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Shelby County
>> 1889 Index Biographical
History of Shelby and Audubon Counties, Iowa H Unless noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. The
Portsmouth Livery, Feed and Sale Stable is owned and controlled by
Michael Hammes.
This barn was built in 1882, but was not bought by the
present proprietor until 1888.
He keeps a large number of good driving
horses and good carriages.
He is doing an extensive business, and is
one of the popular business men.
Michael Hammes was born in Germany,
May 10, 1865.
When he was seven years old his parents determined to try
their fortunes in the new world, so they emigrated to Keokuk County;
there Michael grew to manhood, spending his youth on the farm and in
attending school.
December 1, 1885, he was married to Bertha Goltner,
and by this union two children have been born - Willie and an infant
son.
In politics Mr. Hammes finds the expression of his principles in
the Democratic party. He is a young man, jovial and genial to all, and
deserves the popular regard and esteem in which he is held.
George
Hawley,
a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, was born September 14, 1824, and
is the son of Pierce and Sarah (Schrader) Hawley, pioneer settlers of
Illinois.
He was reared in the county of his birth, and remembers the
time when Springfield was a hamlet and Chicago was supplied with but one
store.
He was in his fourteenth year when his parents removed to
Caldwell County, Missouri; there they remained over a year, and then on
account of their religious faith, that of the Latter Day Saints, they
were compelled to leave the State.
In company with the total church
membership they returned to Illinois, and recrossed the river to Lee
County, Iowa; there they resided three years and then removed to Black
River Falls, Wisconsin.
There they lived for one year and then went to
Texas.
During their stay in Texas the first jail was erected in the
city of Austin, and our subject was one of the principal; workmen.
Although reared to farm life he learned the carpenter's trade, and made
it his chief occupation.
Mr. Hawley was married July 4, 1846, to Ann
Hadfield, daughter of Samuel and Mary A. Hadfield.
She was born in
England, April 14, 1830, and at the age of twelve years came to America.
Mrs. Hawley died September 16, 1887.
When Mr. Hawley was married his
brother John and his sister Priscilla were married with the same
ceremony, at the same time, in the church at Austin, Texas, by Lyman
Wright, one of the apostles of the church of the Latter Day Saints.
After his marriage Mr. Hawley continued to reside in Texas until 1854,
when he removed to the Cherokee Nation, and there engaged in mill-
building for two years.
In 1856 he removed to Utah Territory, settling
in Pine Valley, Washington County; there he engaged in the saw-mill and
lumber business - the manufacture of looms, spinning-wheels and reels.
He made this his home for fourteen years, and in 1870 he came to Grove
Township, Shelby County, and settled on an unimproved farm of 140 acres.
He has made all the improvements necessary to a comfortable home, and
has placed the land, which he has increased to 180 acres, under good
cultivation.
Mr. Hawley is a Democrat, and has represented his township
as trustee.
For forty-five years he has been an elder in the church of
the Latter Day Saints, and his family are also members of the same
society.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawley are the parents of eleven children -
Martha (deceased), George C. (deceased), Mary L. (deceased), wife of O.
E. Holcomb;
Maroni (deceased), Gideon M., Rosina, wife of David
Jenkins; Sarah, wife of Benjamin Parker; Isaac L., Joseph, Lillian E.,
and William, at home.
Oliver E. Holcomb, the fourth child of O. E. and Sarah (Duntly) Holcomb, was born February 21, 1841, in Ashtabula County, Ohio. At the age of thirteen he came with his parents to Iowa, which State has since been his home. He was brought up to the occupation of a farmer, and attended the common schools of the neighborhood. His first business enterprise was undertaken in partnership with his brother, H. C.; they made a purchase of land which they sold to good advantage after three or four years cultivation. In 1872 Oliver E. bought forty acres of wild land which he began at once to improve; he erected a frame residence, buildings for stock and again, and placed the soil under high cultivation. He has added to the first small beginning until he now owns 170 acres, all in one body excepting ten acres of timber. Having taken it in its original state, its present advanced state of improvement reflects much credit upon the owner. Mr. Holcomb's life is a fair example of what a man can accomplish in this country, even though he start with nothing but ambition and a determination to succeed. He was compelled to endure most of the hardships that fall to the lot of a pioneer, but his courage did not forsake him, and to-day he occupies a position with the foremost men of the county. He affiliates with the Republican party, and has always taken an active interest in forwarding the principles of that body. He has served on the board of trustees of his township, and also on the board of education. Mr. Holcomb was married December 25, 1873, to Miss Mary L. Hawley, daughter of George and Ann (Hatfield) Hawley; she was born in Texas August 15, 1853, and died August 21, 1888. They are the parents of four children - George E., born January 18, 1875; Gertrude, January 2, 1877; Roscoe, October 1, 1879, and Leslie, October 16, 1883. They are members of the Latter-Day Saints church. ELI E. HOOVER began his residence in Shelby County in 1878. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1848, and is a son of David and Sarah (Alloway) Hoover, natives of Pennsylvania. He was a babe of eleven months when his parents pushed to the frontier and settled in Johnson County, Iowa. There he grew to manhood, being trained to the duties of a farmer's son, and receiving the limited advantages offered by the pioneer schools. December 7, 1871, he was married to Miss Mattie A. Green, a native of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. She was an infant when her parents, David and Rachel (Peffer) Green, removed to Johnson County, Iowa. The year of his marriage Mr. Hoover removed to Cass County, Iowa, and remained there six years; in 1878 he came to Shelby County and settled on 160 acres, which form a part of his present farm. He has made additions to his first purchase until he now owns 240 acres, in an advanced state of cultivation. He has a fine house, and has planted a grove and an orchard; his barn is one of the largest and most substantial in the township. He devotes himself exclusively to farming and stock-raising, and has been very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are the parents of five children - Irvin, Elbert, Clinton, Ross and Walter. Mr. Hoover is inclined to the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Evangelical church, and of the Pioneer Class of the township, being steward of the same. He is strictly honorable in business, and has the confidence of all with whom he has any dealings.
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