Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 717
CHARLES J. CUTLER

The late Charles J. CUTLER was one of the pioneer business men of Modale, Harrison county, Iowa, and during a long and useful career endeared himself to every one with whom he was associated. Coming to this county in 1866, he was engaged in business in Modale from 1874 until his death in 1910. The business which he established is now in charge of his widow and eldest son, and is the oldest established business in Modale. Mr. CUTLER was one of the most public-spirited citizens of his community and always manifested a worthy zeal, not only toward material things, but also toward religion and education. The churches of Modale were all helped by him during his life time, and many were the little acts of kindness which he performed during his busy career. He left a name which always will be cherished by his children and honored by those who knew him.

Charles J. CUTLER was born April 10, 1842, in Erie, Pennsylvania, and died in Modale, Harrison county, Iowa, January 3, 1910. He was a son of Luke H. and Axiena (BARBER) CUTLER, natives of New York state, of English descent.

When he was fourteen years of age the family moved to Cass county, Nebraska, where Mr. CUTLER lived until the fall of 1866. He had been married three years previously, and in that year he and his young wife came to Harrison county and started a store in the Missouri bottoms for the benefit of the men who were getting out timber for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, then being built across the county. They operated their little store for about a year and a half, and then rented a farm for two years. In 1869 Mr. CUTLER bought a farm on which he lived until 1874. He then disposed of his farm, moved to Modale and engaged in the general merchandise business. He built an addition to the building which had been erected by William MARTIN and there he conducted his general store until 1886, in which year he sold his store and moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, where he took up a timber claim, living there until September, 1888, at which time he proved up his claim. He then came back to Modale and started a grocery store, later adding a line of shoes and gents' furnishing goods, and continued in active business in Modale until his death. Mr. CUTLER was one of the most successful business men of his day in the town of Modale, and was always in favor of public improvement of all kinds. Since his death his widow has been active manager of the store in partnership with her son, Mark. They also are stockholders in the Inter-State Telephone Company, being charter members of the company.

Charles J. CUTLER was postmaster of Modale for ten years, mayor for six years and held numerous minor offices. He was a life-long Republican and always was interested in the welfare of his party. He was one of the charter members of the Odd Fellow and Masonic lodges in Modale, and was secretary of the former lodge for many years. He and his wife also were charter members of the Order of Eastern Star. While not an active church member he was an enthusiastic supporter of the churches of Modale and gave freely of his means to the support of all denominations in the town. In all respects he was an ideal American citizen, a faithful and devoted husband and father, a successful business man and always was interested in the welfare of those about him.

On November 19, 1863, Charles J. CUTLER was united in marriage with Susan TOWNER, who was born April 11, 1846, in Bates county, Missouri, a daughter of Abram and Hester (VOUK) TOWNER, natives of Bradford county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. CUTLER's parents moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio and later to Illinois, and finally to Missouri. When Mrs. CUTLER was a small girl her parents located in Page county, Iowa. They lived there a short time and then moved to Mills county, in the same state, and subsequently to Cass county, Nebraska.

To Charles J. and Susan (TOWNER) CUTLERr were born six children, two of whom died in infancy. The four living children are Anna A., Mark H., Nettie M. and Hugh T. Anna married C. L. BEEBE and lives in Woodbine, in this county. She has three children living, Vesta, Edna and Henry, and one, Helen, who died when she was eight years of age. Mark H. is now in charge of the store in Modale, which he operates in connection with his mother. Nettie M. married Thomas T. BOURNE, and lives two miles northwest of Modale. She has no children living. Hugh T., who married Lea MANDELBERN, is paying teller in the United States National Bank of Omaha.

Sufficient has been said to indicate the interesting career of Mr. CUTLER. For more than forty years he was a prominent factor in the life of his community in this county, and it can be truthfully said of him that his influence always was cast for better things. He was kindly disposed towards those less fortunate than himself and in all respects lived up to those high ideals which are always associated with the true American citizen.

Return to 1915 Biographical C Surnames Index

Back to 1915 Biographies Index