John C. Hogan was a co-founder of the Middlefield Hustlers 4-H club in Buchanan County in 1943. This club is still in existence today and is very active in the community. John C. and his friends decided to start the club when 4-H was just being introduced into the county. He graduated from high school six years later in 1949. He worked at the Farmers Bank in Independence until he served in the Korean War. In 1955, John C. got married and started farming. At this time he became the 4-H leader of the Middlefield Hustlers group until 1980. He was a postmaster in Winthrop from 1965 until he retired in 1991.
Today he is living on the same farm that he was born on. He remains involved with the Middlefield Hustlers group by giving demonstrations for the group. John C. also enjoys that he was part of the lives of many young men while he served as a leader. “His boys,” as he refers to all of the members of the Middlefield Hustlers, have grown into outstanding men within their communities; some have becoming doctors, lawyers, and business owners. One thing that he has always valued and encouraged 4-H members to do is give demonstrations. John C. thought that learning how to speak in front of a group of people was a very important skill to learn. That really showed through as his group had members participating on the State Fair Demonstration Team for 12 consecutive years.
Rosemary
10/2/2009