The Stacys were not the first settlers of the town. That honor belongs to Adam Blake and Nicholas Hoeman, who pre-empted land two miles north of Stacyville in May, 1855. The Stacys were, however, very influential and instrumental in the development of the fledgling settlement.
In the summer of 1855, Fitch B. Stacy, then residing in Chicago, with two eastern friends, started to Iowa to buy wild land. On the way they stopped at H.I. Stacy's, in Bureau Co., Ill. The latter joined the party and all went west overland to Rock Island. One horse becoming lame at that point, H.I. Stacy returned home and the others went up the Mississippi to Dubuque. Finding the land offices closed they returned without accomplishing their intended object. The following November, H.I. Stacy, having the Iowa fever strong upon him, persuaded Fitch B. Stacy to provide the means to purchase 4,000 acres of land on joint account, which was done in December, 1955. The land was purchased from the government and individuals where Stacyville now stands. For $3000, the brothers purchased 600 acres of land on the Little Cedar river from John McIntire. Mr. McIntire had purchase the land from the government for $1.25 per acre shortly before the sale. Mr. Stacy and his brother acquired 1,500 acres more including the present site of Stacyville. With his family he spent the winter of 1855-6 at Mitchell, and the following spring platted Stacyville. In February, 1856, H.I. Stacy moved into the county with his family, and the same year, in the month of June, he built a house and store, also platted the village of Stacyville. Stacy sold goods from the store and operated an extensive farm. In 1857, he was appointed to locate the swamp lands. From 1873 to 1883 he was essentially retired due to impaired health.
In July, Rev. W.L. Coleman, J.H.Beebe, and a few other Christian families, came to the town to locate permanently. Homer J. and Amelia L. Stacy are listed as members of the Congregational Church of Stacyville. In August a post office was established, and the sawmill commenced. The only settlers of 1855 were : Adam Blake, Nicholas Hoeman, H.I. Stacy and G.S. Johnson.
The following comprises the greater portion of those who came in during 1856: Matt Hoeman, J.P. Emery, Dr. B.F. Rolfe, Charles Rolfe, Charles Fitch, W. H. Dyer, M.McCall, Daniel Hill, A.E. Donaldson and Martin Decker. Among the settlers of 1857 were: Stephen Heimer, John Shumaker, Jacob Shumaker, Matthew Shumaker, Simon Wiengert, J.C. Pelton, E. H. Donaldson and John Parlin.
Stacyville township was organized in 1856, and at that time embraced part of the territory now known as Liberty and Union townships. Among the first township officers were: H.I. Stacy, justice of the peace, and D. Kelly, constable. The first store was opened in 1856 by H.I. Stacy.
In 1857 the Stacy Bros. donated twenty-five acres of land adjoining the village for an academy; but failing to establish the same, the land reverted back to them and was then donated to the Stacyville independent school district,In 1883, there were four school districts in the township, each provided with a building, plus the high school building at Stacyville.
The village of Stacyville is situated on Section 31 of Stacyville township, on the west bank of the Little Cedar River. It is about twelve miles north of Osage, and five miles from the north line of the State. The village was platted in June, 1856, by H.I. Stacy, and a year later an addition of twenty acres was made and recorded as "Townsley & Dyers addition." These plats, with a small addition about the same time by Mr. Stacy, comprise the village site. Daniel Hill ran the first hotel in a building built by H.I. Stacy. Henry Schieu operated the first drug store
Like many other places on the Little Cedar River, Stacyville, from early on took advantage of its milling advantages. The first improvements were made in 1856, when the Stacy Bros., in company with the Rolfe Bros. built a small mill. H.I. Stacy was connected with it for about ten years and sold it to David Palton and he to H. J. Ackres. In 1882, George Wall purchased the property, and at once rebuilt the mill, putting in machinery for the roller process. Return to Top of Page
Homer I. Stacy was born in DeKalb, St. Lawrence Co., NY on January 9th, 1820. The first nine years of his life was lived in relative ease and comfort. After three years of illness, his father became an invalid for life. Homer, was the oldest son of six children, and, from the time he was 9 years old, until he was 22, he saw many hardships and challenges. He did farm work and secured firewood up until he was 12. The next ten years he managed to get about two months' schooling each winter. He had always dreamed of securing a full, liberal education and his dream commenced at the age of 22 when he enrolled at Governeur Wesleyan Seminary, spending two years there and at teaching.
