STACY, LUTE A.

STACY, TAYLOR, STINSON, BASSET, STURZBACH, WATERHOUSE

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/22/2003 at 20:43:24

Biography reproduced from page 575 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Lute A. Stacy is the owner of a large nursery, in which he makes a specialty of fruit trees. His is a successful business, owing to the capable management of the owner, who is one of Algona’s native sons, having been born here in 1874. His parents were Jerome and Harriet (Taylor) Stacy. The father was born at Centerville, New York, October 14, 1829, and acquired a good education in a seminary of his native county. He was a young man when he began teaching school, which he followed for some time. In the ‘50s he came west, remaining in eastern Iowa until 1856, when he removed to Algona. He then took up a preemption claim near the town and continued to develop and improve the property, at the same time devoting some attention to the handling of real estate. He came soon to be regarded as an enterprising, progressive and reliable business man and his fellow townsmen, appreciating his worth and ability, also called him to a number of local offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. In 1858 he was elected county clerk of the courts and served for four years, while in 1862 he was chosen for the dual office of county treasurer and collector. In 1864 those offices were separated and he became county treasurer. He was also county clerk of four years, was county judge for two years, county treasurer for eight years and recorder for five years. He likewise served for two terms as mayor and for several terms as councilman, and every duty devolving upon him in these connections was faithfully and promptly executed. He identified himself with the anti-saloon element in city politics and he made a remarkable record as a county and city official, never swerving from the side of law and order. At the same time he remained an active and potent force in business circles, contributing largely to the substantial upbuilding of his district. He erected Algona’s first flourmill and operated it for thirty years, while for two decades he was agent for the American Emigrant Association and for thirty years was proprietor of the Algona Nurseries. He continued in active connection with the American Emigrant Land Company of New York city to the time of his death in 1904.

On the 12th day of April, 1862, Jerome Stacy was united in marriage to Miss Harriet E. Taylor, a daughter of the Rev. Chauncey Taylor, who came to Algona in 1856 and organized the Congregational church here. The following year Mrs. Stacy arrived in Algona where she still resides, but Mr. Stacy passed away on the 16th of December, 1904, the county thereby losing one of its most valued and highly esteemed citizens. In their family were four sons and three daughters, of whom three daughters and two sons are yet living, as follows: Mrs. Charles Stinson, of Minneapolis; Mrs. L. L. Basset, of Sheldon, Iowa; Mrs. Winnie Sturzbach, of Algona; James Stacy, of Milford, Iowa; and L. A. Stacy, of Algona.

Lute A. Stacy is indebted to the public-school system of Algona for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and also to Dixon College of Dixon, Illinois, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. He then returned to Algona and took over the nursery business of his father, which he has since conducted. The nursery comprises eighty acres, splendidly equipped according to modern methods. While he handles general nursery stock he makes a specialty of fruit trees and his business is one of large and growing proportions, his shipments covering a wide territory. He pays the utmost care in sending out stock in excellent condition and a remarkably large percentage of his shipments are received in splendid condition, the plants and trees growing readily.

In 1899 Mr. Stacy was married to Miss Caddie Waterhouse, a daughter of F. W. Waterhouse, of Algona, who was one of the early residents here and still makes his home in this city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stacy are widely and favorably known here and have an extensive circle of warm friends. He belongs to Algona Camp, M. W. A., and also to the Knights of Pythias lodge. A lifelong resident of the city, he is widely known and that his course has ever been commendable is indicated by the fact that his staunchest friends are among those who have known him from his boyhood.