Fayette County IAGenWeb

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Edgar A. Hurmence

Edgar A. Hurmence, an extensive landowner and leading stock-raiser of the county residing on section 30, Bethel Township, is a native of the Empire State. He was born in Columbia County in 1853, being the eldest child of Alfred and Catherine (Clow) Hurmence, who were parents of two sons and one daughter. On both sides he is descended from early families of New York. The Hurmence family, of Holland extraction, was established during Colonial days upon the banks of the Hudson River. The father of our subject was a paper manufacturer by occupation, but on leaving the commercial East in 1864 he took up his residence in Buchanan County, Iowa, where he improved a farm. He opened up several farms, which he would then sell. He and his wife now reside in Independence, Iowa, respected citizens of that place. Charles, their second son, who was born in New York in 1856, came to Iowa in 1864 and in 1888 wedded Miss Heron, their home being now in Independence, Iowa; Ada Jane, the only daughter, was born in New York in 1859 and is the wife of Valentine Schremeer, a contractor and builder of Independence.

The first eleven years of his life Edgar Hurmence spent in his native State and then with his family became a resident of Independence, Iowa, where he acquired his education in the public schools and was reared to manhood. On approaching the age when he believed he should provide for his own support he gave his attention to farming and rented land in 1876 in Buchanan County, where the following year, on the 1st of January, he was united in Marriage with Miss Frances Ann Norman, a native of Bloomingdale, Ohio, and a daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Taylor) Norman, who were natives of England. In youth they came to this country and their marriage was celebrated in Ohio. After following farming for a time in the Buckeye State Mr. Norman removed with his family to Illinois in 1860, and after five years settled upon a farm in Buchanan County, Iowa, where he and his wife yet reside. Unto them were born ten children, eight of whom are now living as follows: Freeman, who is married and resides in Winthrop, Iowa; Frances A., now Mrs. Hurmence; Albert, who is married and makes his home in Winthrop; Charlie, who is married and engages in teaching in Plankington, Dak.; Ida, who died in 1885; Henry, who died in Cherokee, Iowa, in February, 1890; Mrs. Lucy Knight, of Buchanan county; LaFayette, who is married and resides in Buchanan County; Homer, who is still with his parents; and Frederick C., agent at Winthrop.

Mr. and Mrs. Hurmence began their domestic life in Buchanan County, where he engaged in farming for two years and then came to Fayette County, where he rented and operated a large farm of five hundred acres. In 1880, having acquired some capital, he purchased an improved farm of two hundred and forty acres in Bethel Township, and by the prosperity that has attended his efforts he has been enabled to extend its boundaries until it now comprises six hundred and forty acres under a high state of cultivation and well improved. Upon the farm are four dwellings, his own home being a substantial and tasty residence which was erected at a cost of $4,000 and is supplied with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. In addition to general farming Mr. Hurmence devotes considerable attention to the buying and feeding of stock for the market and is engaged in raising Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs. He has led a useful life, characterized by industry, energy and good management which have brought him a handsome competence, ranking him among the wealthier citizens of the township. In politics he is a supporter of Republican principles and his wife is a member of the Methodist Church.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hurmence have been born seven children and the family circle yet remains unbroken: Luella, born March 14, 1878; Fred, March 8, 1880; Edith, February 21, 1882; Charlie, March 30, 1884; Willie, January 30, 1886; Ida, February 3, 1888; and Edgar, August 10, 1890.