CARY, Philip - 1912 Bio (1842-1915)

CARY, WALLACE, MICHMER, CISSNA, FRYE, RONLEY

Posted By: Debbie Nash - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/11/2005 at 17:18:50

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II, Pages 193-195

PHILIP CARY

“While there are residents of Jefferson county who have taken a more active part in the political activities of the county or have sought to exert a wider influence in fraternal circles, there is perhaps no resident of the county that has a more extensive local acquaintance or in a larger measure merits the high regard of those with whom he has had business dealings than Philip CARY. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, July 19, 1842, his parents being William and Mary (WALLACE) CARY, both of whom were natives of France and in their childhood days were brought by their respective parents to America; each family establishing its home in Ohio. Mrs. CARY was the first woman to graduate in medicine in the United States, completing a course in Athens College about 1850. She was a second cousin of General Lew WALLACE. Her whole life was spent in Ohio after coming to the new world; and, for a few years, she engaged actively in the practice of medicine. William CARY was a man of scholarly attainments. In his younger days he engaged in teaching, but, later, took up the occupation of farming. He remained a resident of Ohio until his death, which occurred when he was about sixty years of age. In the family were eleven children, five of whom reached mature years: James, now deceased; Angeline, who has also passed away; Elizabeth, who is the widow of John MICHMER, of Morgan county, Ohio; Philip; and Albert, who is living in Wisconsin. He was married but lost his wife.

Philip CARY was a resident of his native county until he reached the age of five years, after which the family removed to Pike county, that state. Here the subject of this sketch was living at the time of his enlistment for service in the Civil war, in July, 1861. He was assigned to duty first to Company I and then with Company C, Fifty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; and served for three years, after which he veteranized, remaining with his command until April 26, 1866, when he was honorably discharged at New Orleans. He acted as orderly for General Sherman and was detailed for service as his clerk. In this way, Mr. CARY became intimately acquainted with that noted military commander, for whom he carried hundreds of messages and took many midnight rides. He was known as the “temperance boy” of his division for though, in the discharge of his duties, he measured out whiskey to the boys he never tasted a drop. He was on detached duty at New Orleans for six months, in 1865, acting as turnkey of the police station in that city, during which time one hundred and fifty desperate criminals were under his charge and never a one escaped. They were conveyed by him to various places; and, at the end of the half-year, our subject was transferred to the ladies’ prison, of which he had charge for some time. He twice served as judge of regimental elections; he also saw much active duty on the field of battle, participating in ten regular engagements and four skirmishes. He declined promotion, although he was told, frequently, by General Sherman and General Phil Sheridan that he should have a commission.

When the war was over, Mr. CARY returned to Ohio and in 1872, came to Iowa, settling first in Keokuk county, whence in 1892, he came to Jefferson county. All through the years he has been engaged in market gardening; and it is this line which has made him so well known throughout Fairfield, where he is called the “Vegetable Man.” For thirty-five years he has engaged in selling fresh vegetables and fruit of his own raising to the housewives of this vicinity; and, for thirty-five years, he has used the same delivery wagon. His record book indicates that he has in this way traveled over three hundred and fifty thousand miles. The produce which he sells is always fresh and of excellent quality; and he has no difficulty in securing patrons, because of the excellence of the goods which he handles and his reasonable prices and honorable dealing.

While a soldier in the Civil war, Mr. CARY returned home on a furlough. In 1864, he was married to Miss Mary A. CISSNA, who was born in Pike county, Ohio, in 1841, a daughter of David CISSNA of that county, where her marriage took place. Unto this union have been born seven children: Alonzo B., now living in Sigourney, Iowa; Luella, the wife of E. S. FRYE, of Burlington, Kansas; Fannie May, the wife of Truman RONLEY, of Fairfield; Charles, of this city; Rosa, who was a very precocious child but died at the age of seven years; and twin daughters who died in infancy.

Soon after the close of the war, Mr. CARY began to preach in the Baptist church; and, while living in Pike county, Ohio, he erected a house of worship to be used jointly by the Baptists, the United Brethren and the Methodist Episcopal people in that locality. His life has always conformed to his teachings, and there has been nothing narrow in his views. He believes that each individual has a right to hold to his own religious opinions. In politics, our subject was for many years a republican, but his views on the temperance question led him to become identified with the prohibition party and he is now its secretary in Jefferson county. Mr. CARY has been elected for twenty-nine consecutive years as officer of the day in the Grand Army of the Republic, acting for ten years in Sigourney, Iowa, and for twenty years in Litchfield. He has written many poems and pieces of music, which have been published. Nearly all of these productions are permeated by a strong patriotic strain, breathing a spirit of loyalty to the country. Progress and patriotism constitute the keynote of Mr. CARY’s character; his position is never an equivocal one, for it is known that his influence is always to be found on the side of right and improvement.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.