Erasmus Darwin Hinman

HINMAN, SWEATLAND, RUSSELL, RUSK

Posted By: Sharyl Ferrall (email)
Date: 7/15/2009 at 06:02:16

For many years Erasmus Darwin Hinman engaged in farming and stock raising in Winnebago county and so ably managed his business affairs that he gained financial independence. During the later years of his life he spent considerable time in California, but passed away in Lake Mills.

He was born in Holland, Vermont, April 15, 1834, of the marriage of Ezra and Betsy (Sweatland) Hinman, also natives of the Green Mountain state. In 1862 the family removed to Worth county, Iowa, and subsequently to Winnebago county. The father was a farmer by occupation, but spent the last years of his life in retirement at the home of a daughter in Northwood, Iowa, dying there in 1868. The mother survived him for four years.

Erasmus Darwin Hinman was reared in Vermont and received his education m the schools of Holland and Derby, that state. He remained with his parents until 1856, when at the age of twenty-two years, he removed to Worth county, Iowa, where he took up a homestead, which in the course of time became one of the best improved farms of the locality. When he had resided in that county for only a short time he was honored by election as county treasurer, which position he filled for two years. At the end of that time he took up his residence in Lake Mills, Winnebago county, and not long afterward was elected county clerk and recorder, so serving for six years. He then left the county seat and returned to Lake Mills, and a short time later began farming in Center township, where in April, 1862, he had purchased a half section of land. As the years passed he steadily prospered and became the owner of most of the land in the north and west parts of Lake Mills. He made stock raising his principal business and on his place were to be found high grade horses, cattle and sheep.

After many years of active labor Mr. Hinman retired in 1892 and later traveled to a considerable extent. He owned two orange groves in California and for thirteen years made his home in Pomona, that state, but a short time before his death returned to Lake Mills, where he passed away in August, 1907, when in his seventy-fourth year.

On the 13th of June, 1861, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hinman and Miss Ellen Russell, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Rusk) Russell. Her father was born in Scotland and her mother in Ireland, but they emigrated to America in early manhood and womanhood. The father's demise occurred in Chicago, Illinois, in 1834, and the mother's in 1888. Mrs. Hinman was born in Chicago, September 7, 1834, and received a good education. While her husband was serving as clerk and recorder of Winnebago county, she taught school and proved very successful in that work. She had charge of the first school in Norway township. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Hinman adopted a daughter, Ruth, who died on the 5th of December, 1893.

Mr. Hinman supported the republican party at the polls and took quite a prominent and influential part in local politics, serving as a member of the town council of Lake Mills for some time and also as justice of the peace. He was also very active in church work, both he and his wife being earnest and consistent members of the Methodist denomination, and he served as superintendent of the Sunday school and as choir leader. His religious faith was the guiding force of his life and his strict integrity won him the unqualified respect of all who came in contact with him. His business ability was also generally conceded and his public spirit was manifested in the support of all movements for the advancement of the general good. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Hinman was very happy and congenial and they did all in their power to alleviate the sufferings of those around them, being extremely charitable and benevolent. Mr. Hinman gave the land for the Lake Mills grist mill and was always ready to assist those needing financial help, the poor always finding in him a friend. He assisted many men on the road to success and in his death the community realized that it had lost a valuable citizen. Mrs. Hinman has recently returned from California and purchased a home in Forest City, where hospitality now abounds and her many warm friends are always sure of a hearty welcome.

~History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1917, pg 44-47

Photo pg 46, Mr. and Mrs. Hinman

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