Hubert Herrington

Hubert Herrington. There is no man in all Monroe county who has done more for the advancement of its agricultural interests than our subject. A practical farmer himself, he has made a close study of all matters pertaining to farm life, and his progressive methods have done more to promote the material prosperity of this locality than the work of any other individual. His own efforts have been crowned with success, and his career entitles him to a leading place in this volume, for his life is an example of the power of steadfast, honorable purpose and indefatigable labor, and illustrates in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote of a man's life. Hubert Herrington was born in Geauga county, Ohio, near Cleveland, on the 5th of December, 1840, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the Buckeye State. His grandfather, Arnold Herrington, removed to Ohio with ox teams at a very early day, and settled in the forests of Portage county, where he opened up and improved a farm, making his home thereon until his death. The father of our subject, Seth Herrington, was a native of New York, and after emigrating to the Buckeye State met and married Miss Olive Merriman, a native of Hartford, Connecticut. The greater part of his boyhood had been passed amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and his education was acquired in the common schools. The farm on which he located at the time of his marriage he made his home throughout his remaining days, and there his wife also died.

No event of special importance marked the childhood and youth of our subject, who aided in the arduous task of transforming the old homestead into richly cultivated fields. In the public schools he became familiar with the common English branches of learning. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until twenty-one years of age, when, the Civil war having broken out, he responded to the country's call for volunteers and became a member of Company B, Forty-first Ohio Infantry, the regiment being commanded by Colonel W. B. Hazen. It was assigned to service in the army of the Cumberland and took part in several engagements, among the most important being the battles of Nashville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Pickett Mills and the siege of Atlanta. After the fall of that city his command returned to Tennessee, and he participated in the battles of Franklin, Columbia and Spring Hill. After the reorganization of the army by General Sherman, the corps of which the Forty-first Ohio Infantry was a member was sent to Texas, and there remained until November, 1865. The troops then returned Northward, and on the 3d of December Mr. Herrington was mustered out. Few men can boast of a longer or more honorable war record. Through the long years of that bloody struggle he was always found at the front, faithfully performing the task allotted to him, and the country owes her preservation to the valiant service of such men.

Resuming the pursuits of civil life, Mr. Herrington engaged in the manufacture of cheese in Geauga county for two years. In October, 1867, he came to Monroe county, Iowa and settled on a farm in Monroe township, purchasing eighty acres of land. He at once began general farming and stock-raising, and as his financial resources increased, he added to his property until he was the owner of 228 acres, pleasantly located five miles south of Albia. He paid considerable attention to the raising of horses and cattle, and in 1871 developed in Albia a new industry, the manufacture of cheese. He erected a cheese factory and no enterprise has been of greater benefit to the farmers of Monroe county than this. Mr. Herrington was a progressive farmer, always improving upon his own and other's methods, and a study of conditions and surroundings taught him that dairy farming would prove profitable in this county. Grass is here very easily raised and he saw that dairy farming would therefore yield quick returns and would involve less risk than the raising of grain. He therefore undertook the business himself and induced others to do so and thus established what has proved a most profitable industry. He owned the first creamery in Bluff Creek township, and after carrying on the business himself for a number of years he sold it to a stock company composed of farmers, and the factory is still in active and profitable operation. In May, 1895, he practically retired from business life, and is now enjoying a well earned rest at his pleasant home in Albia. He yet owns considerable realty, the rental from which adds not a little to his income. He now occupies the J. H. Drake homestead, a part of which lies within the corporate limits of Albia, and comprises fifty-five acres of choice land which he still operates, for his energetic nature will not permit him to entirely lay aside business, though no one is more entitled to an honorable retirement than he.

Mr. Herrington, while living on the farm, served as School Trustee and School Treasurer, and the cause of education has found in him a warm friend. In politics he is a stalwart advocate of Republican principles.

In February, 1866, Mr. Herrington was united in marriage with Miss Mary Babcock, a native of Geauga county, Ohio, and a daughter of David and Emily (Wright) Babcock. They have two children, a son and daughter: Orlo C., who is conducting a store owned by a coal company at Laddsdale, Davis county, Iowa; and Bertha, at home.