BOYD DICKERSON McCAULEY

 

     A valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres in Jackson township, Lucas county, gives evidence of the incessant labors and ability along the line of agricultural work of Boyd Dickerson McCauley, who is numbered among the most prosperous farmers of his locality.  Born in Lee county, Virginia, on March 18, 1861, he is a son of George and Mary Ann (Martin) McCauley, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England.  The father was killed during the Civil war, in 1865, at Richmond, Virginia, while serving in Lee’s army.  The mother also died in Virginia at the age of seventy-two.  She was a member of the famous Martin family of that state, one of the present United States senators from Virginia being a member of the family.  Mr. and Mrs. McCauley were the parents of five children, as follows:  James, deceased; Albert, deceased; Wesley, deceased; Boyd Dickerson; and Mrs. Lenora Miles, who resides on the home farm in the Old Dominion.

     The larger part of his education Mr. McCauley received in his native state but at the age of fourteen moved westward and settled at Derby, Lucas county, Iowa, remaining there until 1880, when he removed to Jackson township, of which he has since been a resident.  Taking up agricultural pursuits as his life work, he has by progressive and modern methods succeeded in developing one of the valuable farms of his locality, on which he engages in general farming pursuits and stock-raising, gratifying results attending both lines of labor.  His farm is situated on sections 19 and 32, Jackson township, and good improvements have been placed upon it by Mr. McCauley.  Such equipment as is considered indispensable to modern agriculture can be found upon the place and the standards which are followed by the owner may be set up as examples for others to follow.  The family residence is substantially built, comfortable and conveniently equipped.

     On October 5, 1886, Mr. McCauley was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jane Walker, a native of Jackson township, where she was born on February 18, 1860.  There she grew to womanhood, and has always since made her residence.  Her parents were among the early pioneers of Lucas county, making their home here in the spring of 1859.  Her father, James L. Walker, was born in Scotland and died in Jackson township in 1880, at the age of sixty years, the mother also passing away in that township on March 21, 1912.  Before her marriage she was Mary Stevenson and was born in Ohio on August 31, 1824.  In their family were four children:  Mrs. McCauley, the wife of our subject; James A., born May 12, 1861, residing on the old Walker family homestead in Jackson township; and two who died in infancy.  Mr. and Mrs. McCauley are the parents of three children:  Grover Wesley, born July 4, 1888, residing at Lakota, Iowa; Mary Ann, born October 21, 1890, who makes her home with her parents; and James Horace, born December 7, 1892, also residing at home.  All of the children attended common school.

     Mr. McCauley gives his allegiance to the democratic party, taking a public-spirited interest in all matters that affect his community, although he has never cares to participate in political life.  The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, both Mr. and Mrs. McCauley being members of that organization in Lucas.  Fraternally Mr. McCauley is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.  His career is proof of the fact that ambition, united with industry and energy, leads to success, and he is highly regarded and esteemed by all who know him for what he has accomplished and for those qualities of his character which have made possible his prosperity.

 

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