Elwood Macy 1836-1923

MACY, MOORE

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/7/2018 at 08:55:24

15 March 1923 - West Branch Times

Elwood Macy was born November 16, 1836, at Spiceland, Ind., of Quaker parents. Was educated in the common schools. He taught in the nearby schools for several terms, after which he attended Earlham college at Richmond, Ind. He was then engaged as principal of the Friends Boarding School at Pickton, in the province of Ontario, Canada. After three years at Pickton, Mr. Macy went to West Fairmouth, Mass., and there in October, 1861, he and Eliza Moore were married and came to Iowa, where Mr. Macy had bought a farm near Springdale, Cedar county.

For a time Mr. Macy not only ran his farm, but also taught the Springdale school, and later became the principal of the schools of Salem in Lee county.

Later he devoted himself exclusively to farm work for a time. Then he engaged in mercantile business both at Springdale and at West Branch. The home was transferred from West Branch to Mt. Vernon in 1890 so that the children might attend Cornell and still be at home. For a number of years the father served as a traveling salesman. But to one who loved to be in his home this life became distasteful, and so twenty-four years ago Mr. Macy changed his line of salesmanship from shoes to life insurance. He followed this business until he had passed his 83rd birthday, three years ago, when he passed through a severe illness from which he never fully recovered.

He represented Cedar county in the General Assembly of Iowa in 1878 and 1879. At various times he served on school boards and he was a Sunday school superintendent for many years both at Springdale and at West Branch. Since living in Mt. Vernon he had acted as mayor for two terms. His death occurred Feb. 20. --Tipton Conservative