Frank Allison Hiser, 1855-1938

HISER, CALKINS, MATTHEW

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/21/2010 at 06:28:32

F. A. Hiser, who is now living retired in his comfortable home in Spencer, during the course of a long and varied career so managed his affairs as to gain a competence, while his record has been such as to earn for him the unqualified respect and good will of all who know him. A native of Wood county, Ohio, he was born on the 5th of May, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Calista (Calkins) Hiser, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in New York. Their marriage occurred in Ohio, in which state the father passed away, after which the mother came to Iowa and lived with her son until her death. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five sons are still living.

F. A. Hiser, the oldest of the family, was reared and educated in Ohio, in which state he lived until 1883, when he came to Iowa and located on a farm in Meadow township, Clay county, to the operation of which he devoted his attention for about nine years, when he sold that place and moved to Spencer, where he has lived continuously since. For about twenty years he traveled for an insurance company, but in 1912 his health failed and he quit the road.

In the fall of 1921 he opened a summer resort near Spirit Lake, known as "Hiser's Oakland," where he built six cottages and made other improvements tending to make the place attractive for those desiring an ideal place for summer vacation. He also bought and sold real estate for a time, but is now practically retired from business pursuits, living quietly and comfortably in his home in Spencer. He is the owner of a store building in Spencer, as well as a farm and some lots and a residence in Minnesota.

In 1876, in Ohio, Mr. Hiser was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie A. Matthew, who was born and reared in that state, the daughter of George and Sarah (Windgate) Matthew. Her parents were natives of England, from which country they came to the United States in an early day, locating in Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Hiser have two sons, O. F., who is married, and G. H., who is engaged in the real estate business in Chicago. Politically Mr. Hiser gives his support to the republican party. For a number of years he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but is not now affiliated therewith. He and his wife are active members of the Baptist church, of which he is a deacon. For six years he served as president of the Iowa Children's Home and his wife was a collector for that institution for ten years. They have both lived exemplary lives, doing what good they could and supporting all measures for the betterment of the general welfare. They are a kindly and hospitable couple, who by their consistent and worthy lives have commanded the esteem and good will of all who know them.

Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Iowa Its History and Tradition, Volume III,1804-1926.

CC Note: Frank Allison Hiser died on March 14, 1938 in Grinnell, Poweshiek County, Iowa.