Sanford T. Golightly

FREEMAN, GOLIGHTLY, GROTH, SCHNEIDER

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 10:09:14

Agriculture is the source of a great part of the wealth of Madison county and she is justly proud of her intelligent, efficient and progressive farmers, among whom is numbered S. T. Golightly. He was born in Illinois on the 10th of October, 1867, a son of Shands and Caroline (Freeman) Golightly, the former born in Tennessee and the latter in Illinois. The father followed the occupation of farming and many years ago removed to Illinois, where he cultivated land until 1872. He then went to Kansas and bought a farm, which he operated until his death, in 1885. He had survived his wife for ten years, as she passed away in 1875.

S. T. Golightly was but five years of age when the family took up their residence in Kansas and he grew to manhood in the Sunflower state. At the usual age he entered the public schools and passed from grade to grade, acquiring an education that fitted him for the later duties of life. After putting aside his textbooks he gave his whole attention to assisting with the work of the home farm, remaining with his parents until they were called to their last rest. He then hired out to others as a farm hand and was so occupied until he was twenty-eight years of age. He then removed to Polk county, Iowa, where he farmed for one year. In 1896 he arrived in Madison county and for five years he rented land, carefully saving as much as possible from his yearly income, as he wished to become a landowner. At the end of that time his ambition was realized and he purchased his father-in-law's farm in Polk county, but after operating that place for one year he sold it and returned to Madison county, buying land in Jackson township. He followed agricultural pursuits there until 1911, when he sold out and purchased land in Union township. Three years later he sold that place and in March, 1914, became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 10, 11, 14 and 15, Madison township, the buildings being on section 10. His farm is one of the best developed and most completely equipped places in the county, and he is not only maintaining its high standards, but also adding still further improvements. His activities are not confined to the cultivation of the fields, as he raises and feeds three hundred head of hogs and sheep per year, finding his agricultural interests especially profitable.

Mr. Golightly and Miss Minnie Groth were married on the 28th of May, 1805. She is a daughter of Harder and Caroline (Schneider) Groth, both natives of Germany, whence they emigrated to America. For the first three years after her father's arrival in this country he lived at Davenport, Iowa, and then removed to Polk county, where he purchased land, which he operated during the remainder of 'his life. He passed away in 1902, having survived his wife since 1900. She had located in Des Moines on coming to this country. Mr. and Mrs. Golightly have seven children, namely: Eva, who is attending Earlham Academy; John, likewise a student in that school; Jerome, attending the district schools; Elma, Lloyd and Albert, all attending school; and Erma, who completes the family.

Mr. Golightly exercises his right of franchise in support of the candidates and policies of the republican party, being fully convinced of the soundness of its principles. He is a valued member of the local Methodist Episcopal church and can be counted upon to further its work in any way possible. The success that he has achieved in his chosen occupation is the result of his industry, foresight and progressiveness, qualities which anyone may emulate and which invariably bring their reward.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”