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 THOMAS HUTCHCROFT, who is a well-known representative of an honored pioneer family of Des Moines county, and for many years an active and enterprising farmer here, claims England as the land of his nativity. He is a son of John and Mary (Ripley) Hutchcroft, and was born in Yorkshire, England, April 3, 1854. The parents were both natives of Yorkshire. The father was born Aug. 20, 1817, and died May 26, 1898; and the mother was born May 8, 1817, and passed away May 6, 1905. They were the parents of eleven children, who came to America with them, and settled in Des Moines county at an early date.
In 1862 the father of our subject located in Yellow Springs township, where he bought forty acres of farm land. As time passed, he was enabled to add to this until he had one hundred acres at the time of his death. He was a man much respected, and stood high in the business and social circles of his community. Thomas Hutchcroft was reared under the parental roof, and began his studies in the district schools of Yellow Springs township, finishing them later in the high school of Kossuth, Iowa. He has a large farm of three hundred and twenty acres in the above-named township, two hundred of which are in Sections 22 and 23 and the remaining one hundred and twenty acres in Sections 2 and 3. He raises a great deal of oats and corn, and also directs his attention to the raising of cattle and hogs, annually shipping about eighty head of the former, as well as a great number of the latter. His land being so accessible to the railroad makes it of great value, and is certainly a convenience all round.
Sept. 10, 1885, Mr. Hutchcroft was united in marriage to Miss Myrtilla E. Tull, a daughter of John and Olive (McCray) Tull. They have six children: Oris, Raymond, Charles, Bessie, Ethel, and Florence. The children all have substantial educations, and all reside with their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchcroft have been for many years devoted members and attendants of the Methodist church, where the former has been an honored trustee for some time. Mr. Hutchcroft is a Republican, but has voted independently of late, for the men who, in his judgment, would best serve the interests of the community. He is a liberal-minded man, always ready to aid in the advancement of public interests, and is highly respected by all who have had the pleasure of knowing him. As an upright business man and good citizen, he stands in the front rank of the best citizens of Des Moines county.
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