In the fall of 1843 he started by way of the St. Lawrence River and the lakes for Cleveland, Ohio after he arrived but with fifty cents in his pocket. He remained in Ohio, teaching and clerking, until February, 1845, when he and two friends made an overland trip to Chicago. After traveling about and working at haying and harvesting a few weeks, he finally stopped at Dover, Bureau Co., Illinois where he was taken sick of fever. He did recover and spent the next ten years there after establishing a store, lumber yard and a farm. In the fall of 1855 he embarked on a prospecting expedition after selling his interests in Illinois. The expedition took him to Rock Island, from there to Dubuque, visiting Waterloo and Cedar Falls, then returning to Dubuque, he went to McGregor, and thence went to Mitchell County, where he located the land he was to buy and develop. Return to Top of Page
Account of Homer Stacy from History of Mitchell County,1883; reprinted 1975:
Among the pioneers of Mitchell county, deriving of special mention in this connection should be named Homer I. Stacy, who platted the beautiful village, which, at the earnest request of many friends, he named Stacyville. Mr. Stacy came to Iowa on a prospecting tour; and after a careful examination of the claims in different portions of the State, he bought of John McIntire for himself and brother, Fitch B. Stacy, 600 acres of land on the Little Cedar River, paying therefor $3000. Mr. McIntire had purchased this tract of the government at $1.25 per acre, but a short time before. Mr. Stacy then selected and located for himself and brother, 1,500 acres more, including the present site of Stacyville.
With his family he spent the winter of 1855-56 at Mitchell, and the following spring platted Stacyville, built a store and residence, and moved his family to their new home in the embryo town.
During the two years prior to 1883 he was in a sense retired by impaired health. During the terrible hard times of 1857-8 many had occasion to know personally his warm sympathy for the needy and distressed pioneer, who were in many cases pressed for the necessities of life. His open hand supplied their wants, often at the sacrifice of some toil, and other times by privation to himself and family. In times when flour and provisions were scarce, Mr. Stacy was called upon to furnish such goods on credit, as money could not be obtained; and in many instances he never received his pay, but to more than repay him for his kind generosity, he met men frequently, ten, fifteen and twenty years afterwards, who would again thank him for his kindness showed them in those days which tested men's real manhood.
Among the many instances of his free-hearted benevolence, space admits of recording but two which show the character of the man. During the hard winter Mr. Stacy was running a store at Stacyville, and one dreary day an old man remained in his store nearly all day without entering into any conversation, and finally, toward evening, Mr. Stacy asked him if there was anything he could do for him. He said that his family were out of provisions, and his stock out of grain, and hay all gone, and worse than that he was without money. Mr. Stacy helped him to provisions, but told him he had no hay to spare him. The stranger then said he knew where he could get some hay if he could pay for it out of his store; so Mr. Stacy allowed him to get the hay in this manner, trusting the man's honor for his pay. The man lived a few miles over in Minnesota and proved to be a worthy man, who family were in sore need, and which made Mr. Stacy feel that it was "Better to give than to receive."
Another case which doubly repaid him for his generosity, was where a man, with whom he was acquainted, but who was in poor circumstances, was compelled to go about his daily toil, in mid-winter time, with a pair of boots through which his toes were protruding. In a jovial way, one day, Mr. Stacy remarked to him: "Why don't you get a pair of boots?" The poor man informed him that he could not raise the money with which to purchase them. Mr. Stacy told him to come right into his store and pick out such a pair of boots as he wanted, and that he might pay for them when he could. The man took the boots with many a "God bless you". Twenty years rolled away, and one day Mr. Stacy was spoken to by a man whom he did not recognize. The man remarked to him: "Well, I never shall forget you - you are the man who trusted me to a pair of boots when I was going about with my toes out." Thus the two early settlers were again made known to each other, and again did the man thank his benefactor, who assured him that he had done no more than duty demanded. Return to Top of Page
Homer I. Stacy was born in DeKalb, St. Lawrence Co., NY on January 9th, 1820. His parents were Isaac (b 25 Mar 1790 in Cooperstown, NY; d 23 March 1859 in DeKalb, St. Lawrence Co.,NY) and Orp(h)a Page (b 15 May 1797 Coventry, CT, died 29 June 1873 in Princeton, Bureau Co., Illinois) Stacy. Homer was the oldest son of six children. His grandparents were: Isaac Stacy (b 17 Jan 1755 in Sturbridge, MA; d 1829 in DeKalb, NY) and Abigail Averill (b 6 June 1780 in Palmer, MA). His g-grandparents were Isaac Stacy (b 15 Mar 1730/1 in Killingly, CT) and Elizabeth Bond. His gg-grandparents were: John Stacy (born about 1700; d 1746) and wife Sarah Preston (born Feb 1694/95 in Andover, MA). His ggg-grandfather was: Mark Stacy (born about 1657 in Marblehead, MA). His gggg-grandfather was John Stacy (born about 1629 ; died June 1669 in Marblehead, MA). his ggggg-grandparents were Hugh Stacy (born about 1594 in England) and wife Margaret.
