Hiram F. Denning
Hiram F. Denning, who is one of the well known farmers and
successful stock-raiders of Allamakee county, owning and
operating eighty acres of valuable land in Jefferson township and
one hundred and six acres in Makee township, was born in Linton
township, this county, September 26, 1857, a son of Samuel
Denning, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 1, 1831,
and whose father passed away in that state when Samuel Denning
was still a child. The latter grew to manhood in his native
county and in 1851 joined his mother in Allamakee county, Iowa,
buying land in Linton township. This he operated for a number of
years, later selling it in order to buy a farm in Jefferson
township, upon which he continued to reside until his death,
which occurred in 1909. He married Miss Elizabeth Frances, who
was born in Wisconsin and who came to Allamakee county when she
was still a child. She died in Iowa some years after her
husband's demise.
Hiram F. Denning is one of the family of ten children, all of
whom grew to maturity and five of whom still survive. He was
reared upon his father’s farm and acquired his education in
the district schools, spending a great deal of time when not
engaged with his books in aiding in the operation of the
homestead. When he began his independent career he rented a farm
and operated this until some time after his marriage, which
occurred in 1884. He then purchased eighty acres of fine land on
section 16, Jefferson township, and upon this property he has
since made his home, carrying forward the work of improvement and
development along modern and progressive lines. He repaired the
buildings upon the place and erected others, including a good
two-story residence, a large barn and a number of outbuildings.
In addition to this he planted a fine orchard and a number of
ornamental trees, neglecting nothing which would add either to
the attractive appearance or the value of the property. Besides
general farming Mr. Denning has also engaged in stock-raising on
an extensive scale, raising high-grade Poland China and Chester
White hogs and shorthorn cattle. In addition to his home farm he
owns also one hundred and six acres in Makee township and he
gives a great deal of his time to its operation with the result
that it is today one of the finest farms in the locality.
In Jefferson township, on the 9th of September, 1884, Mr. Denning
was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jennewine, who was born
in West Virginia, a daughter of Jacob Jennewine, one of the early
settlers in Jefferson township. Mr. and Mrs. Denning became the
parents of eight children, of whom the following are deceased:
Eva, who died at the age of five years; Mary Ella, who passed
away when a year old; and Percy, who died at the age of six or
seven months. Those who survive are: Paul, who makes his home in
North Dakota; Fred, who is engaged in farming in Makee township;
Hobart, who is assisting his father in the operation of the home
farm; Francis; and Marie, at home. The family attend the
Presbyterian church at Waukon.
Mr. Denning gives his political allegiance to the republican
party but has never sought nor desired public office, preferring
to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs. He has
been connected with farming interests of Jefferson township
during practically all of his active life and has made
substantial contributions to farming development, his individual
prosperity forming an important factor in the general growth.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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