Canaday, Wilson A.

CANADAY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 14:06:35

WILSON A. CANADAY
born Feb 10, 1859, Iowa

Wilson A. Canaday, - Among the broadminded enterprising and progressive citizens of Warren county ,this gentleman is numbered, and we take pleasure in presenting the record of his life to our readers. He is one of Iowa's native sons, for his birth occurred in Marion county, on the 10th of February 1859. He comes from one of the old Southern families, his grandfather, David Canaday, having been a native of South Carolina, although his life was largely passed in Indiana, where he removed at an early day, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that State. He was one of the rugged, enterprising men of that frontier region, and for many years did a successful business as a horse dealer, purchasing horses in the South which he sold in Indiana. There his death occurred at the age of sixty years. David Canaday, father of our subject, was born in Montgomery county, Indiana in the year 1812, and resided in his native State until thirty years of age. In 1842 was consummated his marriage with Miss Eliza Brown, who is descended from old Kentucky ancestry, her people having been pioneer settlers of that State. Soon after their marriage David Canaday brought his bride to Iowa, locating in Marion county. He cast in his lot with its early settlers, for at that time it was a wild and undeveloped region, the prairies dotted with few homes, while many of the now flourishing towns and villages had not then sprung into existence. He pre-empted a claim and continued the cultivation of his land until 1865, when he removed to Warren county, locating near Watts’ old mill, spending his remaining days upon his farm. He was a man of liberal ideas, of progressive methods and always kept up with the progress of the times. For many years he was extensively and successfully engaged in stock-raising. He was at one time the owner of some of the finest Durham cattle to be found in the country, and was a firm believer in the superiority of this breed. He was one of the first stock dealers of this region to interest himself in the improvement of heavy draft horses, and did much toward raising the grade of stock. His business career was a straightforward and honorable one, and his thorough reliability won him the confidence and respect of all who knew him. In politics he was a Republican, but not strongly partisan. He died in 1878, at the age of sixty-six years, but his widow is still living. They were the parents of three children, - Wilson A., George G., and Ida, wife of Cassius Persons, of Warren county.
Wilson A. Canaday, whose name introduces this sketch, spent the first early years of his life in the county of his nativity, and has since resided in Warren county. At the age of nineteen he started out in life for himself, and throughout the greater part of his business career, has followed farming and stock raising. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Lucy Parsons, the wedding being celebrated December 12, 1878. The lady is one of the four children of George C. and Catherine (Schults) Parsons, her brothers being George W. and William, both farmers of Richland township, Warren county. Her father was born in Virginia in 1819, and his wife was a native of Miami count,y Ohio. They emigrated to Iowa in 1854, taking up their residence in Richland township, where Mr. Parsons carried on agricultural pursuits until his death in 1865. To Mr. and Mrs. Canaday have been born six children, namely: Daisy M., Gracie E., Fred Wesley, Bessie M., George D., and Amanda E.
In 1880 Mr Canaday located on the farm where he now resides, comprising 235 acres of rich land on section 27, Palmyra township. He is known as one of the leading stock dealers of this locality, raising cattle, horses, and hogs on an extensive scale. His business interests being well conducted and carefully managed yield to him a handsome income. He is a man of strong convictions, a stalwart supporter of the Republican party, and is now serving his second term as a member of the Township Board of Trustees. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, deeply interested in the improvement of the schools, and for several years he has acted as president of the School Board, which position he yet occupies.
Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.293