a rented farm in Polk county. In 1906 he again came to Cambridge, where he has since lived retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.
In March, 1882, Mr. Hegger was united in marriage to Miss Bertie Nutson, by whom he had four children, three of whom still survive, namely: Cora R. and William Howard, both at home; and George J., who acts as clerk in the office of the board of control at Des Moines.
Mr. Hegger is a republican in politics and is now ably discharging the duties devolving upon him in the capacity of road supervisor of Union township. Both he and his wife belong to the Lutheran church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. The period of his residence in this part of the state covers more than four decades and he has long enjoyed an enviable reputation as a substantial and representative citizen of the community.
JASPER COOK.
One of the stable and representative men of Union township, Story county, and one who has done much to develop the welfare of his community is Jasper Cook, who has spent all his life on the farm which he now owns, being born here February 6, 1869. His parents were John and Lucy (Sears) Cook, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Ohio, she coming to Story county with her parents in her youth. The father, who was born in Lewis county, New York, August 15, 1835, arrived in this county when he was twenty years old and purchased a farm in Union township, the same one now owned by the subject of this sketch, and here he spent the remainder of his life. He was most successful in following the vocation of farming, and from time to time added to his possessions until he had acquired some five hundred and twenty acres of land. When he arrived in Cambridge, in October, 1855, the town consisted of one shanty and an old sawmill. Mr. Cook was one of the first men to use tile for draining and was also the first farmer to make use of a binder. He was one of a party to raise the first liberty pole in Cambridge, which act created such intense feeling that those who participated in it were threatened with death. This excitement, however, caused by local feeling, soon died away, and Mr. Cook was not molested. As an example of his energy and thrift it may be stated that the land he owned was fenced with rails split entirely by himself. In politics he was a republican but refused to run for office, although urged to do so by his many friends. However, having the interest of the community at heart he consented to serve as school director, a position he filled with honor to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the township. His death occurred December 29, 1893.
Jasper Cook, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of Union township and upon attaining his majority worked in cooperation