Karl F. Haugen

The attractive Hawley home at 604 N. 13th St. is probably the only Fort Dodge residence with the date of its construction—1912—set in large figures in the brick work on one of its exterior walls. The home was built by A. W. Hawley, who engaged in diversified farming but specialized in Royal Belgian draft horses.

The Hawley home
604 No. Thirteenth Street

The home has changed ownership only twice since it was built in 1912. In 1942 it was sold to Forrest Hagerman, an official of the Tobin Packing Company. The Hagermans occupied the residence until 1953 when it was sold to D. E. McTigue and his wife, Elizabeth (Betty). Mrs. McTigue continues to reside in the home since the death of her husband in 1965. There are three sons in the family—Michael, Brian and Dennis.

A. W. Hawley was born in Bridgeport, Conn., in 1875 and after a few years in the banking business made a trip to Iowa and settled in the Pioneer area. He brought out a large supply of nursery stock and planted many homesites around Pioneer. In the late 1890s Hawley established his home in Jackson Township of Webster County. He was married in 1902 to Martha Waller.

Hawley made several trips to Belgium to purchase breeding stock for his Belgian draft horse operations. His farm was known as “Whip Tree” because of a cottonwood tree that grew there by chance. Mrs. Harold B. Freeman, the former Susan Hawley Atwell now living in Whittier, Calif., recalls that her father had groves, orchards and various plantings on the farm.

The Hawleys built their home in Fort Dodge and moved here so the children could attend city schools. The house has undergone interior remodeling since it was built. Room arrangements on the first floor now include reception hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, den, powder room and sun porch. The upstairs has four bedrooms, full bath, large walk-in closets and screened-in porch.

Hawley continued active farming for six years after moving to Fort Dodge. Later he managed a number of farms he owned, judged horses at the Iowa State Fair and showed his prize horses at various fairs and shows. For a time he was in partnership in the horse business with Roy Ives who farmed near Duncombe.

The Hawleys were parents of three children—Mrs. Harold B. (Susan) Freeman of Whittier, Calif.; Mrs. Louis (Betty) Kelso of San Mateo, Calif.; and Richard (Dick) Hawley, a retired Pan-American pilot now living in Seattle, Wash. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hawley are now deceased. Mr. Hawley died in 1932 at age 57; Mrs. Hawley died in 1942.