Biographies

~ Hanson, George E. ~

It is with a great degree of satisfaction to the biographer when he reverts to the life of one who has made the rough path of life smooth by his untiring perseverance, has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor, or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to the young men whose fortunes are still matters for the future to determine. For many years George E. Hanson, well known and substantial stock man and agriculturist of Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, has directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance has won pronounced success. He has not only by his industry, fair dealing and sound judgment improved a fine farm and gained a competency, but has materially assisted in the general welfare of the community, in many ways lending his valuable time and influence in the promulgation of various uplifting movements, consequently he is eminently deserving of the high esteem in which he is universally held and of the confidence reposed in him by all classes.

Mr. Hanson was born on the farm where he still resides in Clear Creek Township, on January 11, 1863, and here he has been content to spend his life, gradually advancing himself from an humble beginning to a position of ease and affluence, one of the most substantial men of the Township, all through his individual, unaided efforts. He is the son of Hans and Mary (Ashton) Hanson, the father born in Norway, April 13, 1828, and the mother was born in Ohio; her death occurred at Collins, Iowa, in October 1896. When young in years the father came to America, locating in Iowa in an early day and here spent practically the rest of his life. He was a man of sterling traits, brave and a hard worker. He was a member of the famous band of forty-niners and he crossed the great western plains with an ox team to California, remaining in that state four years, then went to Australia and remained there four years, returning to the United States by way of Liverpool, England, thus circumnavigating the globe. His death occurred at Collins, Iowa, on September 14, 1896. His family consisted of seven children, four of whom are living, named as follows: J. B. is deceased; George E., of this sketch; S. S. lives at Collins; Mrs. Hulda Faucett, of Maxwell; Amos lives at Collins; William and Myrtle are deceased.

George E. Hanson grew up on the home farm where he began working in the fields when but a boy, and during the winter months he attended the public schools in his district. He took up farming for a livelihood and when but a boy evinced an especial bent toward cattle and feeds from five to six carloads yearly. Today no better judge of cattle could be found than he.

Mr. Hanson was married on April 11, 1894, to Edna Rippey, who was born in Independence Township, this County, on March 7, 1867. She is the daughter of William and Ann (Arnsworth) Rippey, the father born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, April 9, 1829, and the mother's birth occurred there on April 11th of the same year. They grew up in their native community and were married in 1859. Mr. Rippey was seventeen years old when, in 1854, he came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Jasper County and was thus one of the early pioneers here; however, he later returned to Indiana, but came back to this County during the latter fifties and has since made his home here, living now at Ira. He served with much credit in the Union army during the Civil War. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the largest landowners and substantial citizens of the County, owning at one time one thousand acres and he yet retains six hundred acres, after giving considerable land to his children, of whom there were eight, named as follows: Mrs. Fannie E. Lowe died in Idaho; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Parker lives in Sherman Township, this County; Mrs. Martha Byal lives in Clear Creek Township, Jasper County; Francis J. lives near the town of Ira, this County; Frederick Grant and Mary are both deceased; Jessie M. is also deceased. Mr. Rippey was again married in 1910 to Eva Blackwood, a native of this County. Mr. Rippey is a well-known and highly respected gentleman whom to know is to admire.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hanson six children have been born, namely: Harold, whose birth occurred January 1, 1895; Grace, born March 31, 1896; Lars, born June 19, 1901; Louis, born August 30, 1902; Hollis, born October 7, 1907; James B., born August 2, 1910.

Politically, Mr. Hanson is a Republican and he has taken considerable interest in local affairs. He has served very acceptably as Township Trustee and as a member of the local school board. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are liberal supporters.

Mr. Hanson has been very successful in a business way, laying by an ample competency for his declining years. He is the owner of five hundred and thirty-three acres of choice, productive and well-improved land in Clear Creek Township, eighty acres of desirable land in Independence Township, this County, besides one hundred and sixty acres in Texas. He has two sets of excellent buildings on the land in Clear Creek Township. His attractive, modern home, commodious barns and outbuildings make his one of the finest country homes in Jasper County. Everything about the place not only denotes good taste and careful management, but thrift and prosperity, also. He carries on farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He maintains all the modern comforts and conveniences in and at his home, such as an automobile, piano, etc., and his house is heated with hot water, installed with gaslights and many other up-to-date appliances. He is a director in the Exchange State Bank of Collins. He is interested in Percheron horses, having at the head of his statues the well-known "Bismark," No. 40689, American register. Owing to their superior grade and quality, his fine horses never fail to bring fancy prices when offered for sale.

Personally, Mr. Hanson is a congenial, liberal, broad-minded, unassuming gentleman whom it is a pleasure to know. Page 1211.

~ Harding, J. P. ~

The Harding family has long been well and favorably known in the vicinity of which this history treats and they have done their full share in the work of advancing general conditions and are therefore eminently deserving of representation in a history of the nature of the one at hand. One of the best known is Claudius Harding, of Baxter, who was born in Marietta Township, Marshall County, Iowa, December 4, 1878, and with the exception of eleven years spent in South Dakota, he has lived in this vicinity. His father, J. P. Harding, was born in Lawrence County, near Newcastle, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1851, and is now residing in Eden Township, Marshall County. His mother, known in her maidenhood as Delia A. Wright, was born in Van Buren County, Michigan, near Coldwater, October 12, 1860, and her death occurred at Wessington Springs, South Dakota, November 11, 1896.

