Stookey, Millard Fillmore

STOOKEY, CLARK, FORREY

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2019 at 13:12:30

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volume II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 168. Chicago. 1915.

MILLARD FILLMORE STOOKEY

For nine years, or from April 1, 1906, until April 15, 1915, Millard F. Stookey was postmaster of Leon and gave strict attention to the duties devolving upon him. His birth occurred near Leesburg, Kosciusko county, Indiana, April 25, 1849, and he is a son of Levi J. and Sarah J. (Clark) Stookey. The father was born in Fayette county, Ohio, and was reared by his grandparents as he lost his mother when but a small child. Upon attaining his majority he removed to Indiana, where he was married, but in 1855 he came with his family to Iowa, settling on a farm in Linn county. He spent the remainder of his life there, passing away at the age of eighty seven years. Both he and his wife belonged to the Presbyterian church and his political allegiance was given to the republican party. His wife was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and when a girl removed to Indiana with her parents. She is still living at the advanced age of eighty nine years. They were the parents of eight children.

Millard F. Stookey received his early education in the district schools of Linn county and subsequently attended the Marion high school. Later he was for two years a student at Western College in Linn county, which has since been removed to Toledo, Iowa, and which is now known as the Leander Clark College. During his vacations Mr. Stookey worked in a printing office and learned the trade and after putting aside his textbooks he was for two years in a printing office at Toledo, Iowa, whence he went to Elroy, Wisconsin, where he edited a paper for two years. At the end of that time he came to Decatur county, Iowa, locating at Leon, September 1, 1877. After serving for two years as justice of the peace he was made clerk of the district court, which office he held for six years. At the end of that time he became associated with his cousin, Marion F. Stookey, in the conduct of the Decatur County Journal, our subject being the editor. The publication enjoyed a gratifying circulation and a good advertising patronage. On the 1st of April, 1906, he became postmaster of Leon and the acceptability of his service in that connection led to his being continued in the office until April 15, 1915, or for a little over nine years.

On the 20th of December, 1888, Mr. Stookey married Miss Jessie Forrey, a native of this place and a daughter of Judge Samuel and Abigail Forrey. Her father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to this county in 1854 and became a well known member of the bar. His preparation for the legal profession was secured by reading law with Thaddeus Stevens, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Mr. Forrey soon gained a foremost position in his profession and was elevated to the bench, serving for twelve years as judge of the district and circuit courts. He was one of the organizers of the republican party in this county and was prominent in its councils. He became a member of the Masonic order in Pennsylvania and after removing to Leon helped to organize the lodge here His demise was the occasion of sincere regret as he was a valued and public spirited citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Stookey have one son, Paul F., who in 1913 was graduated from the Chicago College of Medicine & Surgery in Chicago. He has spent two years in hospital work, the greater part of that time being at the Wabash Railroad Hospital, at Decatur, Illinois. He is now connected with the South Park Hospital in Chicago.

Mr. Stookey is a stanch republican and save for the time that he was postmaster he has for years taken an active part in the work of the party and is recognized as one of its local leaders. He has served for several terms as chairman of the republican county committee and has also been a member of the state committee. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Leon. His wife is a member of the Eastern Star, the Century Club and the P. E. O. Sisterhood. In all relations of life, whether as a private citizen or as an official, Mr. Stookey has conformed his conduct to high standards and has manifested a commendable regard for the general welfare.

NOTE: Millard died on March 19, 1934. Jessie (Forrey) Stookey was born in 1861, and died on June 3, 1934. They were interred at the Leon Cemetery, Leon IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014