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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 citizens 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 character, he was long a valued factor in local affairs and ever commanded unequivocal 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 community 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 Nov 12, 1849, Mr. Hoagland married Elizabeth 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 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 respected 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 engaged 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 hundred acres, which was one of the choice farms of the county. He built attractive and substantial buildings. He was a successful business man, and besides his farm and livestock he became associated in numerous commercial 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 . . . . . . .

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 educated 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 Univeresity; for some time he has been a grain dealer in Kenesaw, Nebraska; Perry J., born March 24, 1860, was educated in 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 enterprises; 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. PHILLIPS, 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 attending 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 moving to West Union where she spent her last years at the home of her daughter, 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. . . . . ."

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Ann Borden