There were ten children in the Harding family, named as follows: Claudius is the eldest; Orville Raymond, born April 26, 1880, is living in Caspar, Wyoming; Merrill J., born November 12, 1882, is a pharmacist in Des Moines, Iowa; Blanche E., born August 30, 1884, who is living in Omaha, is stenographer for the Cudahy Packing Company; Clayton W., born June 18, 1886, is living in Eden Township, Marshall County, with her father; Mrs. Delia A. Grant, born December 30, 1888, makes her home at Jireh, Wyoming; Vera, born February 4, 1890, is studying and will graduate in 1913 as nurse; Josephine, born March 23, 1891, is a professional nurse; Laura J., born May 20, 1893, is living at the family homestead in Eden Township; Edith M., born November 1, 1896, lives with her aunt at Albion, Iowa. The wife and mother dying when the youngest child was but ten days old, the responsibilities of rearing this family devolved upon the husband and father, and, being a man of extra-ordinary grit and foresight, he has performed his work admirably, being enabled to give his children good educations in the common schools, at the same time providing well for their every necessity materially, for he fully realized that without proper schooling they would have little chance in this world of specialization. Merrill was graduated from Highland Park College. Des Moines, and four daughters were graduated from the high school and two have taught school in this community. The three eldest children were born in Marshall County, the younger ones in South Dakota.

Claudius Harding grew up on the home farm and he has always known the meaning of hard work and has succeeded in the affairs of life as a result of his close application. He was united in marriage on March 15, 1906, with Ida Adelle Perin, who was born in Independence Township, Jasper County, March 15, 1881. She attended the common schools of the neighborhood and for one year was in the Baxter high school. Her father, Henry I. Perin, a complete sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, was one of the early settlers in this part of Iowa and he was a soldier in the War Between the States. Her mother, known in her maidenhood as Almira Porter, was born in Scott County. Iowa. Both these parents reside in Baxter, Jasper County.

To Mr. and Mrs. Harding have been born one daughter, Gertrude Almira, March 29, 1907, and one son, Austin, April 9, 1909, both in Independence Township, this County.

Politically, Mr. Harding is a Republican and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mrs. Harding holds her membership with the Reorganized Church of the Latter-Day Saints. In their cozy home is always to be found that rarest of earthly boons, contentment. Page 1201.

~ Harmon, L. T. ~

The subject of this sketch is known to be a man of courage, self-reliance and of the utmost integrity of purpose, as a result of which he has, during his entire life, stood high in the estimation of his neighbors and friends and is therefore deserving of a place in this book.

L. T. Harmon was born in Jasper County, Iowa, July 28, 1866. He grew to manhood and was educated there and has always been identified with the agricultural interests of this and Marshall Counties. He is the son of William Harmon, who married Mrs. Julia A. Miller-McKeever, early settlers of Jasper County; the father died in Jasper County and the mother in Dallas County. A. L. Harmon, twin brother of L. T., of this review, resides in Adel, Iowa; J. A., another brother, died in Dallas County; M. J. lives in Adel; W. S. lives in Dallas County; Ola May died at the age of nine years. The mother of these children had the following children by her first marriage: B. A., of Des Moines; D. A., of Mingo, Iowa; W. L. resides at Oswalt, Iowa; Amanda A. is deceased; Emma Beard, of Jasper County; Samantha Humphrey, of Dallas County; Evaline died in Dallas County; J. H. is deceased; Loretta died when eighteen years of age; S. H. lives in Kansas.

L. T. Harmon, of this review, was married on January 22, 1889, to Hattie Elizabeth Thompson, who was born in Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, August 27, 1871, and there she grew to womanhood and attended school. Her father, Samuel Thompson, who was one of the early settlers of Jasper County, was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1830. When ten years of age he moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and remained there until 1851, when he moved to Jasper County, Iowa, and he has continued to live in this locality ever since, being now a resident of State Center Township, Marshall County. His father, William Thompson, who was a forty-niner, was a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and he died in Iowa; the mother, Margaret Morehead, also a native of Pennsylvania, died in Iowa. Samuel Thompson was third in a family of nine children. He was married in 1852 to Harriet Deeter, who died the following year, after which he married a sister of his first wife, Catherine H. Deeter, who was born in 1833 and died in Rhodes, Iowa. One child, Margaret Ellen Dodd, was born of the first union, her birth occurring on December 19, 1852; she is living in Jasper County.

To the second union eleven children were born, namely: Mary Alulia McNorris lives at Valley Junction, Iowa; Annis Capron is deceased; Samuel lives at Olathe, Kansas; Lillian Walker is deceased; Jennie Signs lives in Olathe, Kansas; Rose Hand lives in Colo, Iowa; Sadie Corbett lives at State Center, Iowa; John lives at Clyde, Iowa. The youngest son died in infancy; Hattie Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Harmon, of this review.

Samuel Thompson owns a well-improved farm of two hundred and twelve acres in Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa. He is a veteran of the Civil War, having enlisted in Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he served two years and eight months in the Army of the Potomac. He is one of the honored pioneers of Iowa, having come overland from Hancock County, Ohio. In 1860 he made an overland trip to Pike's Peak. He is now making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Corbett, of State Center.

