Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa
New York, Chicago: Lewis publishing Co., S. Thompson Lewis, editor. 1903
Transcribed by Renee Rimmert. A complete copy of this book is available on-line at archive.org.
Hi - Ho
JAMES HIBBS - Among the many worthy and esteemed residents of Appanoose county who make up the farming class, and by their substantial citizenship and progressive ideas have made the county one of the foremost agricultural sections of the state, is Mr. James Hibbs, who now resides in Numa, but for many years served in an official position, was active in the mercantile business, and also as a leading farmer.
His parents were Mahlon N. and Elizabeth (Hurst) Hibbs, who were both natives of Tennessee, and when young were taken by their parents to Putnam county, Indiana, where they were married. Mr. Hibbs was a lifelong farmer. In 1847 he came to Iowa with his family and located in Wapello county, and there he died about 1850. Shortly afterward his wife, with her children, moved to Appanoose county and located on a farm two miles south of what was known as Hibbsville, where Mrs. Hibbs died.
James Hibbs, the immediate subject of this sketch, was the eldest of eight children, six of whom are still living. He was born in Putnam county, Indiana, April 15, 1826. He early displayed the energy and honesty of purpose which have characterized his entire career, and not only was he successful in his private affairs, but entered heartily into any enterprise directed toward the common good. When he, with his mother and family, settled in Appanoose county, he was instrumental in having a post office established near their farm, and in his honor it was named Hibbsville. Dr. Hall, now deceased, was the first postmaster of this place, but after his incumbency Mr. Hibbs was appointed to the office and conducted it in connection with a general store until 1901, when the post office was abolished. Mr. Hibbs still owns the old farm south of Hibbsville, but makes his home in Numa.
In 1856 Mr. Hibbs was married to Martha E. Cooley, who is a native of Indiana, and was born in 1840. When only six months old she came west with her parents and has since made her home in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hibbs became the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living: Mahlon E., James W., Mrs. Martha Farmer, George, Mrs. Nancy Jane Ellis and Samuel. This family hold a very influential position in the social and business life of their community and justly command the high regard of many friends and acquaintances.
JOHN A. HINOTE - Since 1877 John A. Hinote has been a resident of Appanoose county and now lives on section 25, Taylor township, where within the boundaries of his farm are comprised one hundred and seventy acres of rich land. He is one of the citizens that Indiana has furnished to the Hawkeye state. He was born March 17, 1851, a son of Peter Hinote, whose birth also occurred in Indiana. The grandfather was Alexander Hinote and his grandfather came from Germany to the new world at a very early day and served in the Revolutionary war. Alexander Hinote died in Indiana and it was upon a farm in that state that Peter Hinote was reared. When he had attained years of maturity he wedded Isabel Dyer, whose birth occurred in that state, June 9, 1820. On her mother's side she came of the Montgomery family of North Carolina and in the year 1855 Peter Hinote came with his wife and children to Iowa, traveling by team to Des Moines, which was then a small village largely built of log cabins. Indians were encamped along the river and were engaged in hunting and trapping, and the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun in the state. In 1856 the family removed to Gentry county, Missouri, and after two years the father traded his property there for a farm in Harrison county, Missouri, where he lived until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was forty-nine years of age. His wife, long surviving him, passed away at the age of seventy-two years, dying in the faith of the Regular Baptist church, of which she was a devoted member. Their children were: Alexander, who for three years was a soldier in the Third Iowa Cavalry during the Civil war and died in Buffalo county, Nebraska, in 1900; Samuel, who lives in Nebraska; William, a successful music teacher and preacher of the Christian church, who is now living on the old homestead in Missouri; Elisha P., of Gentry county, Missouri; Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson and Mrs. Annice Clabaugh, both of that state; two sons, who died in Indiana; and Ellen Jane, who has also departed this life.
