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Hiram Hoagland

Hiram Hoagland, deceased. Of all the men whose lives have honored and blessed Fayette County, none is more deserving of mention than the one whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Mercer County, Pa., January 13, 1828, and was the son of John and Catherine (Hull) Hoagland, of whom comparatively little is known save that they were respected citizens of that State. In boyhood Hiram received such scholastic training as the common schools of those days afforded. This he supplemented by home study and extensive reading, becoming well informed on the leading questions of the day. From his father, who was a wheelwright, he learned that trade to which he also added a knowledge of cabinet making. He was a skilled workman as is evident from the fact that he made his own buggy, wagon and furniture. On coming to this county he made his first chairs and table.

In the county of his nativity on the 22d of November, 1849, Mr. Hoagland was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth D. Boale, a native of County Down, Ireland, born September 12, 1829. Her parents, John and Grace (McWha) Boale, were also natives of the Emerald Isle, but of Scotch descent and of Presbyterian faith. In 1839 they crossed the Atlantic to America in a sailing vessel and soon after settled in Mercer County, Pa., where they lived until 1852, which year witnessed their arrival in this county. They located on a farm two and a half miles north of West Union, continuing there to make their home until their death. The husband and father died in 1859, at the age of sixty-one years and his wife passed away in 1860, at the age of sixty-three years. Of their seven children, only three are now living - Mrs. Jane Jamison; George H., an Ohio farmer; and Elizabeth D., wife of our subject.

The year following his marriage, Mr. Hoagland emigrated to Grant County, Wis., and in the autumn of 1850 came to Fayette County, where he purchased a tract of land near Auburn but returned to the Badger State to spend the winter. In the spring of 1851 he removed to his farm, which he sold two years later, prior to engaging in mercantile business in Auburn. When the war broke out he took an active part in raising volunteers and was commissioned June 20, 1861, as Captain, but owing to impaired health was unable to go. In 1863 he disposed of his store and purchased a farm on which he lived until his death. By industry and prudent management he increased his acreage to six hundred, constituting one of the best farms in the county. On this tract of land he placed excellent buildings such as are necessary to a model farm and kept fine grades of stock in which he took a laudable pride. His interests also reached beyond the farm and he became associated in commercial transactions.

Mr. Hoagland was treasurer and stockholder in The Farmers' Joint Stock Company and a stockholder in the Citizens' Savings Bank of Elgin. He was a man well known throughout the county and held in regard in political circles, being an ardent advocate of the Democratic party, which was pleased to honor him with the nomination for many offices. He was the first Coroner elected in the county and by virtue of that position, on the resignation of the Sheriff, filled the latter office. He was a member of the County Board of Supervisors for several years and in 1869 was elected Auditor of the county notwithstanding he had to oppose a large Republican majority.

In 1879, our subject was nominated by his party for the office of Representative to the State Legislature and made a very creditable race but it was impossible to turn enough Republicans votes to elect him. The following year he was tendered the nomination for Congress but declined the honor, preferring to devote himself to his extensive business interests. In every sense of the word, Mr. Hoagland was a self-made man. Beginning life in this county in a log cabin in true pioneer style with a capital of about $150, he worked his way upward until at length, by his own efforts he gained a position of wealth and affluence. His means were not used, however, for selfish ends, for he was charitable to the poor, liberal toward churches and all worthy enterprises and devoted to the interests of his family.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoagland - Melissa, who died when nine months old; John A., a resident of Luverne, Minn.; Kate, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Seth D., who is engaged in the grocery business in Auburn; Perry J., a resident farmer of Auburn Township; and Eva G., at home.

On the seventh of December, 1885, Mr. Hoagland was called to his final rest. He left his family well provided for, but better than that, he left them a noble example of industry and integrity and a name untarnished. Mrs. Hoagland resided on the old farm which has been her home since 1863, save two years spent in West Union.