Four sons have been born to Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Harmon, of this review, namely: Ora C., born July 21, 1890, lives in Marshall County; Clare G., born April 15, 1897 is with his parents on the farm; Leonidas B., born August 6, 1899; Russell A., born February 12, 1906. The eldest child was born in Jasper County, the others in Marshall County, Ora C. having been born on the same farm on which his mother was born.

Politically, Mr. Harmon is a Democrat and he has been a member of the school board. He belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America at Rhodes. The son, Ora C., belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Rhodes. Mrs. Harmon is a member of Crystal Chapter No. 11, Order of the Eastern Star at Rhodes. Page 654.

~ Harre, Otto ~

If a list could be made of the original homes of the old settlers of this portion of Iowa it would be found that a very large number of them came to Jasper County from the German Empire, or at least their ancestors did, some of them, maybe, settling in the old Keystone or Empire states or other sections of the East, and not a few in the Badger and Wolverine states of the North, and from these their descendants emigrated to this section; thus thousands of our best citizens are of this descent and blood. The German people are noted the world over for their thrift, honesty and industry, and for that reason the United States has always welcomed them to our shores. One of the progressive farmers of Independence Township, Jasper County, who belongs to the second generation of Germans in America is Otto Harre, whose birth occurred in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, December 2, 1870. He is the son of Fred and Wilhelmina (Meierkort) Harre, both natives of Lippe-Detmold, Germany, the father on June 4, 1830, and the mother on October 3, 1848. There they spent their childhood, and immigrated to America in early life, locating in Wisconsin, from which state they came to Jasper County, Iowa, when their son Otto, of this sketch, was quite young. Here they established a good home through their untiring industry and honesty, and here the father spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in Independence Township on September 4, 1888; the mother survives, living now in Baxter.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Harre, all of whom are living; they were named as follows: Mrs. Emma Kracht, who lives in Baxter; Fred, who lives in Pleasanton, Nebraska; Mrs. Pauline Geise, born October 3, 1864, lives in Malaka Township; Otto, of this sketch; Albert, born August 13, 1873, lives in Waverly, Iowa; Mrs. Mattie Kanne, born April 19, 1875, lives in Malaka Township; Mrs. Clara Hager, born October 30, 1877, lives in Baxter; William, born August 20, 1879. The elder children were born in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, the younger ones in Independence Township, Jasper County, Iowa.

Politically, Mr. Harre is a Republican and he has been a member of the school board in Eden Township, Marshall County, and he has always been active in bettering the conditions of his vicinity.

Mr. Harre is the owner of one of the best farms in Eden Township, Marshall County, which he has placed under excellent improvements and a high state of cultivation. He has carried on general farming and stock raising, and he has a good home and splendid outbuildings. Page 1341.

~ Hart, George C. ~

In studying the interesting life histories of many of the better class of men, and the ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it will be found that they have been compelled, very largely, to map out their own career and furnish their own motive force in scaling the heights of success, and it is such a one that the biographer writes of in these paragraphs.

George C. Hart, a prominent citizen of Newton. Jasper county, is the son of Cyrus W. and Agnes M. (Duff) Hart, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather was also named Cyrus; the latter married Susan Ewing, who emigrated from Ireland with her parents when three years of age and they located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The grandfather was born in Vermont and after his marriage lived in Ohio and reared a family of seven children. He was quite a talented man, being a musician and an author of note in that locality. Those of the children who came west were Theodore Hart, a former physician of Galesburg, this County, and also of Newton, now deceased. Harriet Denniston, whose husband mysteriously disappeared while on a trip to Philadelphia with a load of horses; George Denniston, of Newton, is their son. Susan was the wife of Wilson Tompson, now deceased; he was a farmer in Buena Vista Township; James Hart was also a farmer in that township; Cyrus, father of the subject, and Lucy, who married James lrwin, were twins; she is deceased. Mr. lrwin was a farmer in Buena Vista Township and hardware merchant in Newton.

Cyrus Hart, the father, was born in 1833, and his wife, who was the daughter of a farmer, was born in 1836. They immigrated to Iowa in the pioneer days, descending the Ohio River, and thence up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, then hauled their goods overland with ox teams to Mahaska County, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Not having been used to a prairie country they found the winters uncomfortably severe, and the following spring sold their place and moved to Jasper County and bought two hundred and forty acres in the timber, in Buena Vista Township. There was a stone quarry upon the place, which proved to be a lucrative source of revenue. Some of the stone, which entered into the construction of the old Jasper county court house, was taken from this quarry. In 1866 Mr. Hart traded this place for one hundred and sixty acres in section 20, Buena Vista Township; later he added to this until he owned four hundred and seventy-eight acres, which he retained until 1892, when he retired and moved to Newton, having laid by a competency and become one of the substantial men of his community, but he was not engaged in farming all that time. He owned a house and lot where the present opera house now stands, and he was at one time engaged in the shipping business. He was the first citizen of Jasper County to start a dairy and creamery; however, there was one here before his, but it was operated by outside capital. While on his farm he was a heavy stock shipper and before the railroad was put through he was compelled to drive his stock to Kellogg for shipping. Mr. Hart died in Newton in 1907, honored and respected by all; one of the county's early settlers, he was one of its successful and progressive as well as influential business men, public spirited and active in the advance movements of his day and generation. It is a singular coincidence that his death and that of all the other deceased members of the Hart family occurred in February.

