Unless otherwise noted, these biographies were taken from A History of Clay County, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889.
Contributions are welcome. If you have any biographies of your Clay county ancestors that you would like to contribute, whether from other sources or written by yourself, please contact me at: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator
H - I
Hagedorn, Claus
Hagedron, Christain
Hastings, Irving C.
Hayes, F. L.
Henry, Lemuel H.
Hirleman, J. F.
Hiser, F. A.
Hitchcock, H. G.
Hoberg, H. H.
Hodgin, Al
Hoxie, Charles W.
Hurt, Thomas J.
Clay county biographies: A-B, C-D,
E-F-G, J-K-L, M-N,
O-P, Q-R, S-T-U-V,
W-X-Y-Z.
Return
to Index.
Claus Simonsen Hagedorn, second son of Simon Clausen and Anna Johanne (Torring) Hagedorn was born August 9, 1846, at Fjilstrup Jutland, Denmark. It was here he married Ingeride Marie Svensdatter, the daughter of Sven and Karrine Jonsoon on November 18, 1871. She was born in Holmatrop, Sweden. She came to Denmark in 1867 where she worked until her marriage. Claus and Ingeride had 13 children who were all born in Denmark. In 1888 their daughter, Joanne "Mary", age 16, came to Clay County to live with her aunt and uncle, Tom and Martha Hagedorn. She went out to work to learn the English language. In l891 two more daughters, Anna and Maggie, came over and in 1896, Sena and Emma came. Then in 1897 the rest of the family sailed for America and settled in the Peterson-Royal area. Claus had remained in Denmark to take care of his living mother, which was the custom ( the eldest was responsible for his parents). His mother died in 1895 so he could join his sister, Karen and brother Thomas and Lauritz, who had all come to Clay County in the 1885-1890 years. Claus purchased a farm 2.5 miles southeast of Royal. In 1912 he sold it to a nephew (Hans Hagedorn) and retired to Royal. He died at the age of 90 on December 19, 1936. ''Auntie Claus" spend the last years with her daughter, Emma, in Blair, Nebraska, where she died at 101 years on March 23. 1949.
Their children were: Anna Catherine (1872-1929), was married to Peter Bossen (1870-1906). They had seven children-Hans, Mary, Emma, Esther, Ida, Clarence, and Peter. They lived in South Dakota.
Joanna Marie (Mary) (1874-1931) married Henry Berg (1861-19--) in 1890. Their children are listed under the Berg family.
Margaretha (Maggie) (1875-1971) married in 1895 to Albert P Madsen (1874-1958). They had two sons-Herman and Howard.
Karen Mathilda (1876-1923) married in 1896 to Niels Christian Lund (1865-1928). They had ten children-Clarence, Harry, Elmer, Verner, Edgar, AMarinus, Ralph, Edna, Gladys, and Arley.
Emma Christine (1879-1968) married William Johnson (1876-1960) in 1906. They had three children-Elmer, Arthur, and Vernette. They lived in Blair, Nebraska.
Simon Claus (1880) born and died in Denmark.
Sena (1881-1965) married Rev Marius Hansen (1874-1968). There were four children-David, Alfred, Rudolph, and Marshall.
Simon Claus (1882-1913) died in South Dakota.
Christine (1884-1892) died in Denmark.
James Svendsen (1885-1969) was married in 1914 to Marie Eleanor "Nora" Hendricksen (1884-1970). They had thirteen children-Fern, Everett, Talbert, Forrest, Willard, Helen, Virginia, Kenneth, Orla Jean, Herbert, Burdell, Marilyn, and Ronald. They lived in Royal and Spirit Lake.
Inga Marie "Mamie' (1887-1967) married in 1913 to Sam A LeGore (1885-1964). They had one girl-Ruth, and lived in Omaha and Long Beach, California.
Claudia Dusina (1889-1969) married in 1912 to George Suggitt (1888-1976). They had four children -Erma, Vivian, Doria. and Arley.
Christian Simon (l891-1969) married in 1915 ________________ (1892-1959). They had one daughter-Florence and lived in Omaha. [editors note: married Amy Valliere in 1915]
Many of these descendants live in this area.
Contributed by: Larry Brugger. Source: excerpted from the Rossie Centennial book, published 2000.
