasp.
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