John A. Hinote was reared upon the Missouri farm, and the work of field and meadow occupied a considerable share of his time and attention through the period of his youth. In the winter months he pursued his education in the district schools, seated upon slab benches before a big fireplace. When twenty-two years of age he went to Wapello county, Iowa, settling upon a farm, and in 1876 he arrived in Appanoose county. Here at the age of twenty-five years he married Clara M. Stevens, who was a successful and capable teacher prior to that time. She is one of the native daughters of the county, for her father, George L. Stevens, located here at a very early day and the family residence has since been maintained in this portion of the state. He was born in September, 1814, in Indiana, and was a son of the Rev. Benjamin Stevens. In addition to agricultural pursuits he carried on blacksmithing and he lived a life in harmony with his profession as a member of the Baptist church, dying in that faith at the age of seventy-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Maria Fletcher, was born in Kentucky, and died at the age of seventy-three years. Her parents were James and Nancy (Dawson) Fletcher and the latter was a daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Dawson, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Miss Anderson. Elizabeth Dawson had a somewhat tragic history, for when she was but fourteen years of age she and her brother were captured by the Indians during the war of 1812, but later were exchanged at Fort Pitt, Pennsylvania. On that occasion her parents and one of their children were killed by the savages. The Andersons were of Scotch descent. George L. Stevens died while visiting his old home in Indiana and his wife died at Moravia. Their children were as follows: John E., a resident of Idaho; Mrs. Jurilda Knabb, of Nodaway county, Missouri; George W.; Mrs. Clara M. Hinote; and Salathial F. and Benjamin F., both deceased. The last named was a volunteer in the Indian war in Nebraska, serving against the hostile red men, and he killed their chief and secured his trophies, including some firearms, a wig, a robe, a blanket and a gun. Later he became a prominent physician and his death occurred in Appleton Mills, Missouri. Another member of the family was J. F., who is also deceased.
For eighteen years Mr. Hinote has lived upon the farm which is now his home, having here five hundred and seventy acres of land. He calls his place Hazel Dell, and the farm is regarded as one of the best in this locality. He has erected a good modern home at a cost of over thirteen hundred dollars and it is tastefully furnished. He has a barn thirty by forty feet and uses the latest improved machinery in carrying on the farm work. There is also a good orchard, a grove and meadow and pasture lands and he keeps good grades of cattle, horses, sheep and hogs. Both as a stock-raiser and as a general farmer he has been successful and for nine months he was proprietor of a store at Hiatt Station in Taylor township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hinote have been born nine children: Lawrence L., a resident of Pendleton, Oregon: Peter Clyde, who died at the age of seven years; Verna Z., Richard Cleveland, Leoto Ethel, Bertha Lutecia, John Athel, Hazel Dell, and Paul Phillip. Mr. Hinote has served as postmaster of Hiatt and his daughter Verna was his assistant. He has also been justice of the peace. The household is noted for its hospitality and the members of the family enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends.
SAMUEL HIXSON - With the active blood of southern-born parents in his veins and with a sturdy inherited character, Samuel Hixson has spent his long life amid various scenes, has engaged in the noble calling of agriculture with such energy and businesslike astuteness as to place him among the front rank in that occupation, and besides his private matters has found the time and possessed the inclination to serve his fellow citizens in public offices, and thus fulfill the duties that are indissoluble from true American citizenship.
Such is the brief record of this gentleman, whose parents were William and Sallie (Pearson) Hixson. The former was born in the sunny state of Georgia in 1804 and ended his earthly labors in 1887. The latter was a native of North Carolina and died when the subject of this sketch was fourteen years old. William Hixson was brought by his parents, in 1816, to Preble county, Ohio, where the latter made their home until their death. He engaged in farming all his life and attained a foremost position among the agricultural element of the county. Seven children were born to these parents, and three are now surviving: Mrs. Rebecca Rinehart, of Preble county, Ohio; Mrs. Hannah Gard, of Randolph county, Indiana; and Samuel.
Samuel Hixson was ushered into the world in Preble county, Ohio, September 20, 1832, and remained in that county until 1856, having by that time become fully initiated into the intricacies of farm life, with all its ups and downs, and also having found for himself a partner in life's journey. In that year he came west to Iowa and located in Lee county, where be pursued his chosen vocation for the period of six and a half years. In 1863 be removed to Appanoose county and settled on the place north of Mystic on which they now reside. Here he early became identified with the public interests of the county, and his fitness for places of trust was recognized in 1879 by his election on the Greenback ticket to a seat in the Iowa legislature, where, during the session of 1880, he performed his due share in the actions of that body. For one term he held the office of justice of the peace and was a member of the Walnut township board. In religion be is connected with the Christian church.
