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LOEY HEMENOVER

 

Loey Hemenover, who carries on general agricultural pursuits on section 12, Ross township, manifests a persistent and energetic spirit in his business affairs that has brought him a substantial degree of success, making him the owner of eighty acres of rich and productive land, which is situated about three and half miles from Bedford.  He has lived in Taylor county since 1875 and is a native son of the middle west, his birth having occurred in Prairie City, Fulton county, Illinois, on the 22d of August, 1857.  His father, D. C. Hemenover, was a native of Michigan and was married in Fulton, Illinois, to Miss Elizabeth Hunt.  He began farming in Illinois and four of his children were born in that state.  He afterward removed to Iowa, settling in Taylor county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits in Clayton township until his removal to Des Moines.  His first wife died in Morris, Illinois, and he later married again.  His children were: Loey, of this review; Frank, now living in Nebraska; Harry, who died in Taylor county at the age of sixteen years; and Ona, the wife of Jack Parlan, of Chicago.

 

Loey Hemenover was reared to the age of sixteen years in Fulton county, Illinois, and then removed to Knox county, settling near Abingdon.  He began earning his own livelihood when but nine years of age, being employed at farm labor.  As a young man he went to Colorado, where he worked in the mines, engaged in teaming and did anything that would yield him an honest living.  After two years spent in the west he made his way from Colorado to Bedford, Iowa, but after a year returned to Colorado, where he again spent two years.  On the expiration of that period he once more came to Taylor county and two years later he went to Council Bluffs, where he was employed in the gas house for two years.  He afterward went to Mills county, Iowa, where he worked on a ranch in the employ of one man for seven years, his long continuance in that position being positive proof of his capability, fidelity and the trust reposed in him.

 

Mr. Hemenover was married in Bedford on the 16th of February, 1883, to Miss Ida Beall, a native of Taylor county and a daughter of Jared Beall, one of the pioneers of this locality.  Following their marriage the young couple began their domestic life in Monona county, Iowa, on a rented farm, which Mr. Hemenover cultivated for eight years, after which he returned to Taylor county and settled in Clayton township, where he rented land for two or three years.  He afterward spent two years in the gas house at Council Bluffs and later he bought a farm in Clayton township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for six years.  In 1907 he disposed of that property and bought his present farm, on which he located in the spring of 1908.  He has a good residence here, substantial outbuildings, and altogether a well-improved place.  He is diligent and persistent in his work and his success has come as the direct reward of his own labors.

 

(Page 253) Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hemenover have been born three children: Ona, the wife of W. J. Moore, a resident farmer of Clayton township, by whom she has one child, Hazel; Court D., who is proving an able assistant to his father in carrying on the home farm; and Edna, who died when about five years of age.

 

Politically Mr. Hemenover is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, although he does not seek nor desire public office.  His wife is a member of the East Mission church and Mr. Hemenover belongs to Emerson Lodge, A. F & A. M.  His record proves what can be accomplished by energy and determination, for steadily he has worked his way upward and although he started out empty-handed at the age of nine years he is now comfortably situated in life, with a good farm that yields to him a gratifying annual income.