The family of Cyrus Hart consisted of six children, namely: John died in infancy; Emma, who married Dr. I. H. Moore, of Monroe, now lives at Seattle, Washington; until recent years he was superintendent of the Treadwell Mine in Alaska; Madge married Jesse McClintock, and they live in Missouri; Charles is engaged in the mercantile business at Blackfoot, Idaho; Fanny, who married Milt Carrier, lives in Newton, Iowa; and George C., of this review. The mother of these children was called to her rest in February 1904.

George C. Hart, the third child in order of birth in his father's family, was born in Jasper County, October 6, 1858. He received a good education and when twenty-one years of age he bought eighty acres of land from his father, and that year the father started in the creamery business and he induced his son to remain and manage the same for him, and in order to fully equip himself for this line of endeavor he went to a college where dairying is taught and took a course in the same, then returned and took charge of the business, which, under his able management, rapidly grew to large proportions and was a very paying enterprise. Four years later he operated a dairy at Lynnville; later he rented his father's place and successfully operated the farm for six years. At the end of that time he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Palo Alto Township, in section 13. Eight years later he sold this and for two years he engaged in the stock and meat market business in Newton. He then bought land in South Dakota, also one hundred and sixty acres in Buena Vista Township, about a mile from his birthplace. In all these business ventures he was successful.

On February 18, 1885, Mr. Hart was united in marriage with Alma Eaton, who was born November 14, 1858, the daughter of Fred and Carrie (Hodges) Eaton, the father a native of Ohio and the mother was born in the state of New York. Mr. Eaton came to Jasper County, Iowa, many years ago and is today one of the county's prominent citizens; he was elected County Recorder for two terms. He and his wife live in Newton. Twelve children were born to them, namely: Frank died when thirteen years old; William is farming in Newton Township; Carrie married Gus Ericson and lives at Red Oak, Iowa; Arthur lives in Newton; Truman makes his residence in Kellogg Township; Harry lives at Shenandoah, Page County; Horace is deceased; Fred, Jr., lives in California; Sherman is deceased; Addie married Alton Reynolds and lives in Denver, Colorado; Anna Belle is deceased.

To Mr. and Mrs. George C. Hart three children have been born: Grace, born February 14, 1886, married Dr. William Nelson, a dentist at Essex, Page county; Mabel, born May 13, 1888, married Dr. H. D. Bergman, member of the faculty of Ames College, Ames, Iowa; C. Fred, born January 29, 1896, also lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are the fond grandparents of one little baby girl, Marjorie, born May 20, 1909, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. Mrs. Hart's grandfather Hodges was in the Revolutionary War.

George C. Hart has long been prominent in political affairs, and in 1900 he was elected County Supervisor, and has since been re-elected. He is the inventor of a combination street fountain for the watering of both man and beast, that has many unique features which bids fair to become very popular.

Mr. Hart is the owner of good city property and his home is an attractive and commodious one.

Fraternally, Mr. Hart is a member of Modern Woodmen Camp No. 182 at Newton. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church of this city and are liberal supporters of the same. Page 456

~ Harvey, John H. Sr. ~

The history of Jasper County reveals the handiwork of many a great and noble soul who wrought heroically and unselfishly. Her smiling fields and splendid homes, her high-grade institutions, her happy, prospering people speak volumes of someone's steadfastness of purpose, of someone's strength of arm, courage of heart, activity of brain-of someone's sacrifice. But time, that grim obliterator, before whose destroying fingers even the stubborn granite must, in the end succumb, is ever at his work of disintegration. Beneath his blighting touch even memory fails, and too often a life of glorious achievement is forgotten in a day. Lest we forget, then, this tribute to the elder John H. Harvey is penned. Pioneer, early freighter, a public-spirited, brave, kindly, generous man, it is the desire of the biographer, as it must be of all who know him, that his deeds and his character be recorded for the benefit of those who follow after. By no means rich, as mere worldly possessions are estimated, he is rich in a thousand thronging memories of the rugged days, long gone, when hardy men stood shoulder to shoulder and fought to conquer the western wilderness. Hale and strong, although well past eighty, he may be seen, almost daily, moving about the streets of Newton, now a city, but, when first he saw it, a mere cluster of huts, set in the midst of the new prairie. A few there were who preceded him into this virgin country, but they are very few, Mr. Harvey having been numbered among its very first settlers. He freighted the first printing press to be seen in Newton, from Muscatine, and did many other useful things in the course of natural events, always doing whatever he could to encourage the growth of the County.

Mr. Harvey was born in Madison County, New York, January 15, 1828, and he is the son of Nathan and Oriel (Lyman) Harvey, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Connecticut. The paternal grandfather was born in Ireland. Nathan Harvey originally worked as a wool dresser, but, after following this occupation some five years, he began farming, then, when his son, John H., of this review, was about four years old, he sold his farm and began keeping a tavern on the famous old Cherry Valley Turnpike. This the father conducted for over sixteen years, the place becoming widely known to the traveling public. Thus the boyhood and young manhood of the son was full of that romance which clung so tenaciously about those early hostelries. Day after day he watched the wagons come and go which were bearing the emigrants from the east westward, and night by night he sat by the roaring fire-place and listened to many a fine old tale of adventure or sentiment. But though the tavern had a public bar in connection and drinking was very common, he never touched liquor, and this fact. When we consider the easy freedom of those early times, speaks much for his sterling character.