In the fall of 1855 Mr. Hixson was married to Miss Elizabeth Miles, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, February 1, 1837. Her parents were John and Susan Miles, both natives of Ohio. The former was born February 5, 1810, and died in 1870, and the latter was born June 23, 1813, and died March 27, 1853. Mrs. Hixson's father was a shoemaker by trade and also followed farming. He had nine children, six of whom are living: Mrs. Delila Eikenbary, Mrs. Rebecca Harmston, Catherine Miles, P. M. Miles, deceased, C. V. Miles, and Mrs. Hixson. Mr. and Mrs. Hixson were the parents of nine children, and eight are still living, being numbered among the respected citizens of their county: Elliott P., of Keokuk county: John Miles, of this county; James William, at home with his parents; Mrs. J. W. Ellis, near Cincinnati, Iowa; Mrs. Eliza Douglas, in this county; Mrs. Leonia Ellis, of Calhoun county, Iowa; Mrs. Lauretta Ockerman, of Wayne county, Iowa; and Mrs. Catherine Blattner, of Keokuk county.
SANFORD HOFFMAN , who carries on general farming on section 1, Taylor township, where he has ninety-seven acres of good land, has been a resident of Appanoose county since 1875, and his residence in the state dates from 1870, for in that year he settled in Monroe county. He was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, November 24, 1834, and is a son of Henry Hoffman, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, and who represented one of the old Pennsylvania German families noted for industry and integrity. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Higgins, and she, too, was born in the Keystone state, of Pennsylvania German parentage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman died in Greene county, where the father had followed the occupation of farming as a life work. In politics he was a Republican and was a member of the Church of God. In the family were thirteen children, eleven of whom reached years of maturity, while three were soldiers of the Civil war, Bryce being a member of a Pennsylvania regiment, while Layton joined a West Virginia regiment.
Sanford Hoffman spent his boyhood days in the county of his nativity, and his parents impressed upon his mind lessons of industry and perseverance. His literary training was received in the public schools, and at the age of twenty-three years he was married, Miss Rachel Plantz becoming his wife. She was born and reared in Greene county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George and Catherine (Stollen) Plantz, both of whom died in Iowa.
It was in 1864 that Mr. Hoffman offered his services to the government, enlisting in the Sixth West Virginia Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to farm life in Pennsylvania and in 1870 moved westward to Iowa, settling in Monroe county, where he carried on farming until 1875. In that year he came to Appanoose county, and has since lived upon his present farm on section 1, Taylor township, where he has ninety-seven acres of rich and productive land. It is well watered by a creek, and there are good pastures and meadows together with plowed land. He keeps a high grade of Polled Angus cattle and draft horses of English breed, and both in his stock-raising and in his general agricultural pursuits he is meeting with success for as the years pass his income gradually increases.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman were born seven children: Franklin M. resides in this county. Jervis Leroy, who carries on farming here and is now serving as justice of the peace, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1862, and was therefore eight years of age when the family came to Iowa. He was here reared, obtaining a good education, and for a number of years was successfully engaged in teaching. On the 27th of May, 1897, he wedded Miss Lizzie Stoops, who was born in Monroe county, Iowa, a daughter of William and Judith (Wright) Stoops. Her father was a soldier of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry during the Civil war. J. L. Hoffman and his wife have two sons, Charles and Harold. The other children of our subject and his wife are: Mrs. Ollie Hampton, of York, Nebraska; and Mrs. Mary Faber, of Monroe county, Iowa. They also lost three children, Libbie and Harvey, who were successful teachers, and an infant named Jane.
Mr. Hoffman exerts his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. He belongs to Moravia Post, G. A. R., and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In matters of business he is straightforward and reliable and when called upon to aid in any measure or improvement of benefit to the community his co-operation is not withheld.
