Adjoining Clarence is an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres. Its fields are well kept, its buildings are modern and the stock seen there is of good grades. In the midst of the farm stands a large residence built in attractive style of architecture, and the place in its entirety constitutes one of the attractive features of this part of the county. It is the property of Elmer B. Hoyman, who is a well know agriculturist and business man, whom Iowa claims as a native son. His birth occurred in Jones county, February 1, 1868.
His father, William Hoyman, was born in Ohio, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth amid pioneer surroundings. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Julia Kerr, was also born and reared in Ohio. While living in the Buckeye state William Hoyman followed farming save that through the period of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union, serving for three and a half years in defense of the old flag and the cause which it represented. He was then honorably discharged and returned to his Ohio home, where he lived until about 1866, when he came to Iowa, settling in Jones county, where he purchased a farm that he cultivated for two years. He then sold that property and came to Cedar county, taking up his abode upon a farm in Dayton township. He spent his last years here and died September 14, 1882, when forty-nine years of age. His wife survives him and is now a resident of Chicago.
Elmer B. Hoyman was reared in Cedar county and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools became a pupil in the Clarence high school. He also pursued a course in a commercial school and for two years was a student in Cornell College. He was thus well qualified by liberal advantages for the onerous and responsible duties which have since devolved upon him. He remained with his mother until he had attained his majority, after which he pursued a course in civil engineering, which he followed for a year. At the end of that time he took charge of the old home farm, which he cultivated until the spring of 1904, when he sold the property and removed to his present farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land adjoining the corporation limits of Clarence. Here he erected a fine large residence, also built two good barns, one of which was destroyed by fire. He put up a machine house, scale house and hog house, put in a wind pump and enclosed his land and divided it into fields of convenient size by woven wire fences. In addition to the cultivation of crops he raises and feeds stock, making a specialty of buying and fattening western sheep. He feeds several carloads each year and also a large number of hogs annually, and raises some pure blooded Collie dogs.
In Cedar county, in the fall of 1892, Mr. Hoyman was married to Miss Jeanette Greig, who was born and reared in this county and is a daughter of John Greig, one of the well known farmers of the county, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. Unto them have been born four children: Alice M., Isabelle Pauline, Alberta Elizabeth and William G.
In consideration of the chief political problems that have engaged the attention of the country, Mr. Hoyman has come to the conclusion that the republican party stands more largely for improvement and progress, and therefore casts his ballot for its candidates when questions of national importance are involved. At local elections, however, where the only issue is the capability of the candidate, he does not hesitate to scratch his ballot, voting always independently. He is a well known friend and champion of the cause of education and for years has been officially identified with the schools of Clarence. He served as president of the school board for one year and endorses every movement that he believes will promote educational interests. A life-long resident of this state, he possesses the enterprising spirit which has been a dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country. He is thoroughly identified with the people and prosperity of Cedar county, and he is spoken of only in terms of praise and warm regard by those who are well acquainted with him.
