Born in Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, on June 28, 1823, and is the oldest son of Jas. L. Hogin, and Eliza, nee Crouch. In 1832 his father removed to Indianapolis and engaged in mercantile pursuits, and the son became a very valuable assistant of his father. Mr. Hogin, it may well be said that he was bred a man of business, and the uninterrupted success which has attended him through life may be attributed to his early training. In 1848 he removed to Sigourney, Keokuk county Iowa, and engaged in business on his own account. He retired from business, near the close of the year 1877. Soon after retiring he became uneasy and restless, and he came to the conclusion it was better to wear out than to rust out, and he again embarked in business, after a brief retirement, changing, however, to the drug and book trade, and in this as in other pursuits, he has made it a success. During the rebellion Mr. Hogin became a candidate for the State Senate on the Union war ticket, and was elected to serve in the Tenth General Assembly, 1864. Mr. Hogin's uninterrupted business career in Keokuk county covers a period of over thirty years and justly entitles him to the credit of being in business longer than any merchant in the county. He was married to Miss Christina H. Richards in 1847, a native of Highland County, Ohio.