Homer I. Stacy was married in 1 July 1846 to Amelia L. Donaldson, daughter of Rev. Asa Donaldson, of Dover, Illinois. Amelia was born July 1, 1823. She died 4 May 1908 in Osage. They had seven children: Mary Emeline (Mrs. George Wall), Bissel Fitch, who in 1881 moved to Dakota, Ella Maria (Mrs E. W. Stacy of Osage), Delia Orpah, Francis Amelia Hattie A. (Mrs. Henry Reeve), and Asa Isaac Stacy. Homer died 1 March 1887 in Stacyville.
The 1880 Federal Census Data for Mitchell County, Iowa showed the following:
In Stacyville Township, In the Village of Stacyville, Dwelling #1, Family #1 no less:
Stacy, Fitch B. Age 59 Occupation: Breeder of Livestock. He indicated that he and both of his parents were born in NY.**
Stacy, Amy P. S. Age 40 (Wife) Occupation: Keeping House. Her & her parents born in Maine.
Stacy, Annie P. Age 24 (Daughter) Occupation: Teacher. Born in IN, Parents born in NY
Stacy, Ralph S. Age 12 (Son) Occupation: At school. Born in IA, Father Born in NY, Mother Born in ME
Stacy, Mary B. Age 6-(Daughter) Born in IA, Father Born in NY, Mother Born in ME
Stacy, C. Burton Age 19 (Nephew) Occupation: Farm, Laborer. Born in IL, Father Born in NY, Mother Born in VT
Living in the same household were:
Lonie, David G. Age 30 Farm Laborer
Walter, Margaret Age 20 Domestic Servant
Walter, George W. Age 18 Farm Laborer
In Stacyville Township, In the Village of Stacyville, Dwelling #10, Family #10:
Wall, George Age 31 Occupation: Miller. He indicated that he and both of his parents were born in ENGLAND.
Wall, Mary E. Age 30. Wife. She was born in IL, both parents born in NY.
Wall, Lettie Age 1 Daughter. Born in IA. Father born in England, Mother born in IL.
Living in the same household was:
Stacy, Bissel F. Age 28 Brother-in-law. Occupation: Census enumerator. Born in IL. Both parents born in NY
Also In Stacyville Township, At Dwelling #124, Family #131 we find:
Stacy, Homer I. Age 60 Occupation, Farmer, born in NY, Father born in NY, Mother born in MASS**
Stacy, Amelia L. (Wife) born in NY, Father born in MASS, Mother born in NH
Stacy, Delia O. Age 25 (Daughter)
Stacy, Frances A. Age 22 (Daughter)
Stacy, Harriett A. Age 20 (Daughter)
Stacy, Asa I. Age 18 (Son)
**NOTE: Homer & Fitch did not report the same place of birth for their mother. Return to Top
A biographical sketch is included of a Pelatiah Stacy. According to the entry, Pelatiah was the sixth of 11 children in a family that would have included Homer & Fitch's grandfather Isaac Stacy. Pelatiah was born in Cooperstown, Otsego, Co, NY 28 May 1792 and came with his father's family in 1804 to Dekalb where he resided until his death 24 Feb 1872.
On Jan. 28, 1819, Pelatiah married Miss Jerusha Tanner. Jerusha died 30 June 1876 at the age of 76. Their children were: James A. (1822-1858), Jerusha (b1824), Lydia (b1826), William M. (b1828), Isaac W. (b1830), John S. (b1833), Erastus W. (b1835), Mary A. (b1837), Elisha H. (b1840), Maria C. (b1843), Edson E. (b1845; d 1864) and Charles P. (b1848).
