HOECK, WILLIAM H.

HOECK, HANSON, HIGGINS, PETTIBONE, BIERSTEAD

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/22/2004 at 14:22:59

Biography reproduced from page 257 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

William H. Hoeck engages in general farming and stock-raising on a farm of eighty acres located on section 17, Greenwood township, five miles west of Bancroft. He was born in New York city, on the 27th of July, 1864, and is a son of the late Paul and Katie Hoeck. The parents were born, reared and married in Germany, whence they emigrated in the early ‘60s to the United States. Upon their arrival in this country they first located in New York city, but later came to Iowa, buying a farm in Benton county. They resided there for several years and then, disposing of their property, removed to Kossuth county, purchasing the farm in Greenwood township now owned by their son, Paul Hoeck, Jr. The father was a man of diligent and thrifty habits and during the period of this ownership made many improvements on this property, including the erection of the present residence. There he passed away at the age of seventy-eight years, while the mother was sixty-three at the time of her death. They are both buried in the cemetery at Bancroft. He was a republican in his political views, and he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran church. They were the parents of eight children, the four eldest having been born in Germany and the remainder in Benton county, Iowa, with the exception of our subject. In order of birth they are as follows: Mrs. Mary Hanson; Mrs. Sophia Higgins; Lena, who has passed away; Mrs. Hettie Pettibone; William H., our subject; Andrew, who lives in Seneca township; John, deceased; and Paul, Jr., who is mentioned at further length elsewhere in this volume.

The education of William H. Hoeck was received in the common schools of Benton and Kossuth counties, and in common with the majority of youths who are reared in the country he early began to assist with the work of the farm. He has always devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits and has met with gratifying returns in his undertakings. After his marriage he rented a farm in Seneca township which he operated for three years, his efforts being so well remunerated, that he acquired sufficient means to purchase his present place, formerly the property of John Feal. Mr. Hoeck has made many improvements during the period of his ownership, including the erection of a fine new barn and the remodeling of the house. He devotes his fields almost entirely to the raising of such cereals as can be used in feeding stock, and feeds almost all he raises. He is a man of progressive ideas and is constantly striving to attain a higher standard and achieve better results in the development of his interests. He keeps high-grade cattle and hogs, and everything about his farm evidences a careful regard for details and competent supervision.

The lady who now bears the name of Mrs. William H. Hoeck was formerly Miss Annie Bierstead, a native of Burt township and a daughter of Christ and Dorothy Bierstead. The parents were among the early settlers of Burt township, where for many years the father engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is now deceased but the mother is still living and makes her home in Whittemore, this county. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoeck, William C. and Merida, both of whom are attending school. Mr. Hoeck votes the republican ticket and he and his wife hold membership in the German Lutheran church, numbering in that congregation many friends.