Caufield, Thomas

CAUFIELD, GLASS, BUTLER, DAVEY, DAVIDSON, MARSHALL, AILLAUD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/21/2009 at 12:46:11

Caufield, Thomas

A member of one of the worthy old pioneer families of northern Jasper County and for many years a leading agriculturists of Independence Township is Thomas Caufield, a man who has had the sagacity to foresee the great future of this signally favored section of the Hawkeye State and he has been content to spend his life on his native soil and his efforts as a loyal citizen have profited alike himself and the community at large.

Mr. Caulfield was born in Independence Township, this County, June 7, 1860. He grew to manhood here and was educated in the local schools. Turning his attention to farming when a boy, he followed that vocation up to a few years ago. His father, Thomas Caulfield, was born in Ireland and died in Jasper County, Iowa, having come to America in an early day. He married Jane Glass, who was born in Scotland and who is now residing with her son Thomas, of this review, her husband having died in 1890. They were married in Independence Township, this County, where Mr. Caulfield settled in 1855 when a young man, soon after his arrival in the new world. There were two sons in this family: George, the eldest, was born August 2, 1858, and died October 8, 1910, and Thomas of this review. This family started life in a primitive way here when the country was new and in time had a good home.

Thomas Caulfield was married on November 26, 1890, to Carrie Butler, who was born in Independence Township, this County, on September 13, 1871. She is the daughter of Charles and Eliza (Davey) Butler, the former born in Cambridgeshire, England, March 13, 1828, and died in Independence Township, this County, March 5, 1871. The mother was also born in Cambridgeshire, England, the date of her birth being August 15, 1833. She is residing with her son, R. P. Davidson, of Baxter, Iowa.

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Butler, namely: William C. died in California at the age of twenty-two years; John D. died in Illinois when six years old; Alfred A. died July 17, 1874; Carlotte Ann lives in Mitchell, South Dakota; Emma Caroline died in infancy; Matilda Belle Marshall lives in Hennessey, Oklahoma; Rosella died when sixteen years of age; George Charles lives in Independence Township, this County; John J. died when nine years old; Catharine Jemima Aillaud lives in Newton, Iowa; Carrie, wife of Mr. Caulfield of this review; R. P. Davidson, a son by a second marriage, is given a separate sketch in this volume.

To Mr. and Mrs. Caulfield three daughters have been born, namely: Vera, born October 23, 1894, will graduate from the high school at Baxter with the class of 1912; Irene, born July 8, 1912, is attending school at home; Margery, born April 25, 1903. These children were born and have been reared in this community.

Politically, Mr. Caulfield is a Republican and he is a member of the board of education at Baxter and, fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Baxter.

Mr. Caulfield is the owner of a substantial and pleasant home in Baxter, also owns one hundred and twenty acres of choice land in Independence Township, well improved and under a fine state of cultivation. Upon leaving the farm he purchased a half interest in the meat market at Baxter, in which he was engaged until three years ago, when he sold out, since which time he has been conducting a poultry and egg business. He has met with a very satisfactory degree of success in whatever he has turned his attention to.

Mrs. Caulfield's parents came to America in 1853, were married in New York, later moving to near Chicago where they made their home for eleven years. In 1868 they purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Jasper County, Iowa, which place is now owned by R. P. Davidson, mentioned above. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1206.