Isaiah A. Mains
Isaiah A. Mains, postmaster of Charter Oak, a position which he has filled with marked ability for six years past, is a native of Perry county, Ohio.
He was born June 18, 1853, and is a son of Thomas F. and Sarah (Hazelton) Mains, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. The father served in the Union army at the time of the Civil war, enlisting in June, 1861, in the Ninth Ohio Infantry. At the expiration of his period of enlistment he reentered the service and continued until the close of the war. He was reared a farmer and followed that occupation after returning from the army, attaining a creditable position in his chosen calling. The mother of our subject died in 1861. There were four children in their family: Isaiah A., of this review; John H., who is a business man of Stewart, Nebraska; Jane, who married James B. Wilson, of Ohio, and died at the age of forty-five; and Mary, who is the wife of C. C. Hardy, of Charter Oak. The father was married a second time in 1867, the lady of his choice being Catharine Richter, of Ohio, who is now deceased. To this union one child, Florence, was born. She is now living at New Lexington, Ohio. Mr. Mains lived to an advanced age, passing away January 14, 1908.
Isaiah A. Mains was educated in the public schools of Ohio and continued in his native state until twenty-two years of age. He then married and came to Iowa and rented land for two years in Clark county. In 1877 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Charter Oak township, Crawford county, which he cultivated until 1881, when he removed to Charter Oak and engaged for several years in the real-estate business, also giving his children advantages of education in the public schools. In 1905 he was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt as postmaster of Charter Oak and was reappointed to the position in 1910 by President Taft. His administration in the office has been satisfactory not only to the people but to the officers at Washington.
On March 3, 1875, Mr. Mains was married to Miss Katherine Adams, who was born in Ohio, February 10, 1852, and is a daughter of William and Amelia (Taylor) Adams, the father being a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. Mr. Adams died in 1883 and his wife passed away several years later. Of eight children in their family five are now living, namely: John F., of Craig, Nebraska; Katherine, now Mrs. Isaiah A. Mains; Mrs. J. H. Mains, of Stewart, Nebraska; William, of Omaha, Nebraska; and Frances, now Mrs. A. D. Fowler, of New Lexington, Ohio.
Four children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mains: William T., who was born January 23, 1876, and is a graduate of the high school and now living in Charter Oak; Harry H., who is connected with C. F. Adams & Company, of Chicago, Illinois; Charles A., now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Charter Oak; and Grace A., at home, who was graduated at the high school and spent two- years at Morningside College, studying music.
Mr. Mains and his wife are estimable members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he gives his support to the republican party and fraternally is connected with Lodge No. 543, A. F. & A. M., and Lodge No. 329, Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the Modern Woodmen of America, all of Charter Oak. The son of a valiant soldier who voluntarily offered his services to his country in her hour of danger, Mr. Mains inherited characteristics of fearlessness, energy and perseverance which have materially assisted him in his life work, to that today he is one of the acknowledged leaders in Crawford county. He is a thorough business man, a popular and efficient public official and a useful citizen, whose spirit of helpfulness is one of the leading factors in his success.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.