HAZLET, William Hugh

HAZLET, GRAHAM, ALBAUGH, FROST, GARDNER, MCCUTCHEON, NELSON, WESLEY, CHASTAIN, STARKS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/28/2014 at 11:19:05

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 282-84. Chicago. 1915.

WILLIAM HUGH HAZLET

William Hugh Hazlet, of Eden township, is one of the best known breeders of Red Polled cattle in the middle west and has shipped thoroughbred cattle to twelve states of the LTnion. He also carries on general farming and the two branches of his business yield him a handsome yearly income. A native of Iroquois county, Illinois, he was born on the 2d of April, 1862, of the marriage of Hugh D. and Margaret A. (Graham) Hazlet. Further mention of his parents is given elsewhere in this work.

William H. Hazlet attended school in his native state until 1870, when he accompanied his parents to Decatur county, Iowa. He continued his education in the school of district No. 1, Eden township, this county, and he remained under the parental roof and gave his father the benefit of his labor until he was nineteen years of age. He then began farming for himself upon the home place and following his marriage, which occurred when he was twenty-one years old, erected a residence upon the homestead. In addition to farming that place he operated a farm of two hundred acres, which he rented from John Albaugh and which is situated a half mile south of the homestead. Seven years later Mr. Hazlet purchased the one hundred and twenty acre farm where John Frost now resides, and planted the large orchard on the place and the fine evergreen windbrake on three sides of the orchard. After two years he sold that property and removed to Center township, where he rented two hundred and eighty acres owned by John W. Gardner. In 1901 he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres on section 12, Eden township, and two years later took up his residence thereon. He subsequently added an eighty acre tract to the property. He not only operates his two hundred and fifty-five acres but also rents from one hundred to one hundred and fifty acres additional land, most of which is devoted to pasture. His herd of Red Polled cattle is known throughout the cattle world of the middle west and he has shipped cattle for breeding purposes to twelve states of the Union. He also buys stockers from the Missouri river markets which he feeds and sells. He likewise ships several carloads of hogs annually.

Mr. Hazlet was married in 1883 to Miss Mary E. McCutcheon, who was born October 18, 1863, and is a daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Nelson) McCutcheon, pioneer settlers of this county. Her parents were natives respectively of Floyd county, Indiana, and of Madison county, that state, and the father was born on the 27th of October, 1833, while the mother's birth occurred on the 18th of February, 1842. They were married March 17, 1859, in Cambria, Wayne county, Iowa, where they remained until 1865. In that year they emigrated with their family to this county and located two miles south of the county farm in Eden township. There the father purchased land, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and attention. He passed away in that township April 3, 1891. His wife subsequently removed to Leon and there her demise occurred September 13, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Hazlet have nine children. Minnie, born June 2, 1884, is at home and is a dressmaker by profession. Ruey, born June 25, 1886, was married June 22, 1910, to Otto Wesley, principal of the schools of Melbourne, Iowa, and they have two children, Keith and Vera. Ruby, born March 21, 1888, was married on the 17th of June, 1909, to R. L. Chastain, of Eden township, and they have one child, ____ Mary, whose birth occurred August 12, 1890, is teaching in Center township. Fannie, born June 18, 1893, who was also a teacher in that township for several terms, was married June 2, 1915, to George Starks, of Manchester, Oklahoma. Their home is at Waldron, Kansas. William James, who was born November 5, 1895, is at home and is assisting his father with the farm work. Ida, who was born September 22, 1898, is a member of the class of 1916 of the Leon high school. Raymond L., born November 25, 1901, is attending district school. Florence Venice, the youngest of the family, was born January 12, 1908, and is also attending the district school.

Mr. Hazlet was a democrat for many years but now votes for the man regardless of his party allegiance. For several terms he served as clerk of the Eden township school board. He and his family all belong to the Church of Christ of Eden township, in the erection of whose house of worship he assisted, hauling the lumber which was used in the structure. He takes a deep interest in the furtherance of the work of that organization and contributes generously to its support. He studies carefully the various problems that confront the farmer and stock-raiser and is at all times ready to profit by the results of experimentation in those fields. He has gained more than usual success in his chosen occupation, has won an enviable reputation as a breeder of thoroughbred cattle and has accumulated more than a competence. He is not only esteemed for his business ability but is also highly respected because of his sterling integrity.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2014