Hagedron, Christain, dealer in agricultural implements, was born in Denmark April 23rd, 1862, and lived there until he was eighteen years of age. He then came to America, and settled at Cedar Falls, where he lived for four years working in a blacksmith shop, a trade he had learned in Denmark. From Cedar Falls he came to Clay county, and started a blacksmith shop at Willow Creek. A year later he moved to Peterson and engaged in the same business for two and one-half years. It was during the year 1888 that he retired from that business to go into the agricultural implement trade, first with Mr. Harum and afterwards with Mr. Hitchcock. He was married December 23rd, 1884, to Miss Elizabeth Bossen. They have three children: Thomas, Haus, and Christiana.
Irving C. Hastings has been a member of the Iowa bar since 1910, and his chief work as a lawyer and citizen has been done in Garner, Hancock County. Mr. Hastings is a native of New England, but has lived practically all his life in Iowa.
He was born at Corinth, Vermont, May 9, 1886, son of Charles C. and Louise A.(Avery) Hastings. Both the Hastings and Avery families were represented by soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and Mrs. Louise Hastings was eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Hastings family in America was founded by four brothers who came over in Colonial times, two settling in New England and two in Virginia.
Charles C. Hastings was a merchant and business man all his life. In 1888 he brought his family to Iowa and for four years conducted a general mercantile business at Cherokee. His next location was Spencer, and after he sold his local interests as a merchant he was on the road as a traveling salesman for Chicago wholesale grocery house until his death on March 4, 1925. His wife died March 11, 1911. He was a Republican and at one time was a candidate for the Iowa State Senate. Irving C. Hastings has two children: Glee L., wife of Z. M. Dervend, of New York City, and Ruth J., wife of W. J. Wiese, of Springfield, Massachusetts.
Irving C. Hastings was educated at Spencer, and after one year in high school there entered Culver Military Academy in Indiana, where he was graduated in 1905. For two years he pursued the academic course in the University of Iowa and then entered the law school of the university, from which he was graduated LL. B. in 1910. Mr. Hastings practiced at Algona, Iowa, until 1914, when he removed to Garner. Here he was associated in partnership with J. E. Wichman until the latter's death on March 28, 1929, and he is now conducting an extensive law business alone. He served as county attorney of Hancock County during 1915-19 and during the World war was local appeal officer and in 1918 entered the Officers Training School at Camp Pike, Arkansas. The armistice came before he received a commission.
Mr. Hastings has been a member of the Garner School Board. He is a Republican, is a charter member of the local post of the American Legion, belongs to the Blue Lodge, Royal Arch Chapter and Council of Masons, is a member of the Lions Club, Sigma Chi and Alpha Delta Phi.
He married, September 8, 1914, Miss Emma K. Miller, of Spencer, Iowa, daughter of Albert W. and Emma S. (Lamar) Miller. Her father was a banker, having organized the First National Bank at Spencer and was its president until his death. Mrs. Hastings has three sisters and one brother: Laura A., Mrs. J. A. Gilbreath, Jessie B., wife of N. Legsbeth, Albert W., of Spencer, and Bessie G., who is Mrs. J. A. Wilson, of California. Mr. and Mrs. Hastings have a son, Charles A., born July 16, 1915.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer.
Source: A Narrative History
of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC., by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL.
B., A. M., Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume
IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York, 1931.
Farmer, P. O. Spencer
Was born in New York in 1841, came to Clay 1871. At the outbreak of the war he enlisted in Co. F, 157th N. Y. Vol. Inf'ty and served three years and was discharged as Sergeant of his company. Mrs. Hayes died few years ago. He has seven children, Dora, Mary, Levi, Athol, Adelbert and Grace.