When about twenty-five years of age, Mr. Harvey came to Jasper County and three years later his father came. In December 1857, he built the house where he now resides in Newton. For a year his parents lived with him. He then moved to himself and later to Harrison County, Iowa, where his father and mother both died.

John H. Harvey was married when about twenty years old while living in New York, to Percy Ann Roberts, who died two years later, leaving three children, namely: Charles, who is now living in Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Mrs. R. N. Stewart, of Severs, Iowa; and Mrs. Eva Bodley, of Jasper County. When Mr. Harvey came west he left the children with his father and mother. Mr. Harvey was again married, his second wife being Harriet Fenton, who died about eighteen years ago; to this union five children were born, all of whom are living, namely: Edward, William, John H., Jr., and Carrie L., all of Newton; and George, who lives at Laramie, Wyoming.

John H. Harvey, Jr., was born on September 7, 1871, in Newton, and he has spent his life in Jasper County. He is a painter by trade and since he was sixteen years of age he has successfully followed this occupation. During the last ten years he has been employed in the works of the Maytag Manufacturing Company, the last nine years of this period performing very acceptably the duties of foreman of the painting department. He has charge of the painting of all the manufactured output of the factory. On April 10, 1895 he was united in marriage with Louise Miller, a native of Wisconsin and the daughter of Conrad Miller, both her parents being natives of Germany. They immigrated to America in an early day and settled in Wisconsin, later came to Jasper County, Iowa, and they are now living on a farm near Baxter, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. John H. Harvey, Jr., have been born two children, Harlan J., born April 17, 1898, and Edwena, a daughter, born September 7, 1903, her father's birthday.

Mrs. Harvey is a member of the German Reform Church, and she and Mr. Harvey belong to the Pythian Sisters. The latter is very prominent in lodge circles. He is a member of Newton Lodge No. 59, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Newton, of which he is senior deacon, also Delta Lodge No. 53, Knights of Pythias, of Newton. He has passed all the chairs in this lodge and is at present one of the trustees of the grand lodge of Iowa. He is also a member of the Yeomen.

Young Mr. Harvey has been active in political affairs for some time, and in 1904 he was nominated as Democratic candidate for auditor of Jasper County, but was defeated, though he made an exceptionally strong race, running ahead of his ticket. At the spring election, 1909* he was elected to the city council of Newton, and, having made a most creditable record, he was reelected in the spring of 1911. He has served his party organization in many ways and is a clean, energetic and capable young business man, having the trust and respect of all who know him. His sister, Carrie, is a popular newspaper woman, of exceptional ability and intelligence; she is connected with the Newton Daily Journal, one of the leading papers of this section of the state.

Since coming to Jasper County, May 21, 1854, John H. Harvey, Sr., has spent nearly all of his time in the County. As a freighter he was once an important factor in the early affairs of the County. For a number of years he hauled all kinds of goods from Muscatine to Newton, then, in 1859, he began freighting westward to Denver. In 1864 he turned his attention to farming, which he continued successfully up to sixteen years ago, since which time he has led a retired life, and, at peace with all the world, he is now enjoying that consideration and good will which a life well spent has earned for him. While never considering himself a politician, he has always taken the keenest interest in politics and in those great movements, which make for the advancement and betterment of his fellow men. He has served the city of Newton as supervise of roads and was for nine years constable, his duties taking him all over this country. In religious belief he is a Congregationalist and politically, while he voted for Abraham Lincoln, he is now a Democrat.

The subject is one of seven children, but four of whom are living; they are: Miles, the eldest, died in New Tacoma, California; John H., of this review, was second in order of birth; Addison died in Harrison County, Iowa O. B. lives in Ashland, Colorado; Emmet lives in St. Charles, Iowa; Mrs. Theodora Gee, widow of George W. Gee, lives in Oakland, California; Mary died in Harrison County, Iowa. Page 660.

~ Hasselbrink, Christoph ~

One of the German born citizens, a native of Barkow-by-Godems, Mecklenburg-Schwerm, who has won success as a farmer and stock raiser solely through individual enterprise and courage is Christoph Hassselbrink, a man whom any community would delight to have in its midst, for he is not only progressive in material things, but has proven himself to be law-abiding and honorable in his relations with his fellowmen.

Mr. Hasselbrink was born in Germany on July 26,1861. He is the son of Henry Christian Hasselbrink and Henrietta (Jabb) Hasselbrink, both born and reared in the fatherland, the father dying there October 26, 1892, and the mother died in 1909, in Jasper County, Iowa. The father worked principally as a day laborer. Their family consisted of five sons and one daughter, Christoph, of this sketch, being the fourth in order of birth.

The subject grew up in his native land and there received such education as the community in which he lived afforded and he worked on the farm in crop seasons. He emigrated alone to the United States in 1883, locating at Des Moines, Iowa, but soon afterwards went to work on a farm near that city, remaining there for a period of fourteen years, during which time he saved his money and got a start in the world. He then went to Texas and became a railroad laborer for different roads, working at construction work and on section for three wars. In 1888 he camp to Kellogg, Jasper County, Iowa, to make his future home. Here, he was employed by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad for seven years at construction work and on the section, becoming an expert in this work. Then, in 1895, turning his attention to farming, he rented a farm for two years, then moved to Marshall County and lived on rented farms until 1908, then began renting the C. W. Craven farm in Mariposa Township, Jasper County. In the spring of 1911 he purchased one hundred and forty acres on the north boundary of Mariposa Township, known as the old Christ Freese farm, and he moved to his permanent home March 1, 1912.