Newspaper Extractions - Bureau Co.
June 26, 1873
Mrs. Orpha Stacy died June 29 in Princeton, age 76 years. born at Coventry, Ct in 1797, when a child her parents moved to Oneida, NY. She afterwards settled in Northern NY where her children were born. In 1859 she moved to Malden, member of the Congreational Church. Funeral at the residence of her son, Hon. Wm. C. Stacy.
August 14, 1873
Mrs. Orpah Page Stacy, died June 29, age 76. Born in Ct., spent much of early life in town of DeKalb, St. Lawrence co., NY. Her brothers and sisters have precede her to the tomb. Married age 18. United with Princeton Congreational church by letter July 3, 1863. Grandchildren in Princeton and IA
3 July 1873
E.P. Stacy of Mitchell IA, Fitch Stacy of Stacyville, IA., brothers of W. C. Stacy visit.
Correspondence from Stacy Descendants and Researchers:
Note: EMAIL LINKS ARE ACTIVE BELOW FOR THOSE WHO GRANTED PERMISSION FOR THEIR ADDRESS TO BE POSTED.
EMAIL ME IF YOU'D LIKE YOUR CONNECTION POSTED.
Laurie writes: My Stacy was Lucy Stacy and she married Robert Ransom and their daughter Lucy Delight Ransom married John Richardson and they settled in Osage. Their daughter had an autograph book with the name of Ella Stacy. I received an e-mail from a girl who had a relative in Stacyville by the name of Ella Stacy - Lucy had a brother by the name of Ebenezar Stacy and through his line there are some Scofields who ended up in Osage.
Another, Jim, mentioned he is married to a descendent of Homer's son Asa Stacy. Apparently the Stacy family has reunions with the Fonda family now and then. At the 1988 reunion ,William Stacy presented a family history on Homer, not unlike the Mitchell history above.
Peggy, writes from Oregon that her line comes down through Homer as well via their daughter Mary Emeline Stacy (b 2 Sept 1849 in Stacyville, d 6 Feb 1918 in Early, Sherman Co., OR) who married on 26 Dec 1877 in Stacyville to George Wall (b 15 Oct 1849 in Gravesend, Kent, England, Died 15 June 1925 in Cove, Union Co., OR). She has quite a bit of Oregon info & is willing to share.
Toni writes that her g-grandmother was Ella L. Stacy who married Charles Clinton Crosby. They had a son Harold Stacy Crosby on 10 July 1886 while living in Osage, IA.
The Hoyt Donaldson Line is available here. Amelia Donaldson married Homer Isaac Stacy - this is John Hoyt's line.
Rosanne, a researcher who updates DeKalb cemeteries in St. Lawrence Co., NY, writes, that Isaac Stacy , Homer & Fitch Stacy's father is buried there with a daughter Esther. She also reports that there is a family reunion every year for Stacy descendants.
Elise only recently found out of Homer's existence - via postings related to the Stacys of Stacyville. She has info on his parents and his brothers, Fitch B., Stacy William C. Stacy and Edwin.P. Stacy from her research as well as biography on Edward N. Page who married Hannah Caroline Stacy (dau. of Norman Stacy - a first cousin to Homer)., a connection to Homer's mother Orpha (Page) Stacy.
Edna from WA state writes her line is through Alfred Joseph Stacey Jr. Several years ago I wrote to Stacyville, IA to the Mayor about H. I Stacey as that was one of the names in our family Bible.
Becky writes she is a Stacy descendent. You may visit her site at: http://www5.50megs.com/stacyline to see all her hard work and links to many, many resources for Stacy researchers.
Jim shared Mary E. (Stacy) Wall's grave and has a genealogy website that may be of interest.
This page gives access to his genealogy, gedcom or gravestone project
STACY GEN FORUM: Discussion & query board for Stacy name & all variants.
STACY-STACEY FAMILIES can also be found on egroups discussion boards :
1920 Census info: http://www.egroups.com/group/Stacey-Stacyin1920
Stacy-Stacey Family Stories: http://www.egroups.com/group/Stacey-Stacyin1920
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