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         I. W. HILL, one of the settlers of Louisa County, Iowa, of 1852, now residing on section 13, Oakland Township, was born in Ohio, on the 15th of May, 1835. He was the eighth in a family of ten children, who were born to Francis and Elizabeth (Truss) Hill, natives of New Jersey. His parents removed to Ohio at an early day, thence went to Illinois in 1837, the father engaging in farming in Fulton County. Making that his home until 1852, accompanied by his family he came to Louisa County, locating on section 12, Oakland Township, where he bought eighty acres of Government land. He was one of the first settlers on the prairie in that section of the country. Until the time of his death, which occurred in 1860, at the age of eighty years, he was ever identified with the history of the township, and did much toward advancing its interests and molding its character. His excellent wife survived him several years, dying on the old homestead at the age of seventy-seven.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and received his education in the district schools of Illinois and Iowa. With his parents he came to this county in 1852, and his boyhood days were passed upon its almost unbroken prairies. In the month of October, 1865, in this county, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Beady, who was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Price) Beady, who were natives of Kentucky, and came to Iowa in 1856, settling in Wapello Township, where they passed the remainder of their days.

The young couple began their domestic life on section 12, Oakland Township, where they resided until 1879, removing at that time to section 13. By their union a family of ten children have been born, eight of whom are living—Herbert M., Samuel, John C., Lillie May, Robert, Adda Dell, Bessie and Jessie.

Mr. Hill’s first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres, which was in a wild, uncultivated state. He immediately began its improvements, and from time to time has added to the original purchase, until he now owns 320 acres of fine, arable land, 140 of which are highly cultivated and improved. Mr. Hill also raises considerable stock, including a good grade of horses and cattle. He takes an active part in the political affairs of the community, and casts his vote with the Republican party, being a strong advocate of the principles which it inculcates. A friend to education, he has done all in his power to advance its interests, and assisted in organizing many of the school districts of the county. Mr. Hill was one of the earliest settlers in Oakland Township, and has witnessed the many changes which have taken place in the county. His nearest neighbors were then three and four miles distant, the nearest mill was fifty miles away, and it required three or four days to make the trip to it. The people then often had a small handmill at their homes, and the mortar and pestle were also in use. The mother of Mr. Hill had her spinning-wheel, and wove the cloth which furnished the garments for her family. Money was scarce, times were hard, and often Mr. Hill would haul corn to Muscatine, for which he received but eight cents per bushel. To the early settlers who thus endured the trials, difficulties and hardships incident to frontier life, Louisa County owes much of her present prosperity, and they deserve especial mention in her history.