Cartwright, Theodore Smith 1846-1916

CARTWRIGHT, WALTERS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 1/13/2011 at 13:41:48

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; June 2, 1916

THEODORE S. CARTWRIGHT

Theodore Smith Cartwright was a native of Indiana, having been born at New Harmony, November 17, 1846. He went east when a young man and when the war broke out enlisted as a farrier in the First Massachusetts cavalry. He served throughout the war, and during the last two years saw active service.

On November 30, 1868, at Racine, Wisconsin, Mr. Cartwright took as his wife, Miss Clara Walter(s) and came to Marengo, then the western terminus of the Rock Island railroad. He worked at his trade there for a year, and the spring following moved with the new railroad to Malcom, where he went into the blacksmithing business.

In 1889 Mr. Cartwright moved to Grinnell, and for many years traveled for the Olds Wagon Company of Fort Wayne, Ind. His territory included the entire country, and he sold the factory's output for many years.

Mr. Cartwright retired from the road in 1902, and went to Hampton, where he and his son engaged in the retail lumber business. In the fall of 1904 the family moved to Marshalltown, that Mr. Cartwright might be near his Luray interests, which he had always supervised while on the road. Mrs. Cartwright died April 5, 1906 and since then Mr. Cartwright has lived with his son.

Mr. Cartwright is survived only by his son, T.C. Cartwright. Two children died in infancy, and a daughter, Carrie, a sophomore in Grinnell College, died August 3, 1890.

Mr. Cartwright was a member of the Congregational church and the Marshalltown Masonic blue lodge, chapter, and commandery. He was also a member of Kaaba temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of Davenport.

While a blacksmith at Malcom, Mr. Cartwright traded some Texas land he had acquired for about 100 acres of land near what is now the village of Luray. He accumulated surrounding tracts until he owned about 700 acres. He platted the village of Luray, and the railroad station of the Great Western is on a part of his farm.

Mr. Cartwright farmed like he did other things. He worked on a large scale. He raised corn to feed large herds of cattle and developed some of the finest beef cattle ever marketed in the Union stock yards, Chicago.

The following attended the funeral from Marshalltown: T.C. Cartwright, Mrs. Lizzie S. Norris, Mr. and Mrs. D.W. Norris, Dr. F.S. Hynds. Rev. B.F. Martin of the Marshalltown Congregational church conducted the services. The following Grinnell men acted as pallbearers: Geo. H. McMurray, A.F. Swaney, Charles Swisher, J.E. Neely, George Sampson and D.W. Brainard.