History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/John Hilsinger
JOHN HILSINGER was born at Marathon, Cortland County, New York, on the 4th of March, 1835. He secured a good education, read law with Judge Kingsley and was admitted to the bar at Ithaca, in 1857. He came to Iowa in 1858, making his home at Sabula in Jackson County where he taught school for two years, but has been engaged in the practice of law since 1860. Mr. Hilsinger was for about ten years one of the county supervisors, was postmaster of Sabula two terms, and has also been mayor of the city three years. In 1863 he was nominated by the Republicans for State Senator, and although Jackson County is generally carried by the Democrats, by reason of personal popularity and superior qualifications for the position, he was elected, serving in the Tenth and Eleventh General Assemblies. He was an influential member of several important committees and an able and discreet legislator. He has long been a prominent and trusted leader in the Republican party of the State. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention which in 1868 nominated General Grant for President.