HIDY, George W. - 1890 Bio (1832-1913)

HIDY, WAGNER, MOORE, SEARS, CRUM

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/9/2007 at 20:34:30

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 285-286

G. W. HIDY, one of the honored pioneers of Jefferson County, Iowa, residing on section 22, Locust Grove Township, came to the county in 1856 from Fayette County, Ohio.

Mr. HIDY was born in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of George and Susan (WAGNER) HIDY, who were parents of nine children, he being the fifth in order of birth. From Virginia, their native State, they removed to Ohio, in 1825, making a location in Fayette County, where Mr. HIDY carried on farming for many years. He reached the advanced age of eighty, and passed from this life in 1880, having survived his wife fifteen years. The HIDY family was established in America by the grandfather of our subject, a Hessian gentleman, who was pressed into the British service to help subdue the Colonies during the Revolutionary War, but on reaching this country he deserted and made a home, establishing a family of which our subject is a descendant. The WAGNER family dates its residence in America from Colonial days. The original American progenitor after reaching this country had to work for three years to pay for his transportation. He made his home in Virginia and his descendants fought for American independence.

The early life of our subject was spent in a manner not unlike that in which farmer lads usually pass their time. During the summer months he aided his father in farm labor and in the winter season attended the district schools of the neighborhood, where he acquired a good English education. Reading and observation have largely supplemented the knowledge acquired in the schoolroom and he is now a well-informed man who keeps well posted in regard to all general issues. At the age of twenty-four years he determined to try his fortune in the West and made a location in Jefferson County, Iowa, then a part of the Territory of Michigan. For some three or four years after his arrival, he devoted himself exclusively to carpenter work, then divided his time between that occupation and farming, but is now engaged exclusively in agricultural pursuits.

It was a fortunate move for Mr. HIDY, his coming to Iowa, for he here became acquainted with and wedded Miss Mary MOORE, who has been to him a true helpmate on life's journey. Their union was celebrated in 1857. The lady is a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Samuel and Mary (SEARS) MOORE. Her father, a native of Kentucky, went to Indiana in his youth and was there married. He came with his family to Jefferson County, in 1852, settling in Locust Grove Township, but after some years residence in that locality he removed to Phillips County, Kan., where he yet makes his home. He lost his wife some years ago while they were living in Kankakee County, Ill. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. HIDY was a native of Kentucky and died in Indiana. Her maternal grandfather, David SEARS, was born in North Carolina and wedded Catherine CRUM, a native of the same State. At an early day they removed to Kentucky, locating near Louisville, whence they went to Indiana. Later their place of residence was in Coles County, Ill., and in 1846, they arrived in Jefferson County, Iowa, where Mr. SEARS purchased a claim and developed a farm, continuing to make his home thereon until his death, which occurred in 1870. His wife died some years previous. He was well known throughout the county as one of its honored pioneers and was a most highly respected citizen.

For thirty years G. W. HIDY has owned and operated his present farm. His first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres but only twelve acres of that amount was broken. Clearing away the brush he plowed the land, planted crops and in the course of time had a good farm which yielded him a ready return for the care and cultivation he bestowed upon it. As the years passed along and his financial resources increased, he made other purchases until now his landed possessions aggregate three hundred and forty-five acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation, while the remainder is devoted to pasture, Mr. HIDY giving considerable attention to the raising of stock. He keeps on hand only the best grades that his business in this line may not be inferior to the rest of his farming interests.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. HIDY has been blessed with five children, two sons and three daughters, namely: Mary, Susan, Blanche, Charlie and George.

The cause of education finds in Mr. HIDY a warm friend and for three terms he was an efficient member of the School Board. He has held other local offices including that of Township Assessor but has never sought political preferment. However as every true American citizen should do, he feels an interest in political affairs and by his ballot supports the Republican party. More than a third of a century has passed since he came to the county. Iowa then was in its infancy. The State afforded no railroad facilities, its leading cities were then mere hamlets or had not yet been founded, and the work of civilization and progress seemed scarcely begun. Jefferson County, thanks to its early settlers, has kept pace in the progress which has marked the history of the State, being one of the leading counties of Iowa. Although its towns and cities are not commercial centers, Fairfield is a thriving place with good general trade and furnished with many of the facilities which places, assuming to be of more importance, lack. As a splendid agricultural region the county is hardly surpassed and its steady growth and advancement argue for it a prosperous future as well as present. Mr. HIDY has borne his part by bringing about this result and after his name may fitly be written the words -- an honored pioneer.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.