Zearl Verlin Hallcock (1896-1976)

From the Red Oak Express, June 13, 1962.

   A longtime farmer in Mongomery County, Iowa, Zearl Verlin Hallcock served several terms as mayor of Elliott in the 1950s and 60s. A resident of Iowa until shortly before his death, Hallcock was born in Pilot Grove on October 24, 1896, the son of John H. (1870-1962) and Lelia Hallcock (1876-1953). Little information exists on his early life or education, except note of his residence in Pilot Grove with his family. Hallcock married in Pottawattamie County on January 9, 1918, to Loraine Kirby (1901-1975), to who he was wed for over fifty years. The couple had three children, Bernadene (1924-2008), Billy (1928-2011), and Thomas (birthdate unknown). 

  A farmer for the majority of his life, Hallcock first farmed in Pilot Grove and in 1936 took over the operation of the 80-acre Vannorstrand farm, which was purchased by his father. Following its purchase, the Hallcock family's total farming acreage extended to 440 acres in Montgomery County. Hallcock removed to Elliott, Iowa in 1946, where he continued farming, and by 1962 had the "managership of three family-owned farms" in the vicinity. Additionally, Hallcock worked as an auctioneer both before and after his removal to Elliott. 

  Following his settlement in Elliott, Zearl Hallcock was a member of the local Methodist church, the Elliott Businessmen's Club, and the Elliott Activity Club. In 1947 he served as chairman of a two-day Elliott community celebration and entered town politics in March 1950 with his election as mayor. Curiously, there were no announced candidates for mayor of Elliott that year and Hallcock's election was due to "a write-in vote of 41." He served two consecutive terms, 1950-54, and in November 1957 was returned to the mayoral chair. By 1962 Hallcock had logged five terms as Elliott's mayor, and in October 1963 announced that he wouldn't be a candidate for a sixth term.

From the Red Oak Express, October 14, 1963.

  In 1965 Zearl Hallcock entered into the Elliott mayoral race and that November defeated incumbent Robert E. Allen. He left office in January 1968, and in October 1975 suffered the death of his wife of fifty-seven years, Loraine. Hallcock survived his wife by several months, dying in Brighton, Colorado on April 22, 1976, aged 79. He was survived by his three children and was interred alongside his wife at the Hillside Cemetery in Elliott.