SOLOMON HOLBROOK - The gentleman above named is one of the oldest residents in the state. When he came here Iowa was still a territory, its admission to the Union not occurring until six years after Mr. Holbrook's arrival. When he first trod the elastic prairie sod of Iowa in 1840 there were only a little over forty-three thousand people in the territory, whereas there are now several million in the state. In addition to being a pioneer of pioneers, Mr. Holbrook has another claim to distinction. He was one of the four men who founded and laid out the town of Cincinnati and is the only survivor of the quartette. This occurred nearly fifty years ago, and altogether it will be seen that Mr. Holbrook is a very interesting man to know, if one would hear good stories and gain information about the times of long ago, when the now mighty western commonwealths were still in their swaddling clothes. He has lived through the most interesting period of American history, and his career was coincident with many of the most dramatic and epoch-making events in the United States. As he is one of a class especially deserving of honor, but of whom few now remain, it is peculiarly appropriate that something should be said of his origin and career in a book devoted to the representative men of Appanoose county.
The family was long identified with Connecticut, and there Elias and Eliza (Reed) Holbrook were born. They came to Iowa in 1839, where they spent the remaining days of their lives until called to rest many years ago. They were typical natives of this famous New England state, of quiet, industrious habits, strictly moral and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church and regardful of every duty in all the relations of life. The wife died in 1857, and the husband survived her only a few years, his death occurring at the beginning of the Civil war, when he was eighty-one years old. The children of this eastern couple consisted of two sons: Luther R., now deceased, and Solomon Holbrook. The latter was born at Tolland, Connecticut, June 8, 1822, and he remained at home until the completion of his eighteenth year. Yankee boys, however, are apt to think their home a cage and early become restless with desire to try their fortunes in "the wide, wide world." In this spirit, like so many other "down easterners" before and since, young Holbrook left the parental roof in 1840 and started on the then long journey to the territory of Iowa. He first settled in Lee county, where he followed farming and stock-raising, but five years later removed to Appanoose county and located in Pleasant township. In 1853, together with his brother, Luther R. Holbrook, and Daniel and John McDonald, he assisted in laying out the town of Cincinnati, which at its birth contained a schoolhouse, post office and blacksmith shop as its only stock of municipal buildings. All the original founders, save Mr. Holbrook, have long since passed to their reward, and peculiar interest attaches to him as the sole survivor of that pioneer period.
In 1845 Mr. Holbrook was united in marriage with Mary Ann Welsh, and all their seven children are living except John R., the eldest son, who died in Andersonville prison during the Civil war. The other six are Oliver K., Ida May, Ellis R., Perry S., William and Florence J. Mr. Holbrook's political affiliations were always strongly anti-slavery, and his feelings on this subject made him cast his first presidential vote for John P. Hale, who ran on what was called the Free Soil ticket in 1832 with George W. Julian of Indiana. This movement was really the precursor of the Republican party, and after it was organized Mr. Holbrook became and has remained one of its steadfast advocates. His only fraternal connections are with the Masons, of which ancient and honorable order he has long been an esteemed member.
JAMES A. HOLSTEINE - Almost a hundred years ago, or to speak more definitely, during the second decade of the nineteenth century, there lived in old Virginia a worthy couple whose names were George and Annie (Beeler) Holsteine. The husband was a hatter by trade, and this was the means he used to "keep the wolf from the door" and provide for the wants of a rapidly increasing family, a task which he sometimes found a difficult one, owing to lack of business and scarcity of customers. Eventually he became discouraged and concluded to try for a betterment of fortune in the new state which had then but recently been admitted into the Union. So gathering about him his wife and little ones, together with the scanty household goods, he started on the weary journey across mountains, down rivers and over roadless forests to the wilderness northwest of the Ohio, known as southern Indiana. It was in 1827 that this trip was made, and when George Holsteine arrived at his destination he bought some of the government land which was then being sold very cheap and established his family in a log cabin thereon. From that time he supported them by working this Indiana farm. The mother died in Iowa, and later he died in Bloomington, Indiana.
