About six miles south of the famous battle ground of Gettysburg, in the state of Maryland, the Hon. R. W. Hinkhouse was born August 17,1850, but that section of the country did not long claim him, as in 1853 he was brought by his parents to Iowa, the family arriving at Davenport after six weeks en route. Soon afterward they removed to a place known as Limestone Farm, on section 14, Sugar Creek township, and it was there that R. W. Hinkhouse was reared to the age of twenty-one years, spending his youthful days in the usual manner of farm lads, save that the routine duties of the farm were varied by the work of burning lime, for the father had a large lime kiln upon the place.
His parents were Frederick and Hannah (Hunick) Hinkhouse, the former born in Hanover, Germany, in 1818, and the latter in Prussia in 1827. Mr. Hinkhouse landed at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1840, while his wife was only about nine years of age when she came with her parents to the new world. They were married in Pennsylvania and their last days were spent in Cedar county, Iowa. The death of the father occurred December 9, 1885, while his wife passed away December 5, 1908. He not only followed farming and stock-raising but was also successfully engaged in the manufacture of lime. He was likewise widely known as a breeder of shorthorn cattle and had an exceptionally fine herd. From time to time he made further investment in land and at his death owned about fourteen hundred acres, of which five hundred acres were comprised within the borders of the home place, which he operated. He was a Lutheran in his religious belief in early life but after coming to Iowa joined the Presbyterian church. In his political views he was a democrat and held various township offices for a number of years.
Unto him and his wife were born eleven children, namely: Mrs. Alice Hellyer, now living in Newton, Iowa; Francis, who was killed by a horse when eleven years of age; R. W., of this review; Mrs. Ellen Ridenour, who died in Iowa township; Caroline; Amelia, who died at the age of three years; Rev. J. F. Hinkhouse of Fairfield, Iowa, who is financial agent for Parsons College of that place; Mrs. Mary Whitmer, of Sioux City; Emma, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Simon, whose home is in San Antonio, Texas; and Aaron, who married and at his death left a widow.
Throughout the period of his youth R. W. Hinkhouse attended the country school and later became a student in the Normal School at Wilton under Professor J. B. Harris, one of the best known educators of that day. In the winter of 1870 he broke one of his legs and was thus unable to do any manual labor for some time. While going around on crutches he taught the first term of school conducted in the White Pigeon schoolhouse. When the injured member had healed he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, operating a rented farm, on which he did his own housekeeping for two years. He was the owner of a horse his father had given him while it was a colt and in addition he possessed ninety dollars in money that he had saved from his four months’ salary at teaching. Thus equipped he began farming on his own account and continued to cultivate rented land, as previously stated, for two years.
In 1873, however, Mr. Hinkhouse went to Kansas, where he engaged in prospecting and farming for a few months and at the end of that time he resumed farming in Cedar county, settling in Farmington township, where he resided until 1900. For ten years he rented land and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres which he improved and developed. Year after year he carefully tilled the fields, rotating the crops and securing the latest improved machinery to facilitate his work. As time passed his labors met with substantial returns. In 1900, however, he sold his property and temporarily located upon a farm east of Rochester. In 1901 he traveled over the corn belt of the United States and became convinced that the best opportunities and the cheapest lands were to be secured in and around West Liberty. Accordingly he invested in five hundred and fifty-five and one-half acres known as the A. E. Kimberley farm, on section 29, Iowa township, and since that time he has added to his property as he has found advantageous opportunity until he now owns ten hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in one body. He also has a farm adjoining West Liberty on the north and comprising one hundred and sixty eight acres of land. This is a valuable property worth two hundred and fifty dollars per acre. On his extensive tract of ten hundred and sixty acres he has four sets of good buildings which are far above the average. The land is devoted to the raising of grain and stock and the business there conducted is proving very profitable, so that Mr. Hinkhouse secures a gratifying income from his investment.
It has not been along agricultural lines alone, however, that Mr. Hinkhouse has won success. He is recognized as a business man of marked enterprise and of an initiative spirit and because of these qualities he has assisted in organizing four different banks, including the Union Savings Bank of Wilton, of which he was a director for a number of years, the Wilton Savings Bank, the Atalissa Savings Bank, of which he is now a director, and the Downey Savings Bank, of which he is now vice president. He is also a stockholder in the Iowa State Bank at West Liberty. He finds a ready solution for the intricate problems of finance and his sound judgment has constituted a valuable factor in the successful control of these different institutions. He is also one of the directors of the White Pigeon Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Wilton.
