Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 855
A. B. HOSBROOK

One of the oldest citizens of Missouri Valley, Iowa, is A. B. HOSBROOK, who has been a resident of the city since 1867. Born and reared in Indiana, in the city of Indianapolis, he came to Missouri Valley, Iowa, and taught school for many years in Harrison county. Later he became interested in farming and has been particularly active in the agricultural life of the county. As a member of the board of supervisors he has been instrumental in the building of many drainage canals throughout the county and thus enabled the farmers to get better results from their efforts. In fact, there has been no measure promoted for the general welfare of the county which has not found a ready and enthusiastic supporter in Mr. HOSBROOK. He is now past the age of three score and ten, but is still active and enjoying good health.

A. B. HOSBROOK, the son of Harvey and Miriam (ROBESON) HOSBROOK, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 2, 1844. His father was a native of Hamilton county, Ohio, and his mother of Kentucky. Harvey HOSBROOK was a farmer and contractor and lived near Indianapolis on a farm until late in life, when he removed to Indianapolis and died at the age of eighty-six. His wife died when A. B. HOSBROOK was only four years of age.

The early training of Mr. HOSBROOK was received on his father's farm near Indianapolis, Indiana. His elementary education was received in the district schools and he later attended Butler University in Indianapolis, where he prepared himself for the teaching profession. He taught for awhile in Indiana, and in 1867 removed to Missouri Valley, Iowa, where he taught school for fifteen years. He saved his money and invested it in land and with a judgment which has shown that he knew how to select the best land. He farmed for many years before retiring from active pursuits and locating in Missouri Valley.

Mr. HOSBROOK has served on the city council of Missouri Valley for ten years and for the past twenty years has been secretary of the Harrison County Agricultural Society. The success of this organization is largely due to the efforts of Mr. HOSBROOK, who has always been greatly interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the farmers of the county. For five years, 1905 to 1910, he was a member of the board of supervisors, during which period the numerous drainage canals of the county were constructed. It was during his term of office the present new court house was built, and he bore no inconsiderable part in its successful completion. In 1914 Mr. HOSBROOK was elected as a member of the board of supervisors for a second term, a position for which he is particularly well qualified.

Mr. HOSBROOK was twice married. He was first married to Mary Elizabeth MOORE, of Harrison county, Iowa, who died a year later, leaving one son, George Harvey, of Missouri Valley. Mr. HOSBROOK was married the second time in 1880 to Sallie MURPHY, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and the one child born to this union is deceased. Mrs. HOSBROOK is an accomplished writer and frequently contributes to the local press. She was formerly a teacher in the county and also taught in the eastern part of the state, as well as in Pennsylvania before coming west. She is a woman who interests herself in all worthy causes and is always ready to help others less fortunate.

Mr. and Mrs. HOSBROOK have long been active workers in the Presbyterian church. He was secretary of a Presbyterian Sunday school for more than thirty-four years, and his wife has been a teacher in the Sunday schools here for nearly the same length of time. Mr. HOSBROOK and his wife are both deeply interested in local reform and in everything which will make the community wherein they reside a better one in which to live.

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