STACY, Milton S.

STACY, WEST, SCOFIELD, CROSBY, LIEBEN, SMITH

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 2/2/2011 at 22:10:58

Milton S. Stacy has been an active factor in the business development of Mitchell county for many years and is now engaged in the coal trade in Osage. He was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, on the 8th of December, 1840, and is a son of John and Laura (West) Stacy. John Stacy, father of Milton Stacy, was born in Vermont, March 16, 1811, and removed westward in 1850, becoming a resident of Janesville, Wisconsin, where he lived for about six years, there passing away in 1856. He was both a physician and farmer, devoting his life to pro­fessional interests as well as to agricultural pursuits. His wife was a native of Allegany county, New York, and they were married in the Empire state, removing westward to Wisconsin. They became the parents of four children: Milton S.; Edward W.; Emily L., who became the wife of Franklin A. Scofield; and Wal­lace W.

Milton S. Tracy pursued his early education in the district schools of Janesville, Wisconsin, and was reared in that locality. On the 8th of December, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Mariette B. Folsom, who was born at Rouse's Point, New York, May 7, 1847. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Wis­consin, and there resided until 1866, when they removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, and took up their abode in the village of Mitchell, where Mr. Stacy purchased an interest in a general store, entering into partnership with his brother-in-law, Franklin S, Scofield. They also established a grain business when the railroad was built through, in 1870. Prior to this time they had to haul all of their sup­plies from Cedar Falls. They continued in the village of Mitchell until 1872, when they removed their stock to Osage, following the establishment of the county seat at that point. They here conducted an elevator and again started in the grain trade, at the same time conducting a general store, Mr. Stacy having charge of the store. In 1875 they disposed of their grain business and both partners remained in the store. Mr. Stacy was active in its conduct and management until 1885, when he sold his interest to Mr. Scofield, and in company with his son-in-law, C. C. Crosby, opened another store under the style of Stacy & Crosby. This asso­ciation was maintained until 1889, when Mr. Stacy purchased the interest of his son-in-law and continued the business alone under the style of Stacy & Company until 1905, when he sold out. For a year he was not connected with any business, but indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and in 1906 he pur­chased the coal business of John Decker. This he conducted independently for five years, at the end of which time he leased the business and buildings for five years but in 1916 he reentered the trade and is still a well known coal merchant of Osage. He is accorded a liberal patronage and has made an excellent record through the integrity of his business methods and his unfaltering enterprise.

To Mr. and Mrs. Stacy were born five children: Ella, who is the wife of C. C. Crosby, living in New York city; Jessie M., the wife of William Lieben, a resident of Glasgow, Montana; John F., whose home is in Mankato, Minnesota; Florence E.; and Maude E., the wife of L. A. Smith, of Spirit Lake, Iowa.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Stacy hold membership in the Congregational church and have been active workers in its interests. For several years Mr. Stacy served as one of the trustees of the church and also acted as treasurer for a considerable period. His political endorsement is given to the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several local offices. He served as a member of the board of county supervisors for seven years and was its chairman for five years of that time. He has attained high rank in Masonry, belonging to Osage Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been worshipful master; Osage Chapter, of which he is a past high priest; Osage Commandery, K. T., of which he is a past eminent commander; and Zuro Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Minneapolis. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Eastern Star. They occupy an enviable social position and the hospitalty of the best homes of this part of the state is freely accorded them in recognition of their personal worth.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II., page 373.