Charles Eugene Southworth

CRAWFORD, ROWE, SMITH, SOUTHWORTH

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 6/29/2006 at 09:21:22

C E. Southworth is the owner of a well improved farm property in Grand River township within the city limits of Macksburg. He is well known in connection with the live-stock industry, making a specialty of raising pure bred registered Poland China hogs. The district in which he lives knows him as an enterprising, wide awake and alert business man.

Mr Southworth was born near Bloomington, Illinois, on the 19th of April, 1866, a son of Gillet and Adeline (Smith) Southworth, both deceased. He was taken to Iowa in early childhood and when but four years of age went to live in the home of Ransom Moon, one of the early settlers of Grand River township. He was reared to farm life with the usual experiences of the lad who devotes his time to the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. When nineteen years of age he began working as a farm hand by the month for Jerry Wilson, but was ambitious to engage in business on his own account, and as soon as possible began farming for himself. Five years ago he sold one hundred and sixty acres of land in Grand River township and purchased his present farm of forty-seven acres within the city limits of Macksburg He has since resided upon this place, on which is a comfortable residence. It was the only building upon the place when Mr. Southworth purchased the property since which time he has added other improvements. He makes a specialty of raising pure bred registered Poland China hogs and each year holds a sale, which is attended by people coming from considerable distances as well as those nearby. He raises quite a goodly amount of fruit and both he and his wife are most energetic, industrious people, owing their success entirely to their own well directed efforts.

On the 15th of August, 1891, Mr. Southworth was married to Miss Mamie L. Rowe, who was born in Davis county, Iowa, August 18, 1873, a daughter of Henry Rowe. They have become the parents of two children, Bonnie and Henry R., the latter yet at home. The former is the wife of Gardner Crawford, a farmer of Grand River township, and they have three children, Beulah, Jim and Elizabeth.

Mr. Southworth has filled the office of assessor of the village of Macksburg for five years and is actively interested in the welfare of the community, cooperating in various plans for the public good. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is loyal to its teachings and purposes. Almost his entire life has been passed in Iowa and the greater part of it in Madison county, where he is now widely and favorably known.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.