Politically, Mr. Hasselbrink is a Democrat and he was reared a Lutheran.

Mr. Hasselbrink was married on January 30, 1889, to Amelia Schultz, who was born in Germany on October 26, 1861, the daughter of John and Kathrina (Detloff) Schultz, who came from Germany to Kellogg, Iowa, in the year 1880. To the subject and wife have been born eight children, named as follows: Carl, William, Albert, Amelia, Elsie, Hugo, Lela and Louis. By a former marriage Mrs. Hasselbrink became the mother of two children who are living at home, John and Andrew Lunt. Page 845.

~ Hawkins, J. C. ~

"Unique" is the term that best describes the subject of this review. Not so in a notorious way, nor yet in the realm of cheap tinsel and tawdry accomplishment, but unique as a man who is worth while, who is so original as to be apart from the great rank and file of his fellow men.

J. C. Hawkins looks like Bourke Cochran and can talk almost as well. He is cynical without being bitter, sarcastic without being narrow or unkind. Then he is so absolutely wide-awake and alive to what the world is doing and what life means. He was born in Troy, Doniphan County, Kansas, April 30, 1869, being the son of H. C. and Susan (Wormley) Hawkins, his father being a native of New York and his mother of Pennsylvania. His father was one of the best-known men and ablest lawyers in Kansas, being elected to the Legislature of that State and leading attorney for the Santa Fe Railway Company for many years prior to his death, which occurred in 1874. As a speaker his reputation was equal to his fame as a lawyer. After the death of the father, Mr. Hawkins's mother remarried, her husband being J. Evans Ryan, an Episcopal minister of Troy, Kansas. This marriage took place when the subject of this review was but six years of age, he being the only child by the former marriage. When his mother and stepfather came to Jasper County in 1880, the little boy came with them and he has since remained in Jasper County, although there was a time when he was absent, while traveling for his health for a period of some five years. His stepfather departed this life in 1893 and since then his mother has made her home in the city of Newton. Mr. Hawkins began his career in 1892 by graduating from the law department of the Iowa State University of Iowa City. After this he went to Pueblo, Colorado, where he opened a law office in partnership with William Mitchell, practicing one year. Returning to Monroe, Iowa, he practiced law one year in partnership with Sloan Coder, afterwards coming to Newton, where he has since remained.

Mr. Hawkins, since coming to Newton, has been connected with some of the most important cases in the history of the County, his efforts being characterized by signal success. Until the last year prior to this writing, he has given his attention exclusively to the law, but since then has given much attention to the manufacture and sale of an excellent office device known as the "Clipless Paper Fastener," of which he is the inventor. This device, standing almost alone among paper fasteners, securely fastens the sheets of paper together by the paper itself and is in constant and ever increasing demand, being on sale in every leading city in the world. As an assistance to his salesmen, who handle his invention, Mr. Hawkins has written a delightfully ingenious little book, "Salesmanship, or How to Make Money, which is well worthy of perusal as it contains much trite information which could only be gained by actual experience.

On October 18, 1904, Mr. Hawkins was married to Eva Ketman, of Humboldt, Iowa, daughter of H. J. and Frances Ketman, she being one of twelve children living: Adrian, Abraham, Hermanus and one sister, Mary Flemeigh, wife of Charles Flemeigh, are all engaged in farming near Humboldt; Francis, wife of Fred Morgan, professor in Leland Stanford University, California; Jennie, wife of Frank Carpenter, a jeweler, resides in Trenton, Iowa; Isaac, residing in Winterset, Iowa, is the owner of the Scarless Liniment Company; Peter is in the real estate business in Minnesota; and T. R., a minister, is general manager for the Baptist Publishing Society of Chicago. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are most affable and cultured people whom it is a pleasure to know. They are among the best of Newton's people. Page 637.

~ Hayes, Andrew Jackson ~

Among those who have borne an active part in the pioneer period of this County is the well known farmer of Elk Creek Township whose name introduces this sketch, whom to know is to honor and respect. Andrew Jackson Hayes, a Buckeye by birth, has long been one of the highly esteemed citizens of the Township of his residence and it is with pleasure that the following brief outline of his life and achievements is accorded a place in this volume, which is devoted to a review of Jasper's representative men. That he is one of such, no one who has known him since his residence began in our midst nearly a half century ago, will deny.

Mr. Hayes was born in Perry County, Ohio, March 30, 1844. He is the son of Bazel Cooper Hayes and Mary Pickeral Hayes, the father born in Maryland on December 25, 1800, and the mother in Perry County, Ohio. The father was young when he came to Perry County, Ohio, and there they grew up and were married. He had lived in Baltimore prior to his leaving the Oriole state. He learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in connection with farming, but devoted the principal part of his life to the latter pursuit. It was about 1846 or 1847 that the Hayes family moved to Licking County, Ohio, where the father of the subject purchased a farm. The mother dying when the subject was two and one-half years of age, the father later remarried, his second wife being Hannah Matthews. The death of Bazel C. Hayes occurred in Ohio in 1863. He was a very radical Democrat, but a loyal supporter of the Union. Although he was an admirer of Stephen A. Douglas, he was an abolitionist. He and his wife belonged to the Christian Church.