James A. Holsteine, the third in a family of seven children, was born in Virginia, December 18, 1822, and was only five years old when the memorable journey was undertaken to the wilds of Indiana. He grew up in the neighborhood where his father settled and remained there until he had completed the twenty-seventh year of his age. About that time he began to think of moving farther west, and in 1849 set out for a long and uncertain trip for the country beyond the great Father of Waters. He traveled through Iowa until he reached Davis county, and after looking around awhile concluded that was a good place for a poor man to locate. Consequently a place was picked out near what is now the town of Moulton, and here Mr. Holsteine set to work in earnest on a place he had secured. The working of this farm in Davis county occupied his attention until 1894, when he purchased his present home. Not being able to buy land at first, he secured employment by the month on the farms of other people, and by these jobs, supplemented by splitting rails for so much a hundred, he supported himself and saved a little money until in time he was able to buy land of his own. He continued to be a resident of Davis county until 1894, when he purchased his present home in Appanoose county, just seven miles from his former place and a short distance west of Moulton. The property of different kinds now owned by Mr. Holsteine shows that he did not waste his time in idleness or neglect any opportunity to better his condition. In fact he has an abundance of this world's goods and is able to spend his declining years in comfort, cheered by the attentions of an affectionate family and the kind words of the friends he has gained during a long and blameless life. On October 25, 1870, he married Nancy Caroline Toombs, who uncomplainingly shared the hardships of earlier years, and is now the joyous participant in the good things which have come to them as the result of ceaseless toil and endeavor. Misses Grace and Ruth Ann, their only children, are at home, and they assist in dispensing the hospitality and kindly greetings which await all friends who visit at the Holsteine homestead.
THOMAS W. HOUGH - Along the southern bank of the Potomac river, about midway between Harper's Ferry and Washington, is situated the old county of Loudoun, which has figured conspicuously and sometimes pathetically in the history of Virginia. Early in the Civil war it was brought into prominence by the battle of Ball's Bluff, in which Senator Baker of Oregon met his death. Later this county was pitilessly ravaged by both sides, as the contending armies marched back and forth repeatedly across this border land between the warring sections. Loudoun has always been noted for the substantial character of its agricultural population, and ranked for years as one of the best farming counties of the Old Dominion. Among the families long connected with "Old Loudoun" and identified with her development was that of Hough, which name was quite frequent there at that time. In the early part of the last century Isaac Hough, who was the first of twelve children, conducted a wool manufactory in connection with a mercantile business and became a man of some importance in the community, owing to the success of his enterprises. He married Mary Jane Paxton, by whom he had eleven children: Martha, deceased; Thomas W.; Mary Ann, deceased; John, Isaac, Henry, Robert, Phoebe, Mary Elizabeth, Jennie, deceased and Edgar, deceased. The father died in 1868, but his wife survived him thirty years, not ending her earthly pilgrimage until 1898.
Thomas W. Hough, second eldest of their children, was born on the grandfather's old homestead in Loudoun county, Virginia, February 4, 1834, and remained in his native place until several years after passing his majority. He left Virginia in 1859, a year or two before the desolating waves of war broke over the devoted county of Loudoun, and made his way to what was then considered the "far west." He first located in Jasper county, Iowa, where he lived for many years and accumulated considerable means, but in 1892 he transferred his residence to Appanoose county, of which he has since been a citizen. His real estate holdings at present consist of several large town properties at Moulton and two farms southeast of that city. Since he came to Iowa Mr. Hough has been an industrious, hard-working man, and what he now owns is the well earned compensation of a life of labor.
On May 29, 1856, three years before his departure from Virginia, Mr. Hough was married to Florida Schooley, by whom he had nine children: Ida Virginia, Rosa May, deceased; Mattie Ellen, Walter Elmer, Ellsworth Rosalie, Jessamine, Mary Ann, Thomas Albert and Florida S. The mother died April 13, 1875, in Jasper county, Iowa, and Mr. Hough was again married, October 18, 1877, to Fannie M., daughter of Samuel and Gertrude Lockwood, to which union have been born three children: Nellie G., Bertha, deceased, and William Henry Clyde. As the result of his industry and good management in earlier years, Mr. Hough is able to spend the evening of his life in comparative repose, and added to this satisfaction is the pleasant feeling that he both enjoys and deserves the good wishes of his neighbors.