Charles W. Titus (1845-1931)

TITUS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/27/2022 at 12:34:58

Charles W. Titus
(September 2, 1845 – December 12, 1931)

One of the most practical and enterprising farmers of Garfield Township is Charles W. Titus, who has long been actively identified with the agricultural interests of this county. He is a native of the Prairie state, his birth having occurred in Adams County, Illinois, on the 2d of September, 1845. At an early day his father, Malichia W. Titus, born April 15, 1819, had removed from
New York to Illinois, and in Adams County took up a tract of wild land, which he broke with oxen and later converted it into a good
farm. He was subsequently a resident of Henderson County, Illinois, for a time, and spent his last years in Wisconsin, where he died on August 18, 1866. He was a soldier of the Civil War and a farmer by occupation. He was twice married, the mother of our subject being in her maidenhood Miss Sarah Utter, born April 22, 1823, and died on the 12th of October, 1854. By that union there were four children: Charles W., of this review: and David, who is now living in Colorado: also Levonia and Luke K. Our subject grew to manhood in Illinois, his early life being mainly passed in Henderson County. He received a good district education, and early acquired an excellent knowledge of every department of farm work. At the age of eighteen years be started out in life for himself by working as a farm hand at fourteen dollars per month and was thus employed for about three years. In 1868 he came to Iowa and for three years operated rented land in Polk County. As a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Mr. Titus chose Miss Alice Payne, and they were united in marriage in 1871. She was born in Polk County, Iowa, July 1, 1854, a daughter of Jesse and Clarky (Crum) Payne, both of whom were natives of Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Titus the following children were born: (1)Francis M., born November 14, 1872, married Inez Garten, and they have two children, Bessie and Howard, (2) Samuel T., born December 28, 1874, married Edith Garten, (3) Ernest A, born February 28, 1876, is still at home, (4) Irene E.. born October 21, 1878, is now the wife of Clifford Garten, and they have one daughter, Alice, and an infant son, (5) Robert J., born March 10, 1880, is at home, (6) Isaac D., born June 10, 1884, died November 27, 1901, (7) John W., born July 10, 1890, (8) Charles C, born May 22, 1893, and (9) Eva Z., born January 9, 1896, are all at home. The first land which Mr. Titus owned was a tract in Nebraska, which he disposed of after it had been in his possession for a short time. Coming to Calhoun County, Iowa, he purchased his present farm in Garfield Township about 1884, it consisting at that time of two hundred and forty acres, to which he has since added until he now has a valuable tract of land of three hundred and sixty acres. At one time he also owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in Elm Grove Township, but has since sold that, and now has three hundred and twenty acres in South Dakota besides his property in this state. He has made all of the improvements upon his home farm, including the erection of a nice residence, and he and his sons are successfully engaged in the operation of all his land in Garfield Township. Energetic, enterprising and industrious he has met with marked success in his undertakings. His possessions have been acquired through his own unaided efforts, and as the result of his consecutive endeavor he has won a place among the substantial citizens of his community. Mr. Titus attends the Methodist Episcopal church and affiliates with the Republican party, and he has most efficiently served as school director and trustee. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S.J. Clarke, 1902, p.474]