Andrew J. Hayes, of this review, had two sisters, and two half-sisters and a half-brother. The subject is the second child and, being the oldest son, he began assisting his father with the general work on the home farm when quite young, and although he was kept busy in the fields the major part of the year, he found time to attend school in the brief winter months in Licking County, Ohio. The schools being excellent for those days, he became fairly well educated. When twenty years of age he hired to A. V. Cooper to drive five hundred sheep from Licking County, Ohio, to Jasper County, Iowa. That was in 1864. He and his assistants were fifty-two days on the trip, which required considerable hardship and labor. Mr. Cooper owned considerable land in Jasper County. Being pleased with the prospect here, the subject decided to remain, so he continued to reside here for two years, working by the month. He then married and lived on his father-in-law's place, that of John Wheeler. In 1881 he bought forty acres in Elk Creek Township and has since made it his home. He has served as justice of the peace for a period of sixteen years, filling this post of duty in a manner that stamps him as a faithful and able public servant and he has given the utmost satisfaction to all concerned. His decisions have been characterized by fairness and have seldom met with reversal at the hands of a higher tribunal. Mr. Hayes has long been a loyal supporter of the Democratic Party.

On November 14, 1869, occurred the marriage of Andrew J. Hayes with Emeline Melissa Wheeler, who was born in McLean County, Illinois. She was the daughter of John Wheeler, who came to Jasper County in 1856 and here Mrs. Hayes spent her girlhood and attended the early schools of the district in which the family resided.

The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hayes: Will B. and Artemissia are deceased; Lee B. is living in Newton; Mrs. Nellie Zanderman, Arthur, Agnes 0.; Mrs. Myrtle Blacklidge of Waterloo, Iowa; Maud, who is now deceased, were twins; Nina was the youngest in order of birth. Page 711.

~ Helming, Thomas ~

Life is pleasant to live when we know how to make the most of it. Some people start on their careers as if they had weights on their souls, or were afraid to make the necessary effort to live up to a high standard. Others, by not making a proper study of the conditions of existence, or by not having the best of all trainers, good parents, are side-tracked at the outset and never seem thereafter to be able to get back again on the main track. Much depends on the start, just as it does in a race. The horse that gets the best start, all other things being equal, will almost invariably win the race. So in the race of life, if you are properly started with suitable grooming, such as good educational and home training, you will lead in the race in after years and enjoy your existence. Such home influences were thrown around Thomas Helming, well-known contractor of Baxter, Jasper County. Both father and mother were people of sound principles and exemplary habits and at their deaths, a number of years ago, there was no word of reproach spoken by anyone, and they left a name revered by all their many friends.

Thomas Helming was born in Waukon, Allamakee County, Iowa, October 7, 1865. He is the son of Conrad and Wilhelmina Helming, both born in Germany, the father in the province of Lippe-Detmold, and there they spent their early lives, emigrating to America in the year 1842, and established a good home in Allamakee County, Iowa, in the early days, and there they both died, the father at the age of seventy-four years. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living at this writing, namely: Fred, deceased; George lives at Alexandria, Minnesota; John lives in Chicago; Thomas of this sketch; Frederick and Albert are both deceased. These children were born and reared in Allamakee County.

Thomas Helming grew to manhood in Allamakee and Dubuque Counties, being reared on the farm, and he received his education in the common schools. Upon leaving the farm he engaged in the implement business in Baxter for a period of four years, enjoying a good trade. In 1893 he moved to Jasper County and has since resided here. He engaged in the lumber business in the town of Baxter for a period of six years. He gave up this line of endeavor in 1899 and took up the implement business again, which he continued for five years. He is at present engaged as a contracting mason and bricklayer in Baxter and is kept busy with numerous big jobs.

Mr. Helming understands thoroughly every phase of the work in which he is now engaged and, being an honest, conscientious contractor, he has all the work be can do in all seasons.

The subject was married on December 6, 1889, to Ida Hager, who was born in Allamakee County, this state, October 17, 1867, and there she grew to womanhood and received her education. She is the daughter of Simon and Minnie (Krampe) Hager, both natives of Germany, the father born on July 7, 1835, and the mother in July 1848. There they spent their earlier years, finally immigrating to Allamakee County, Iowa, where they established a good home and there the father is still living, the mother having died on May 4, 1900. They became the parents of ten children, named as follows, and all living in 1912: William lives in Waukon, Iowa; Mrs. Ida Helming lives in Baxter; Mrs. Mary M. Kanne lives in Malaka Township, this County; Mrs. Sophia Flage lives in Allamakee County; Mrs. Minnie Toney lives in Waukon, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Bauercamper lives in Allamakee County; Mrs. Meta Kreiger, of Allamakee County; Lizzie lives on the old home place in Allamakee County, on which Albert also lives; Mrs. Ella Ernst, wife of Rev. Ernst, of St. Paul, Minnesota. These children were all born and reared in Allamakee County.

To Mr. and Mrs. Helming has been born one son, Arthur Benjamin, whose birth occurred in Allamakee County on August 31, 1892. He completed the high school at Baxter with the class of 1906, then attended Drake University at Des Moines for two terms. He is at present engaged as clerk in the Baxter Mercantile Company's store at Baxter, and is a young man of much promise.

