Hazlitt, John Mortimer

SNYDER, MCCRAIDY, MACATEAR, ERNST, FRANKLIN, LENOW, HANCHETT, ADAIR, SAGER, SCHULTZ, MILLER, KERSTING, SCHICK, ROHRSSEN

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/11/2010 at 17:02:43

The name of Hazlitt has been long been held in high honor and esteem in Bremer county and its present representative, John Mortimer Hazlitt, is one of the most prominent men in Fremont township, where he is connected with farming interests as the owner of the old Hazlitt homestead, on section 24. He is also well known in local politics and has held various positions of trust and responsibility, serving at the present time as township clerk and treasurer of the school board. He was born in Herkimer county, New York, November 21, 1856, and is a son of William Gibson and Philinda Arvilla (Snyder) Hazlitt. The great-grandparents of our subject were John and Elizabeth (McCraidy) Hazlitt, who had the following children. Hood was born March 24, 1780, and died January 13, 1854. Mary was born March 5, 1782, and died on the island of St. Thomas, June 30, 1801. Hugh was born April 14, 1784 and died April 2, 1823. Ann was born July 2, 1786 and died March 1, 1857. Elizabeth was born September 6, 1788, and died July 2, 1789. Elizabeth (second of the name) was born April 25, 1790, and died August 11 of the same year. Elizabeth (third of the name) was born August 5, 1791, and died February 1, 1851. John was born August 14, 1793 and died November 3d of the same year. Grace was born March 14, 1797, and died July 7, 1876. Jane was born May 6, 1799, and died March 20, 1888. He was the grandfather of our subject. Mary was born October 11, 1801, and died February 24, 1864. Of these children, John Hazlitt married Miss Elizabeth Macatear, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Macatear. She was born February 2, 1805, and died December 16, 1871. Their children were as follows: Hugh, who was born May 25, 1825, and died July 10, 1900; John, who was born March 16, 1827, and died September 11, 1843; Hood, who was born September 10, 1829, and died February 7, 1887; William Gibson, who was born July 11, 1832, and died February 14, 1909; James Montgomery, who was born March 11, 1835, and died April 8, 1837; Elizabeth Ann, born August 25, 1837; James and Robert, twins, born March 15, 1840, the former passing away June 10 1849, and the latter surviving; Samuel, who was born September 1, 1842 and died October 14, 1870; and Mary Jane, who was born February 19, 1845, and died in February, 1913.

William Gibson Hazlitt, father of the subject of this review, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, July 11, 1832, and died at Tripoli, Iowa, February 14, 1909. He came to the United States with his parents when he was nine years of age and settled in New York, where he engaged in farming and also followed the blacksmith's trade. He left his father's shop at the age of nineteen and in March, 1858, moved to Illinois, settling in Stephenson county, where he engaged in farming. In 1868 he came to Bremer county, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of land on section 24, Fremont township. Five acres of this was broken and there was a log house upon the place. William G. Hazlitt carried forward the work of improving and developing this farm for many years, making his home thereon until he retired from active life and moved to Tripoli. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and a democrat in his political beliefs. From 1873 to 1903 he served as township trustee and was at different times a school director. After the death of his first wife, who passed away in 1888, he married Mrs. Louisa Ernst. To the first union were born six children: John Mortimer, of this review, William G., of Oelwein, Iowa; Mary Elizabeth, the wife of George Franklin, of South Dakota; George C., of Riceville, Iowa; Philinda M., the wife of Christian Lenow, of Waverly; and Hugh E., of Independence. To his second marriage one daughter, Grace, was born on October 10, 1892, who died December 28, 1904.

John M. Hazlitt accompanied his parents to Stephenson county, Illinois, when he was still a child and he was eleven years of age when the family moved to Bremer county, Iowa. He acquired his education in the district schools of Illinois and in district school No. 1, Fremont township, remaining upon the home farm until 1880. In that year he was appointed deputy sheriff under L.S. Hanchett and after serving one year was reappointed, serving for less than a year under Mr. Adair. At the end of that time he was made manager of Mr. Hanchett's farm in Floyd county and he held this position for two years, after which he spent one year as clerk in Mr. Hanchett's clothing store in Waverly. He was again appointed deputy sheriff, and he served for one year and six months under Sheriff Adair, after which he returned to the farm, aiding in its operation for four years. He was then appointed deputy sheriff under Mr. Sager but after serving for less than one year was made deputy county treasurer, serving under Herman Schultz for two years and nine months. Upon the expiration of that time he was reappointed and held office for four years under H.B. Miller. He was then elected county treasurer and he filled this position with credit and ability for a similar period. In February, 1902, he took up his residence on the farm which he now occupies. This is the old Hazlitt homestead and comprises one hundred and thirty-six acres of choice land, upon which are excellent buildings. Mr. Hazlitt engages in general farming and has met with gratifying success because he is practical in his methods and energetic and farsighted in the management of his interests.

On December 8, 1890, Mr. Hazlitt married Miss Mary Kersting, who was born in Bremer county in 1869, a daughter of John Henry and Mary (Schick) Kersting, natives of Germany, whose marriage occurred in New York. The parents came to Bremer county in 1868 and the father followed farming in Fremont towship until his death. In their family were three children, one son and two daughters. The son, George Henry, met his death while engaged in the capture of the Barber brothers, noted desperadoes, by being shot. Mr. Kersting, Sr., and his son were called upon to assist in the taking of the outlaws, and while the Barber brothers had made a stand in the house upon the old August Tegtmeier place one of them shot through the window at young Mr. Kersting, the bullet taking fatal effect. Of the two daughters, Anna married W.H. Rohrssen, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and the other is Mrs. Hazlitt. Mr and Mrs. Hazlitt are the parents of four children: John W., born September 22, 1893; Helena Mary, July 4, 1897; Gibson Henry, October 21, 1903; and Harold George, November 3, 1906.

Mr. Hazlitt is a member of Willow lawn lodge, No. 628, I.O.O.F. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and has, in addition to the offices above mentioned, served as township trustee, having been appointed to fill a vacancy on April 4, 1904, and having served until January 1, 1905. He now is treasurer of the Fremont township school board and at the November election in 1904 was made township clerk, an office which he still holds. He is interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and advancement of the community in which he has so long resided and of which he is a progressive and representative citizen.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914