John HUTCHISON, an active and enterprising farmer of Rice Township, living on section 18, a native of County Antrim, Ireland, born March 14, 1836, a son of George and Fanny (LUKE) HUTCHINSON, both of whom died in Ireland. John HUTCHINSON lived in his native country till nineteen years of age, when he sailed from Liverpool, England, for America, landing at New York City, July 8, 1855. He spent the first two years of his residence in this country in the State of New Jersey, where he was employed as a farm hand. He then came to McHenry County, Illinois, where he was married in 1859 to Miss Helen D. CROSS, a native of Steuben County, New York, and a daughter of James CROSS. After his marriage Mr. HUTCHINSON began farming on rented land, which he followed until 1865. In the spring of that year he removed to Leavenworth County, Kansas, and the first year was in the Government employ in the Quartermaster's Department, and the following year worked on a rented farm. In November, 1866, he came to Ringgold County, when he bought 120 acres and at once commenced improving his land. He still owns eighty acres of that purchase. His homestead now contains 200 acres of good land under fine cultivation. Mrs. HUTCHINSON died January 6, 1882, at that age of forty-five years, leaving at her death a family of eight children- Mrs. Sarah Jane HALL, Mrs. Fanny M. DILLE, George E., Mrs. Mary FERTIG, Cora, William, Susan and Maud all living at home but the married daughters. Isabel, the sixth child, died at the age of two and a half years. For his second wife Mr. HUTCHINSON married Mrs. Martha (BATES) DAY, in December, 1883, and to this union have been born two children- Edith and Adam Clark.

Mr. HUTCHINSON came to America a poor boy, but by his industry, frugality, and good management he has prospered in his agricultural pursuits, becoming the owner of a fine property, and by his honorable and upright dealings has gained the confidence of the entire community. Mr. HUTCHINSON is in his religious faith a Presbyterian. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party. Mr. HUTCHINSON has held several offices, serving as assessor three years, three years as trustee, two years as clerk, and school director thirteen years, holding all these positions acceptably and efficiently.

NOTE: Helen D. (CROSS) HUTCHINSON died at the age of 44 years on January 6, 1882, and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. Martha A. (BATES) DAY HUTCHINSON was born in 1845, and died in 1915.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 251, 1887.
WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

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