For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 472
CHARLES STALEY....Men of fidelity to principle who by the use of natural talents make a creditable record in the business or industrial world are worthy of the sincere respect of their associates. Their life from day to day is a constant incentive to others and it would be impossible to estimate the good they do by the simple force of example. Charles Staley, a prominent citizen of Goshen twonship, whose name introduces this sketch, should be classed with those here indicated. Born in Pennsylvania, May 28, 1862, he is the son of Jacob and Catherine E. ( Keeler ) Staley, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state and were born in Columbia county. They were married in their native county and the father engaged in farming in Pennsylvania until 1870, when he came to Iowa. In 1872, he removed to a farm in Illinois, which he cultivated until his retirement from active labor in 1896. He spent the later years of his life at Joy, Illinois, being called away December 7, 1904. The mother departed two years later , on July 3, 1906. Mr. Staley was quite successful as a farmer, becoming the owner of a well improved place of one hundred and ninety acres in Mercer county, Illinois. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company D, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Five Forks, the ball lodging in his hip and remaining there throughout his life. There were seven children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Staley, namely : Rosa Jane, now Mrs. Curtis Small of Joy, Illinois ; Charles, the subject of this review ; Sherman and Harvey, both of whom died in Mercer county, Illinois ; Julia Ann, now deceased ; William, who was born in Muscatine county and is now living at Atalissa ; and Roy, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, and is now living in Oklahoma.Charles Staley came west with his parents at eight years of age and attended the district schools, where he attained the rudiments of an education, which has been of constant practical use to him in his business career. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age and then began farming upon his own account by renting land. At the end of four years he purchased in 1893 one hundred and twenty acres of land in Goshen township, and as time passed he added more land to his original holding until at the present time he is the owner of a beautiful farm of three hundred and eighty-six acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation except that portion which he reserves for pasturage. He handles stock on a large scale and he is a good judge of animals, especially those of standard grades, he generally receives a satisfactory price for what he has to sell. No more prosperous farmer is to be found in the township than Mr. Staley.
On the 16th of December, !886, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Beggs, who was born in Wisconsin, March 30, 1865, a daughter of Hugh and Matilda ( Frankenfield ) Beggs, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were married in Wisconsin and lived in Illinois until 1892, when they came to Muscatine county and settled on a farm in Goshen twonship. Mr. Beggs is now the owner of a valuable place comprising eighty acres. There are four children in his family : Sarah, now Mrs. Staley ; Etta, who became the wife of William Minteer and is now deceased ; Mary, now Mrs. Benjamin Meeks, living on the old homestead ; and Emma , the wife of Granville Flater, of Atalissa. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs Staley : Archie H., born August 13, 1888, who received a common-school education and is now living with his parents ; Louis F., who was born September 28, 1889 ; Floyd E., born March 31, 1895 ; Theresa C., born November 9, 1900 ; and Leota M., born April 5, 1910, all of whom are living at home.
Mr. Staley has not given much time to politics and the allurements of office have never had for him any special attraction. He and his family, however, are interested in religious affairs and are active members of the Methodist church. By a life of practical industry he has won a good name which is more to be preferred than riches and at the same time has demonstrated that high character and success in business may go hand in hand.
Back to Biographical Index Page