Hon. John Hilsinger - 1879

HILSINGER, COONRODT, SCARBOROUGH, KINGSLEY, CRANDALL, OVERHOLT, LINCOLN, FREMONT, GRANT

Posted By: LuAnn Goeke (email)
Date: 5/31/2009 at 19:04:20

HON. JOHN HILSINGER, lawyer and banker, Sabula; was born at Marathon, Cortland Co., N.Y., on the 4th of March, 1835; his parents, Barnabus and Polly Coonrodt Hilsinger, were both of Holland ancestry. The "Judge," as he is familiarly called, is one of a family of thirteen children, twelve of whom are now heads of families; until 16 years of age, he was trained by his father to the rugged, exacting duties of a farmer's life, and the stern logic of circumstances prevented his attending school until his 15th year; his appetite for books was early developed, and, when once afforded means of gratification, he soon prepared himself for teaching winter schools, while working as carpenter and joiner during the busy season; thus he continued until 1856, alternating his mechanical and intellectual labors, but his love of study intensified with his growth, and by date of his majority he had developed a strong taste and adaptation "for the legal profession; his first year's study of the law was with Judge Lewis Kingsley, of Cortland Village, and his second with Judge Hiram Crandall, of the same place; he was admitted to the bar at Ithaca at the session of the Supreme Court in the autumn of 1857; the following year, he came West and was admitted to the bar in Charles City, Floyd Co., Iowa; in July, 1858, he settled in Sabula; for two years, he was law practitioner and Principal of the Public Schools; since 1860, his entire time has been devoted to his profession and his increasing business, personal and public; since 1873, he, in partnership with Ira B. Overholt, has conducted a banking; institution in Sabula; this is the only bank in the city and does a large business, being especially prominent as a general collecting agency. Mr. Hilsinger has served nine or ten terms as one of the County Supervisors; he was appointed Postmaster at Sabula in 1862 by President Lincoln, and held the office until elected to the State Senate in 1864, when, of course, he resigned; but he was re-appointed in 1873 and has retained the position until the present date, 1879; this fact, and his being chosen three terms as Mayor of Sabula, indicate his local popularity; while in the Senate, he was on numerous and important committees and he performed the duties with ability and fidelity; from the birth of the Republican party in 1856, he has been an active and consistent Republican and has served two years as a member of the State Central Republican Committee; he voted for John C. Fremont and was a member of the National Convention which nominated Gen. Grant in 1868. He has taken three degrees in Odd Fellowship, is a Royal Arch Mason and Knight Templar and has taken the Thirty-second Degree in the Scottish Rite. He affiliates with the M.E. Church, but is a professor of no creed. Probably one of the most important events of his life occurred in 1867, he having in October of that year taken as life partner Miss Mary E. Scarborough, a native of Sabula; she is a lady of liberal culture, a graduate of Lyons Female Seminary, and, at date of her marriage, was teacher of instrumental music; two children are living - George E., aged 5, and Margaret Lorinda, aged 3; two children have died in infancy. Mrs. Hilsinger, with her other accomplishments, "looketh well to the ways of her household;" she is the financial manager of internal affairs and the trusted counselor of her husband in general matters. Mr. Hilsinger is a public-spirited citizen and thoroughly interested in all matters designed to benefit the city, county or State; he is unassuming and affable in manner, solid and practical in thought and action; his business is increasing and he enjoys the unlimited confidence of his fellow-men.
Source: 1879 History of Jackson County Iowa, pgs. 696-697.