HOECK, PAUL, JR.

HOECK, HANSON, HIGGINS, EGAN, PETTIBONE, SCHWAB

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 3/22/2004 at 14:59:27

Biography reproduced from page 372 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Paul Hoeck, Jr., owns and operates a productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres located on the western part of section 19, Greenwood township, this county, which was formerly the property of his father. His birth occurred in Benton county, this state, on the 22d of March, 1873, his parents being Paul and Katie Hoeck, natives of Germany, where they were reared and married. Together with their four eldest children the parents emigrated to the United States, locating in New York city. They subsequently came to Iowa, settling in Benton county, where the father engaged in farming until 1883, when he removed with his family to Kossuth county. Upon his arrival here he purchased the farm now owned by our subject from Nat Hauk. It was only partially cultivated and of improvements there were few, but Mr. Hoeck was capable, energetic and practical, and had soon effected a marked change in the appearance of the property. He erected the present residence and also some of the other buildings. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hoeck passed away on this farm, the father’s death occurring at the age of seventy-eight years and that of the mother at sixty-three, and they are buried on the family lot in the cemetery at Bancroft. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoeck, as follows: Mary, the wife of Elias Hanson; Sophia, who married Richard Higgins; Lena, the deceased wife of Henry Egan; Anna the wife of Charles Pettibone; William, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Andrew, who lives in Seneca township; John, who is deceased; and our subject.

Paul Hoeck, Jr., was only a boy of ten years when his parents removed to Kossuth county, where he has ever since made his home. He received a common-school education and was early trained for an agricultural career by assisting his father with the work of the farm. After the death of his parents he took possession of the old homestead and is now owner of the property. Eighty acres of his land is under high cultivation and is devoted to the raising of cereals. He used practically everything he raises making a specialty of breeding a high grade of stock. He is meeting with success in his undertakings and is constantly bringing his farm up to a higher standard. His place is located five miles from Bancroft, where he is known as one of the substantial citizens of the community.

For his wife, Mr. Hoeck chose Miss Lizzie Schwab and immediately after their marriage they located on his farm and have ever since resided here. He is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to the camp at Bancroft, and also to the Yeomen. He votes the republican ticket, as did his father, and both he and his wife belong to the Lutheran church, in the faith of which they were reared. Mr. Hoeck is one of the estimable men of his community and is achieving success through the intelligent and capable direction of his affairs.