Among the leaders in financial circles in Sioux City is Lemuel H. Henry, vice president and chairman of the board of directors of the First National Bank, and a man who has staunchly supported every enterprise or movement for the upbuilding of Sioux City. He was born at Vernon, Van Buren county, Iowa, on the 9th of May, 1871, and is a son of Thomas P. And Jennie M. (Bennett) Henry. The former was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, and was there reared and received a public school education. At the opening of the Civil war, he responded to the president's call for troops, enlisting from Van Buren county, on May 27, 1861, and was mustered into service at Keokuk, Iowa, as a private in Company F, Second Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, under Captain J. M. Tuttle, to serve three years or during the war. The regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Corps, Army of the Tennessee. He participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, February 14-16, 1862, Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, and Corinth, Mississippi, October 3-4, 1862, there sustaining a shell would. He also received a gunshot would at the battle of Fort Donelson. He was honorably discharged at Pulaski, Tennessee, December 31, 1863, but re-enlisted on January 1, 1864, as a private and veteran in the same company and regiment. He took part in teh siege of Atlanta, Georgia, and in Sherman's march to the sea. He was promoted to sergeant in December, 1864, at Savannah, Georgia, and was again honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 1, 1865, at the close of the war. At the time of his death he was a member of Elias M. Wore Post, No, 516, Grand Army of the Republic, but had previously been a charter member of Shriver Post, No. 177, at Vernon, Iowa, which he had served as commander. On February 16, 1870, he was married to Miss Jennie M. Bennett, who also was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, and whose parents, Samuel M. And Sarah M. (Whitson) Bennett, were early settlers of this state, her father coming from Ohio and her mother from Pennsylvania. They were both of Quaker descent. Mrs. Henry's oldest brother, Lemuel W. Bennett, was killed at the age of seventeen years in the Civil war, while serving with the Eight Regiment Iowa Cavalry, and her youngest brother, Corwin N. Bennett, died at the close of the Spanish-American war, after serving in the Fiftieth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The death of Thomas P. Henry occurred in 1900, and his widow then made her home with her son, Lemuel H., until her death, which occurred February 2, 1925.
Lemuel H. Henry secured his education in the public schools of his native county and in a business college at Burlington, Iowa. During vacations and after leaving school he followed farming until eighteen years of age, when he decided to start on a business career. His first job was as timekeeper for the Phillips Fuel Company, of Ottumwa, Iowa, at their mines near that city, where he remained three months. He then accepted a position as messenger in the Ottumwa National Bank, remaining there two years. He then went to Burlington, Iowa, where he became associated with a fire insurance company, first as bookkeeper, and later as treasurer. In January, 1899, the company removed to Sioux City, and in 1901 Mr. Henry entered the Iowa State National Bank, which institution later absorbed the First National Bank, using the latter name. Mr. Henry was made cashier of this bank in 1906, holding that position until 1915, when he was elected vice president, and in 1924 was made chairman of the board of directors, which positions he still retains.
Politically, Mr. Henry is an ardent supporter of the republican party and takes a deep interest in public affairs but has never sought office of any nature. He is a member of Tryian Lodge, No. 508, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Abu-Bekr Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Sioux City Lodge, No. 112, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Association of Reserve City Bankers, the Sioux City Country Club and the Kiwanis Club. He is actively interested in civic affairs and throughout the range of his acquaintance is held in the highest measure of confidence and esteem.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume II, 1804-1926.
Hirleman, J. F., of Albee & Hirleman, was born in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, August 28th, 1861, where he lived until nearly three years old, when with his parents he moved to Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa, and there remained until 1883, when he came to Spencer. For three years he was in the employ of M. P. W. Albee, now his partner. In 1886 he went to Tripoli, and until November, 1887, engaged in business for himself, conducting a store. During that month he sold out and returned to P. W. Albee. On October 31st of the present year he was married to Miss Mattie E. Wyatt, of this county. Mr. Hirleman is a young man possessed of sterling qualities, a stirring business man, a thorough merchant, and one who interests himself in every cause that will benefit and raise the moral condition of men. He is captain of the Sons of Veterans, secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, and actively identified with the Sunday School. He is one of the rising young men of Spencer.
F. A. Hiser, who is now living retired in his comfortable home in Spencer, during the course of a long and varied career so managed his affairs as to gain a competence, while his record has been such as to earn for him the unqualified respect and good will of all who know him. A native of Wood county, Ohio, he was born on the 5th of May, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Calista (Calkins) Hiser, the former a native of Ohio, while the latter was born in New York. Their marriage occurred in Ohio, in which state the father passed away, after which the mother came to Iowa and lived with her son until her death. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five sons are still living.
F. A. Hiser, the oldest of the family, was reared and educated in Ohio, in which state he lived until 1883, when he came to Iowa and located on a farm in Meadow township, Clay county, to the operation of which he devoted his attention for about nine years, when he sold that place and moved to Spencer, where he has lived continuously since. For about twenty years he traveled for an insurance company, but in 1912 his health failed and he quit the road.
In the fall of 1921 he opened a summer resort near Spirit Lake, known as "Hiser's Oakland," where he built six cottages and made other improvements tending to make the place attractive for those desiring an ideal place for summer vacation. He also bought and sold real estate for a time, but is now practically retired from business pursuits, living quietly and comfortably in his home in Spencer. He is the owner of a store building in Spencer, as well as a farm and some lots and a residence in Minnesota.
