SAMUEL A. HANDLEY

Samuel A. Handley, a progressive and successful agriculturist of Cedar county, has for several years carried on general farming and stock-raising in Inland and Springfield townships. His birth occurred in this county on the 6th of March, 1862, and he is a son of Samuel and Nancy R. (Foster) Handley, the father having been born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, January 27, 1820, and the mother in Nicholas county, that state, on the 12th of August, 1822. In 1857 the elder Samuel Handley arrived in Cedar county and here purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, to which he later added one hundred and twenty acres, becoming the owner in all of two hundred and seventy acres. He continued to make his home upon that place during the remainder of his life and was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred on the 21st of December, 1893, surviving his wife but five days, as her death occurred December 16, 1893. Their family consisted on nine children but only six are now living: Calvin I., Elizabeth R., Richard G., George W., Samuel A. and Sarah A. The deceased are John F., Mary J. and Hannah C.

Reared on the home farm, Samuel A. Handley acquired his early education in the district schools of Cedar county and later enjoyed the benefit of a year’s study at Wilton Academy. He was also a student for a year at the Iowa Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa. Upon laying aside his text-books he returned home and during the summer months assisted his father in the work of the farm. The winter seasons, however, were devoted to teaching in the schools of Cedar county, and his time was thus occupied for four terms, during which time he proved himself a most efficient and capable instructor, readily imparting to others the knowledge he had acquired. At the death of his father he purchased the interests of the other heirs and when the estate was settled became sole owner of the old homestead. He has since devoted his entire time to agricultural pursuits and in connection with tilling the soil engages to considerable extent in the raising of stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs and shorthorn cattle. He studies the best methods of caring for his stock, raises good grades and is thus enabled to demand high prices on the market. He has also added to his property holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred and ten acres in Cedar county, one hundred and sixty acres of which lie in Springfield township and one hundred and fifty acres in Inland township. With an aptitude for successful management, he has so directed his affairs that most gratifying results have followed and today he ranks among the progressive agriculturists of Inland township.

On the 29th of November, 1899, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Handley and Miss Martha Standusky, a daughter of Jacob and Antonia (Golden) Standusky, of Jones county, Iowa. Unto this union were born three children, Agnes Victoria, Mabel Eva and Ethel Grace.

The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Bennett and their many excellent traits of character have won them the regard and esteem of a large circle of friends. In politics Mr. Handley supports the democratic party, to which he has given stalwart allegiance since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and for one term he served as county surveyor. The creditable position which he has attained in agricultural circles in Inland township entitles him to rank among the substantial farmers of this locality, but he is no less worthy of the regard of his fellowmen because of his loyalty to upright manhood, to high principles and to honorable dealings—qualities which ever speak for good citizenship in any community.