Story City is largely due to his efforts. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias, was for six years keeper of the records and seal and has passed through all the chairs of the lodge, being now past chancelor commander. He is also a valued member of the Modern Woodmen of America and he and his family affiliate with St. Peter's Norwegian Lutheran church. He is a man of many genial characteristics and at the same time is a thorough business man of systematic and methodical habits, who has the ability to advance his own interests and also to add largely to the comfort and happiness of others. He is an uncompromising advocate of temperance and has successfully led in many a conflict with the forces of the opposition. Much of his success is due to his knowledge of human nature and the ability he possesses of reading aright the motives of those with whom he has come into contact. Today he clearly occupies a position as a leader in this section.
THOMAS HEMSTOCK.
Among the well known and enterprising agriculturists of Story county is Thomas Hemstock, who owns one of the finest and best equipped farms in Union township. He is of English parentage and was born on the Isle of Man on the 1st of June, 1832, being a son of Thomas Hemstock. He was but six weeks old when the family sailed for America. Landing at New York, they soon removed to the interior of the Empire state, where they lived for one year, and then went to Lorain county, Ohio, but at the end of a year again moved, locating this time in Winnebago county, Illinois. Three years later Mrs. Hemstock died, when her son was only five years of age, too young to have any recollection of his mother whatever. Later the father married Miss Martha Taylor and continued to make Illinois his home until 1870, when he migrated to Iowa, settling in Union township, Story county, where he lived until his death at the age of sixty-five years.
Mr. Hemstock made his home on the farm with his father and step-mother and, being the eldest of the family, he obtained but meager education. The work of the farm was heavy and only at such times as he could be spared was he permitted to attend the brief sessions of the district school. On the 23d of March, 1852, he left home and with an ox team took the overland route to California. It was a long, hard trip but life on the frontier had inured him to hardships and privations and, nothing daunted, with light heart and bright dreams of what the west held in store for him he started. On the 3d day of the following August he drove into Placertown, Eldorado county, California, and for fourteen years he followed mining in California, Montana and Idaho, ever hoping, despite discouragements and misfortunes, to make a "find." In September, 1866, he returned to the old home in Illinois and after remaining there for a time came to Story county, Iowa, to