In his political views Mr. Hinkhouse has been a life-long democrat and is one of three members of that party who have been chosen to represent the county in the state legislature. He served as a member of the twenty-sixth regular session of the general assembly and through the extra session called by Governor Drake. Previous to his election to the legislature he served as county supervisor for six years and during four years of that time was chairman of the board. It was during that period that the courthouse was remodeled and a new jail built and equipped with modern cages, also the Cedar Valley bridge was built across the Cedar river and many other important public improvements were made. Mr. Hinkhouse has always stood for progress and advancement, and his labors as a public official and as a private citizen have constituted an important element in the county’s growth and upbuilding. His religious faith is indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Presbyterian church of Sugar Creek.
On the 23d of September, 1875, Mr. Hinkhouse was united in marriage to Miss Anna Smiley, who was born near Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and came to Cedar county with her parents in 1869. She is a daughter of William and Jane (Glasgow) Smiley, both of whom died in this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hinkhouse were born seven children, namely: George V., who is conducting the home farm in Iowa township in connection with his brother Fred; Albert J., who is operating a farm in Iowa township; Verda, who is the wife of C. A. Mountain of Springdale township, and has three children, Mina, Bonita and Norwood; Myrtle, who is a graduate of Grinnell college, and is now attending a medical college in Philadelphia, taking a three years’ preparatory course under the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions; Fred W., who is in partnership with his brother George; Clarence Glenn, who was born March 9, 1891, and died June 19, 1909; and Nellie D., who is at home.
Mr. Hinkhouse is residing temporarily in West Liberty in order to educate his youngest daughter. His has been an active and useful life in which he has won success and also the high regard of his fellowmen. He has lived in the county for fifty-seven years and throughout the entire period has commanded the confidence and good-will with all with whom he has been associated. His record in all his public as well as private relations has merited the trust and respect of his fellowmen and because of his prominence and what he has accomplished, he well deserves mention in this volume.
George V. Hinkhouse, now closely associated with farming interests in Iowa township, was born on the old home place in Farmington township, August 8, 1876. There he acquired his early education, afterward attending Highland Park College at Des Moines. At the close of his school work there he returned home and was associated with his father in business until he and his brother Fred took charge of the old home farm, which they have since cultivated. George Hinkhouse is also serving as treasurer of the school district and is well known as a stanch advocate of democratic principles.
Albert J. Hinkhouse was born in Farmington township in December, 1878, and has always resided in this county, making his home for nine years in Iowa township. He, too, has made farming his life work and now owns two hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 19 and 20. This is well improved, much of the work being done by the present occupant. He is now building a barn forty by seventy feet with a concrete floor and basement, which will be one of the best barns in the county. The place is appropriately termed “Evergreen Farm,” because of the large number of evergreen trees that surround his farm. Here he carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and his business ability is manifest in his success. He received a diploma from the country schools at the age of sixteen years and afterward spent four winters in the Wilton schools. His political allegiance has always been given the democracy, but he has never sought nor desired office. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church of Wilton and his many excellent traits of character have won him high regard. In 1904 he married Evelyn L. Cole, who was born in Jasper county, Iowa, in 1881, a daughter of Francis and Sarah F. Cole. After the death of her husband Mrs. Cole married again and now resides in Cedar Rapids. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Albert Hinkhouse have been born two children, Nevin R. and Hazel Marie.
Fred W. Hinkhouse was born in Farmington township, February 19, 1886, and has spent his entire life in this county, his attention being given to general agricultural pursuits. He is a graduate of the school of Springdale and also attended the American State Agricultural College. He is an enthusiast on the subject of progressive and scientific agriculture and has been most active in advocating progress along that line.
Mytle J. Hinkhouse has made a creditable record as a teacher. She was born in Farmington township, November 26, 1883, is a graduate of Grinnell College of the class of 1908, having previously attended Wilton Academy, from which she was graduated. She has devoted two years to teaching in the country schools and her work in that direction has given excellent satisfaction.
The Hinkhouse family is a prominent one in this part of the state and their labors have been of material benefit to the county in the development and progress of its agricultural interests. The work instituted by Frederick Hinkhouse has been carried on by his son, R. W. Hinkhouse, and is now being further promoted by the latter’s sons, who are all representative and valued business men of this portion of the state.
