Charles Polk (1918)

BRACKETT, COCHRAN, POLK, SCANLING, TRUITT

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart
Date: 1/4/2008 at 16:53:10

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 12, 1918

CHARLES POLK

Charles Polk was born in Knox county, Indiana, Aug. 8, 1828. His parents were natives of Kentucky and emigrated to Indiana in pioneer times.

Mr. Polk was reared on an Indiana farm, which meant hard work and self denial. He enlisted on June 5, 1861 in the 21st Indiana Heavy Artillery and because of his gallantry and efficiency, was promoted to lieutenant and served till January 1866, or nearly one year after the war closed.

He was married to Minerva Scanling, March 23, 1871. Two years later, he came with his wife to this county, locating in Monroe township, about midway between Winterset and Macksburg. They made the trip in a covered wagon and during the first years of their residence here, they endured the hardships and enjoyed the pleasures of pioneer life.

Here the Polk family achieved much prominence in the social, political and religious life of that neighborhood, and may be said to have been leaders in all these enterprises. Mr. Polk was selected by his neighbors as their candidate for county supervisor, to which responsible place he was elected and served with distinction for a number of years.

In 1893, Mrs. Polk passed away as a result of an accident, and a few years afterward Mr. Polk removed to Winterset, where he resided till his death. He was married the second time in 1898 to Miss Savannah Truitt, who survives him, together with two daughters of the first marriage: Mrs. J. H. Cochran of this city and Mrs. J. L. Brackett of Moro, Oregon. Two brothers of the deceased reside in Indiana, There were also three sisters.

The Polk family affiliated with the Methodist church when residing in Monroe township, but after removing to Winterset, Mr. Polk united with the Baptist church of Winterset, of which church the present Mrs. Polk has been a member from early youth.

Mr. Polk's health began to fail some years ago and during the last three months it was evident that the end was approaching near. He died last Sunday, June 9th, 1918, and the funeral was held at the family residence on East Jefferson street Monday afternoon, Rev. Jackson Giddens officiating. The burial was at Macksburg, where the former Mrs. Polk was buried.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 12, 1918
Page 1, Column 1

Charles Polk Dead

After several months of infirmity away at the family residence on East Jefferson street last Sunday, June 9th. Mr. Polk was of Kentucky parentage and was born in Knox county, Indiana Aug. 23, 1838. He was reared on an Indiana farm and knew all about the toil and self-denial incident to such an experience.

In 1861, he enlisted in the 21st Indiana Heavy Artillery as a private, but soon was commissioned lieutenant and served with distinction till 1866 or in other words about one year after the war ended.

He was married in 1871 to Miss Minerva Scanling, and two years later, with his wife, came to Madison county, traversing the whole distance in a covered two horse wagon. Soon after establishing his home in Monroe township, Mr. Polk was selected by his neighbors as their candidate for county supervisor. He was nominated at the ensuing republican county convention and elected by a creditable majority. He served with efficiency for the full term of three years and thereafter, in all political and educational enterprises, he was considered a leader.

In 1893, Mrs. Polk passed away as the result of a frightful accident and shortly afterward Mr. Polk and his two daughters, left the old home. The eldest, Stella married J.H. Cochran and has lived much of the time in the old neighborhood, but for the past few years in Winterset. Mamie resides in the state of Oregon, and is the wife of Mr. J.L. Brackett. In 1896, Mr. Polk was married the second time to Miss Savannah Truitt, who survives him, together with two brothers, living in Indiana.

The funeral services were held at the home Monday, June 10th and the remains were interred at the cemetery at Macksburg by the side of his first wife. Rev. Jackson Giddens conducted the funeral ceremonies.

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