HATCH, Roland G. - 1914

HATCH, WHITING, BEAZLY, MARTIN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2009 at 18:28:37

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

ROLAND G. HATCH.

Roland G. Hatch is the owner of the Oak View Farm, situated on sections 16 and 17, Willow township. Here he has lived for fifteen years, and his intelligently directed labors are evidenced in the excellent appearance of the place. He is one of Iowas native sons, his birth having occurred in Dubuque county, October 22, 1859, his parents being William and Ann (Whiting) Hatch, both of whom were natives of England. On coming to America the father located in Dubuque county, Iowa, about the year 1840. He was a merchant tailor in England, but after crossing the Atlantic he entered land from the government and turned his attention to farming, continuing to cultivate and improve his place until 1882, when he retired and removed to Farley, Dubuque county, where he resided until his death which occurred in November, 1901, when he was eighty- nine years of age. His widow survived him for about a decade, dying in November, 1911, at the remarkable old age of ninety-four years.

Roland G. Hatch was reared and educated in his native county, continuing to assist his father in the work of the fields until he had attained his majority. He then started out in life for himself, and whatever success he has achieved as the years have gone on is due entirely to his own efforts and ability. He removed to Ida county, Iowa, in 1880 and was there employed as a farm hand for two years. He then came to Cherokee county, where he began farming on his own account. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits extensively, and he entered several thousand acres of land from the government, on which he herded cattle for five years. Then he rented other land, abandoned the herding of cattle and took up the regular pursuits of the farm. He continued to rent land until 1898, when he purchased ninety acres in Willow township and at once began its development. This he has since cultivated, and a glance at his place is sufficient to indicate the fact that the owner is a progressive agriculturist, wisely using his time and opportunities in that great occupation which George Washington, more than a century ago, said, "is the most useful and honorable occupation of man."

On the 22d of February, 1882, Mr. Hatch was married to Miss Lizzie Beaz- ley, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Martin) Beazley, natives of England. The parents came to America in early life and settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming. Finally he removed to Ida county in 1882 and there purchased land just over the line from Washta. In that locality he carried on general farming until his death, which occurred July 29, 1897. For ten years he had survived his wife, who passed away in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch have become the parents of four children: Henry, who is now a resident farmer of Willow township; Elbert, who is auditor for the Wabash Railroad Company at Englewood station, Chicago, Illinois; and Glenn and Iva, both at home.

Mr. Hatch is one of the present trustees of his township and has served as school director, the cause of education ever finding in him a warm and stalwart friend. Politically he is a republican, thoroughly conversant with the principles of the party, and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church. He is a typical representative of the farming interests of Iowa, the state which takes the lead of all others in many branches of agriculture. The Oak View Farm is a valuable property, and its neat and thrifty appearance is due to the efforts and energy of Mr. Hatch.