HOSMER, Wilfred Everett - 1914

HOSMER, TOMAN, RAYMOND, BICKNELL

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 5/5/2010 at 03:51:55

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

Wilfred Everett Hosmer, who passed away in 1909, was one of the best known citizens of Cherokee county, his connection with railroad interests bringing him a wide acquaintance, while his social, genial manner and unfailing courtesy gained him the friendship of those with whom he was brought in contact. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on the 16th of November, 1860,. and was a son of Luther Hosmer. During his boyhood the family removed to Springfield, Massachusetts, where his education was acquired, and in 1880, when a youth of twenty years, he came to the middle west, settling first at Minneapolis, and later coming to Waterloo, Iowa, on the Illinois Central. Entering the railway service, he devoted his life thereto. He removed to Cherokee and while living here acted as passenger conductor between Sioux Falls and Onawa, Iowa. While faithfully guarding the interests of the corporation which he represented he was always courteous and obliging to the patrons of the road and ever willing to do a kind act or lend ready assistance if it was within his power.

On the 24th of October, 1900, Mr. Hosmer was united in marriage to Miss. Elizabeth Toman, a daughter of William and Harriet (Raymond) Toman, of Cherokee, Iowa. Her father was a native of New York, born in Westfield,. and became a newspaper man. Removing to the west, he settled first in Cleveland, Ohio, and afterward came to this state. After living for a time in Mitchell county, Iowa, he removed to Independence and edited the Bulletin, a newspaper of that city, for a quarter of a century. A short time prior to his death he came to Cherokee, where he passed away in 1900. He was a republican in his politicar views and an Odd Fellow in his fraternal relations. His wife, who was born in Saratoga county, New York, died in 1898. They were the parents of eight children: Frank and William, both now deceased; Sidney, living in New York city; Henry, whose home is in Cherokee; Mary, the wife of F. B. Bicknell, of Cleveland, Ohio; John, who has passed away; Mrs. Wilfred E. Hosmer, who •was born in Independence, Iowa, February 18, 1872; and Albert, who has departed this life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hosmer have been born four children: John W., Wilfred Toman, Ruth and Harriet.

Mr. Hosmer was a republican in his political views and always exercised his right of franchise in support of the candidates of that party. He belonged to the Order of Railway Conductors and to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He never sought to figure prominently in a public way, but his sterling worth impressed all who came in contact with him, anc} because of the many friends whom he gained his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.