In 1876, in Ohio, Mr. Hiser was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie A. Matthew, who was born and reared in that state, the daughter of George and Sarah (Windgate) Matthew. Her parents were natives of England, from which country they came to the United States in an early day, locating in Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. Mr. and Mrs. Hiser have two sons, O. F., who is married, and G. H., who is engaged in the real estate business in Chicago. Politically Mr. Hiser gives his support to the republican party. For a number of years he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows but is not now affiliated therewith. He and his wife are active members of the Baptist church, of which he is a deacon. For six years he served as president of the Iowa Children's Home and his wife was a collector for that institution for ten years. They have both lived exemplary lives, doing what good they could and supporting all measures for the betterment of the general welfare. They are a kindly and hospitable couple, who by their consistent and worthy lives have commanded the esteem and good will of all who know them.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Iowa Its History and Tradition, Volume III,1804-1926.
Hitchcock, H. G., dealer in agricultural implements, residence Pine Street, Peterson, was born in Oswego county, New York, March 6, 1857, and lived there until he was eighteen years of age when he came to Iowa and located in Storey county and engaged in farming there until 1882, when he moved to Buena Vista and pursued the vocation of a farmer. In 1889 he moved to Peterson and entered into partnership with C. Hagedron in the agricultural implement business. He is a man possessed of plenty of pluck and energy and is a most excellent salesman. The firm is a strong one, and one calculated to make the line of trade in which they are engaged a success. He was married in 1877 to Miss Isabella McCain. They have four children: Iva, John, Jessie and Vernie. Mr. Hitchcock is a valuable acquisition to the Peterson business circle.
Among the highly respected and influential citizens of Clay county who, after years of earnest and well directed labor, are now retired from active business pursuits, stands H. H. Hoberg, of Spencer, and no man enjoys public confidence and esteem to a greater degree. He was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, December 2, 1857, and is a son of H. H. and Frederica (Shlingman) Hoberg, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to the United States early in the '50s and located in LaSalle county, where they lived until 1868, when they moved to Livingston county, Illinois, and bought a farm. There the mother died in 1879, leaving two sons. The father was again married in 1889 and in 1896 came to Spencer, Iowa, where he lived until his death, which occurred August 31, 1900.
H. H. Hoberg was reared on the farm in Livingston county, Illinois, and secured his education in the public schools. When he attained his majority he started out o his own account, working about a year as a farm hand, and the for seven years he farmed rented land in Illinois. In 1889 he came to Clay county, Iowa, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which he located ad to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted himself with such success that he was enabled to buy more land, until today he is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of well improve and highly cultivated land in this locality. In 1906 Mr. Hoberg retired and moved to Spencer, where he owns an attractive home and is now enjoying a well earned leisure, though still maintaining a general supervision over his properties.
On April 13, 1882, Mr. Hoberg was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Vollmer, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of August and Dorothy Vollmer, both of whom were natives of Germany, and both are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoberg have been born two children, as follows: Minnie H., is the widow of Ray E. King ad the mother of three children, David H., born July 31, 1915; Margaret L., born March 19, 1917; and Mary L., born January 25, 1920. Carl, born April 14, 1885, lives on his father's farm. He is married and has five children, three sons ad two daughters. Politically, Mr. Hoberg maintains an independent attitude, voting according to the dictates of judgment, and has been active in affairs relating to the welfare of the community, having served as commissioner of highways in his native state and as a member of the Clay county board of supervisors. Fraternally he is a member of Spencer Lodge, No. 312, A. F. and A. M., in which he has passed all the chairs, and Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, A. A. S. R. Mr. and Mrs. Hoberg are also members of Evening Shade Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star in which Mrs. Hoberg served as worthy matron for three years. He and his wife are members ad liberal supporters of the Congregational church. He is a genial and companionable gentleman, has a wide acquaintance throughout this county ad commands the respect and good will of all who know him.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough Gerischer. Source: Northwestern Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume II, 1804-1926.
Livery stable, Main Street, is one of the few men who thoroughly understand the livery business and knows how to run one successfully. For a great many years he has made this his avocation, and consequently has come to understand it in every sense. His teams are first class and have good drivers. His buggies are neat and new, and in fact everything pertaining to his stable is kept in a neat and attractive manner. Himself a genial gentleman, and ever ready to accommodate his patrons, it is not strikingly strange that he has established a most excellent business. His stable is located on Main street, near the Earling, and is easy of access.
Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 106.
