Stacy, Selden H.

STACY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 17:53:48

SELDEN H. STACY
born Dec 17, 1844, Ohio

History of Warren County, Iowa; Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns & Etc., by Union Historical Company, 1879, p.618
STACY, SELDEN H., farmer, Squaw Township, Sec. 22; P. O. Madora; was born December 17, 1845, in Washington county, Ohio; came to this county with parents in fall of 1857; enlisted in Co. B, 18th Iowa Infantry; served as private till close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, and he returned to his home, where he has since resided.

S. H. Stacy, an honored veteran of the late war and a pioneer settler of Warren county, has made his home in Squaw township since 1858. He is a native of Washington county, Ohio, born December 17, 1844, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His great-grandfather, Colonel William Stacy, aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence, and from the Government, received a grant of land in Washington county, Ohio, where he developed a farm and spent his remaining days. The grandfather of our subject was Captain Joseph Stacy, who won his title in the militia. He too spent the greater part of his life in Washington county, on the old family homestead which was granted the Revolutionary ancestor and which is still in possession of the family. The father of our subject, Gideon Stacy, was born thereon in the year 1824, and on leaving the place of his nativity removed to Wyandot county, Ohio, where he continued for eleven years. In 1857 he resolved to seek a home and fortune beyond the Mississippi and chose Warren county, Iowa, as the scene of his future labors. Making his way to Liberty township, he entered 120 acres of land on section 34, and began the development of a farm. The timber cut from his place was taken to the Reid mill, sawed into lumber, kiln-dried at Liberty, and used in the erection of a house, 18x24 feet, in the fall of 1857. The family went through all the experiences and hardships of pioneer life, and aided in opening up this region to civilization. Mr Stacy was united in marriage with Miss Asenath H. Hayes, who was born in New York, in 1825. For many years they traveled life's journey together, and were faithful and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. The former passed away in March, 1875, and the latter in August, 1893. They were laid to rest in Liberty cemetery, of Clarke county, Iowa, where a monument marks their place of interment. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the second. The eldest, Edward P., enlisted in Clarke county (being credited to Warren county) in Company B, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and rendezvoused at Clinton, and continued at the front until July, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at Little Rock, Arkansas. He received his pay at Davenport and then returned to his home, being a resident farmer of Squaw township, Warren county. Wesley H. and Eugene S. are both agriculturists of Squaw township. Lucy died at the age of fourteen years and Sarah at the age of six. The father of this family was an old- line Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he became one of its staunch supporters, although he was never an office seeker. There were only six Republican votes cast in Squaw township when he first supported the men and measures of that party. The subject of this review, through the days of his youth, aided in the arduous task of developing the new farm on the frontier. To transform wild land into rich fields is no easy labor; but the father and sons worked together and in due course of time the prairie was made to bloom and blossom as the rose. In the winter time he pursued his studies in a log school-house, where there was an attendance of not more than twenty pupils. He enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, in December, 1863, for when the safety of his country was imperiled he could not remain quietly at home. Accordingly he enlisted at Indianola, and went at once to the front, where he participated in the engagements at Moscow, Prairie De Ann, Poison Springs and Jenkins’ Ferry. He was wounded at Poison Springs, April 18, 1864, in the right forearm, the ball passing completely through that member and entirely shattering one bone. For five months he was unfit for duty, and has never fully recovered from the injury. He was discharged with his regiment at the close of the war, and when his services were no longer needed returned to his home. In connection with his brothers, Mr. Stacy operates three tracts of land of 160, 120, and 80 acres, and is a progressive agriculturist. He has ever been a staunch Republican in politics, and has served as Justice of the Peace and Constable. Socially he is connected with the Indianola Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.440