Carroll County IAGenWeb

HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY IOWA

A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement

VOLUME II ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1912

Transcriptions by Mona Sarratt Knight placed on this site with her permission.

Iowa derives her wealth largely from her agricultural interests. The great broad prairies of the state offer excellent opportunities to the farmer and stock-raiser. The soil requires none of that previous laborious preparation necessary in a district of native forest growth, but responds readily to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it, as the furrows are turned and the fields are cultivated. To this work of tilling the soil John F. Hoogestraat gives his time and energies, but does not confine his efforts entirely to one line, for he is also interested in the raising of high grade stock and in business circles has won for himself a creditable place. Mr. Hoogestraat was born in Arcadia township, Carroll County, on the 31st of January 1873, a son of F. J. and Anna (Kruse) Hoogestraat. The parents, as their names would indicate, were both natives of Germany, although they were married in America. The father, coming to this country in early life, located for one year at Freeport, Illinois, and then removed to Ackley, Iowa, where he was married. In 1872 he came to Carroll County, first taking up his abode in Wheatland township, while later he moved to Arcadia township, purchasing a farm here in 1875. That remained his home until his death in 1901. He was a republican in politics and in private life was honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife also passed away on the home farm, in 1900, her remains being interred in the Bruggeman cemetery. In their family were ten children, as follows: Alice, at home; John F., of this review; Fred, of Arcadia township; Anna, now deceased; Florence, the wife of George Ryan, of Denver, Colorado; Margaret, residing at Los Angeles, California; William O., superintendent of schools of Tekoa, Washington; Christina; Hanna, also residing in Los Angeles, California; and Otto, who passed away in infancy.

On the home farm John F. Hoogestraat was reared to manhood, and when old enough became a pupil in the public schools of Arcadia, graduating finally from the high school, after which he pursued a course of study in the Carroll College. He made good use of his educational advantages and after completing his college course engaged in teaching school for two years. He then took up agricultural pursuits, thinking that he would find that line of activity more congenial and remunerative, and now operates two hundred acres of land in Arcadia Township, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. He also owns one hundred and twenty acres of Iowa land and one hundred and sixty acres in the Panhandle of Texas, near the town of Happy. In all of his work he is progressive, employing the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, while close study has given him progressive and accurate knowledge concerning the best methods of raising stock. He is a feeder of cattle and also makes a specialty of thoroughbred Duroc Jersey hogs, and his live-stock interests constitute an important and lucrative branch of his business. Moreover he is secretary of the Arcadia Mutual Telephone Company, of which he was one of the organizers and also served as its first president.

In fraternal circles Mr. Hoogestraat belongs to the Woodmen of the World, at Arcadia, and in political faith is a republican. In local affairs he has taken considerable interest, but the honors and emoluments of office have never held attraction for him. Although he has not yet reached the prime of life he has nevertheless acquired a goodly measure of success, enjoying to a large degree the many advantages afforded by the present day, and being progressive, and a man whose life has always been in keeping with high standards, he justly deserves the prominent place which he occupies in the confidence and respect of his fellowmen.

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