Heacock, C. C.

HEACOCK, GASKILL, DAVIS

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 5/25/2021 at 15:07:33

Charles C. Heacock, editor and proprietor of the Brighton Enterprise, was born near Marlboro, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1851, and is the son of Joel and Huldah (Gaskill) Heacock, to whom were born ten children, nine sons and one daughter, of whom our subject was the third in order of birth. Of the ten children only five are now living – Charles C., Leona S., William P., Daniel G., and Nate A. The parents were both natives of Ohio, the father being a farmer, manufacturer and inventor. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools, and at Mt. Union (Ohio) College. At the age of sixteen he commenced traveling in the interest of his father’s inventions, and visited most of the States of the Union in that work during the next seven years, traveling in the winter season and attending school in the summer time. In this work he obtained a knowledge of men and measures that has served him well in after life, broadening his views, making him more cosmopolitan. On the 6th of October, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Davis, at Atwater, Ohio, the next day coming with his young bride to Iowa, locating in Brighton, Washington County, where they have since continued to reside. Of this union four children have been born, all of whom are now living, viz; Mary, Guy, Irene and Vern.

In 1879 Mr. Heacock bought out the office of the Brighton Sun, and for the next twenty months engaged in the publication of the Greenback World. This enterprise was not a financial success, and he suspended the publication of the paper after the election of 1880. In February, 1882, Brighton being without a local paper Mr. Heacock started the Enterprise, as an independent local newspaper, which he has continued to publish until the present time, and which the paper is printed is one of the most complete newspaper and job offices in Southeastern Iowa.

Mr. Heacock was an original and active Greenbacker, and was quite active in the Greenback organization, helping to roll up a Greenback vote in Brighton of ninety-seven for Peter Cooper for President in 1876. For several years he stumped the county every season, until the Greenback party polled more votes in the county than the Democrats. He was a member of the Greenback State Central Committee, and by his wise counsels did much to advance the cause.

The prohibition cause has found in Mr. Heacock and earnest advocate, prohibition being the only political measure that has been advocated by the Enterprise. As a citizen he has ever been ready to advocate any measure that will advance the interests of his adopted city and county.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Charles C. Heacock, pages 530-531.