Politically, Mr. Helming is a Republican, but while he has always been interested in the progress of his community along all lines he has never been an aspirant for public favors. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Baxter, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Waukon, Iowa.

Mr. Helming has a pleasant and well-furnished home in Baxter, which he keeps well supplied with good literature. Page 1078.

~ Hendricks, Fred ~

From forty to sixty years ago it must have been the rule and not the exception to see farms in Jasper County in all directions in various stages of improvement, some in which the log cabin stood on the bare prairie or in the little clearing of half an acre, some with a tract of from five to twenty acres, newly broken and with a hewed or rough bark house, perhaps a double one; some with still more acres upturned to the genial skies and basking in the life-giving sunshine. On nearly all farms were to be seen for years after the first work had been done spots which the farmer thought it necessary to avoid on account of thick, heavy stumps, and low wet places, needing drainage ditches. Today a great difference is noted. On all these old fields something is growing, the soil having long ago been reclaimed from the wild. Fred Hendricks, one of our prosperous and most progressive farmers passed through just such hardships and trying experiences, lived through the early and later periods of development of Jasper County and he has played well his part in the work of transformation, as has many another whose name honors these pages, for no one will deny that to these hardy, self-sacrificing pioneers all honor is due.

Fred Hendricks was born in Prussia, Germany, October 1, 1843. He is the son of John and Sophia (Gamer) Hendricks, both natives of Germany, the father born in 1805 and the mother in 1800. The parents of the subject grew up and were married in the fatherland, and there engaged in farming. In 1857 these parents immigrated to the United States, locating in Jasper County, Iowa, where John Hendricks purchased forty acres of land and here they established the family home, and here the mother died in 1864 while her son Fred, of this sketch, was away in the Federal Army. Fred was the only child by the first marriage of John and Sophia Hendricks. The mother had been formerly married to a Mr. Price and they became the parents of three children, namely: Mrs. Mary (Price) Brandt, Mrs. Sophia (Price) Brandt, and Carl, who is deceased.

Fred Hendricks attended school in Germany and for a short time the Jasper County (Iowa) schools and he grew up on the farm, assisting his father with the general work about the place. He proved his loyalty to our flag and the national union by enlisting in our armies in 1862, and he served faithfully as a private in Company E, Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for a period of three years, receiving an honorable discharge. He returned home from the army and worked on his father's place, one hundred and twenty acres of which was later deeded to him by his father, and on this the subject went to work with a will and subsequently added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of one of the choice farms of the Township, consisting of three hundred and fifty acres, which he has kept well cultivated and placed under a high state of improvements. This splendid place is known as "Elk Valley Stock Farm." Some time ago he deeded forty acres to his son George. He has made a success as a general farmer and is now well established.

Fred Hendricks was married on January 1, 1874, to Margaret Kling, who was born in Germany on September 12, 1847, and there she spent her girlhood, immigrating to America with her parents in 1871. To the subject and wife two children have been born, namely: George, born in Elk Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa, November 25, 1874, is married and engaged in farming in this Township; John, the younger son, is living at home. Politically, Mr. Hendricks is a Democrat and he belongs to the Lutheran Church Page 697.

~ Hendricks, George ~

It makes a wonderful difference in a man's life whether he earns his property by severe toil or by easy methods, or has it bequeathed to him by some industrious kinsman, for our personal habits are determined in no small measure by the manner in which we become the possessor of material things. People of all occupations should be thrifty enough to take care of what they have, no matter how they obtained it, for they have others to consider children who have the right to demand of their parents that they save the property left to them by ancestors. Such is a family inheritance, which no member has the right to dissipate. One of the thrifty families of Jasper County who have been careful both as to how they secured their property and its retention is the Hendrickses, of whom George, of Elk Creek Township, is a worthy representative.

Mr. Hendricks is a native of the community in which he still resides, having been born here on November 25, 1874. Here he grew to manhood and obtained his education in the Brown District schools, and he spent his If summers engaged In farm work for his father, making a regular hand in the fields when only twelve years of age, and the early discipline he received has been of great benefit to him in his subsequent career. He remained at home until his marriage, on October 23, 1901, then the father deeded to the subject eighty-seven acres of the homestead and there young Hendricks established himself, improving the place generally and remodeled the house. He has prospered through close application to his work and has since added eighty acres in section 23, Elk Creek Township. In connection with general farming he pays special attention to raising livestock and breeds Hereford cattle. He has a good farm which he takes a deep interest in and which yields abundant harvests under his management.

Politically, Mr. Hendricks is a Democrat in principle. He has been justice of the peace and treasurer of Independence school district. Religiously he belongs to the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Hendricks was married to Hattie Castorf on the date mentioned above. She was born in Lynn Grove Township, Jasper County, Iowa, May 8, 1881, and here she grew to womanhood and was educated in the common schools. This union has resulted in the birth of the following children: Clifford, who died September 17, 1904, was born on November 9, 1903; Willie Frederick, born January 14, 1906; Freeman Charles, born February 2, 1908; Bernice, born November 22, 1911.

For a complete record of the subject's parents, Fred and Margaret (Kling) Hendricks, the reader is directed to their sketch appearing elsewhere in this volume. Page 696.