LEWIS HART

Lewis Hart, who is now living retired in Stanwood, has made his home in Iowa for more than half a century and successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits in Cedar county for many years, owning a well improved farm of two hundred and forty acres in Fremont township. In addition to his home property he also had a tract of eighty acres in Jones county. The year 1856 witnessed his arrival in Iowa, at which time he went through to Fort Dodge and took up a claim at Spirit Lake. He afterward sold the claim and in March, 1864, located in Fremont township, Cedar county, purchasing eighty acres of land. Subsequently he bought an adjoining tract of forty acres, broke the land, erected a house and there carried on farming for three years.

On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and purchased another farm, which he likewise operated for about three years and then sold. He next bought a tract of eighty acres two and a half miles north of Stanwood, erected a substantial residence and commodious barn, fenced the fields and brought the land under a high state of cultivation and improvement. As his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of that farm by additional purchase from time to time, operating the place altogether for forty years. In addition to the cultivation of cereals he also raised and fed stock, making a specialty of cattle and hogs. Since putting aside the active work of the fields he has made his home in Stanwood, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease. He owned three good residence in that town, having purchased one and erected two, which he has sold.

In 1858, at Ottawa, La Salle county, Illinois, Mr. Hart was united in marriage to Miss Lucy A. Sexton, a native of Canada, by whom he had six children, namely: H. J., who owns and operates a portion of the old homestead farm; W. D., who owns a farm and follows merchandising in Stanwood; W. L., a twin brother of W. D., who likewise owns a portion of the home place; Martha E., who passed away in 1902, leaving two daughters; and two who died in early childhood. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in June, 1906, and in November, 1908, at Stanwood, Mr. Hart was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Lyda Bouton, who was born in New York and reared in Iowa. Her father, Lewis Kiniston, was one of the early settlers of Jones county, Iowa. Her daughter, Viola, is now the wife of Jay Miller of Cedar county.

Mr. Hart is a republican in politics and has served in the capacity of township trustee for three years. He was identified with the school board for eighteen years and acted as its president for a time, doing much to advance the cause of education. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Reformed church, while his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church of Stanwood. The period of his residence in this state covers fifty-four years and his memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present. He has not only been an interested witness of the wonderful transformation that has here occurred but has taken an active and helpful part in the work of progress and improvement, lending his aid and influence at all times to the support of such measures as he deems will advance the general welfare.