Among the worthy retired farmers and veterans of the Civil war now living in Clay county, is Charles W. Hoxie, who is also numbered among those who have contributed to the development and progress of this section of the state. Mr. Hoxie was born in Branch county, Michigan, on the 7th of July, 1849, and is a son if Orton and Hannah M. (Van Patten) Hoxie. His parents were born, reared and married in New York state, whence they went to Michigan in 1812, locating on a farm, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was engaged in railroad construction work and laid the first T rail on the Rock Island railroad into Joliet, Illinois. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are still living.
Charles W. Hoxie was reared on his father's farm in Michigan and received his education in the public schools of that locality. In 1864, when fifteen years of age, he enlisted, at Jackson, Michigan, in Company I, Thirteenth Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, withwhich he served to the end of the war. He took part in a number of the big closing battles of that war and marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. He came through with but one slight wound and was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Kentucky. He then returned home and remained on the farm with his father until he had attained his majority. He was then married and in 1871 he started west, locating in Cherokee county, Iowa, from which point he soon afterwards went to O'Brien county, Iowa, where he took up a homestead in Grant township. He lived on that place until 1878, when he rented the farm and moved to Spencer. For awhile he was engaged in grading work on the railroad, but later he sold his O'Brien county farm and bought one hundred and forty-four acres of land in Clay county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his efforts, making of it one of the best farms in this section of the state. He is now retired from active business affairs and is living in a comfortable and attractive home in Spencer.
In 1871 Mr. Hoxie was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia Bishop, daughter of Levi and Susan Bishop, both of whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoxie have been born five children, namely: Alice, who is the wife of J. C. Taber; Nina M., the wife of R. W. Dean; Frank O., who lived on his father's farm; R. W.; and one that died in infancy. Mr. Hoxie is a member of Annett Post, No. 124, Grand Army of the Republic, and in political affairs gives his support to the republican party. Mr. Hoxie is a poet of more than ordinary ability and has a large collection of his writings in book form. Many of the poems have been published and have received very flattering comment. Mr. Hoxie is a man of sterling character, has always given his support to those movements which have had for their object the betterment of the community, and has ever been regarded as a reliable and dependable citizen.
Contributed by: Debbie Clough
Gerischer. Source: Northwestern
Iowa, Its History and Tradition, Volume II, 1804-1926.
Thomas J. Hurt, who is contributing largely toward the financial worth of Dickens, Freeman township, Iowa, was born in Bedford county, near Bedford City, Virginia, on June 18, 1875, a son of John F. and Margaret E. (Morgan) Hurt, natives of that state and parents of the following children: Lizzie, wife of G. D. Harmon, of Midway, Tennessee; Sallie, deceased, who was the wife of Thomas Jacobs: Bertie, deceased, who wedded Robert Kirk: John P., of Fresno Flats, California: Flora, who was united in marriage with Ira A. Bowles, of Mosheim, Tennessee: Oscar, of this place: Virginia, who wedded Jacob R. Bowles of Midway, Tennessee: and Thomas J., our subject. The elder Mr. Hurt was a merchant in Davis Mills, Virginia, and from there he removed to Tennessee and went into the business of tobacco raising at Little Chucky, where he died in 1888 at the age of fifty-two years. His wife survived him eighteen months and departed this life when forty-five years old. He was a Confederate soldier under General Robert E. Lee, engaging in active service for two years, during which time he was commissioned as a captain of a company. Toward the end of hostilities he was taken prisoner in Virginia and was held for six months, being released at the close of the war. The paternal and maternal grandfathers were also natives of Virginia.
When his parents removed to Tennessee Thomas J. Hurt was an infant, and he was consequently reared there, acquiring his education in the common schools. He left that state in 1893, repairing to Nebraska, where he went to work on a farm in Gage county, and followed agricultural pursuits for two years, at the expiration of which time he formed a partnership with M. Van Moyer and went into the harness business. In the year 1900 he came to Dickens and established himself in the business which he has since been successfully following.
In 1904 he wedded Miss Hepsie Baker, a native of Clay county, and a daughter of Nathaniel and Rosa E. (O’Grady) Baker, and they have one daughter, Bertha E. Mr. and Mrs. Hurt are faithful in the fulfillment of their religious obligations, being members of the Congregational church in which they are active workers. Mr. Hurt is numbered among the up to date men of the community and through his industry and perseverance has acquired a high standing in commercial circles.
NOTE: Hepisa and Thomas also had a son, Thomas Yale Hurt, born March 21, 1913, died on January 17, 1980 in California. Noted by Tary Alpizar, granddaughter of Thomas and Hepisa and daughter of Thomas Yale.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 527.
