Charles T. McCarroll

As printed in 1914

CHARLES T. McCARROLL.

On the list of Ottumwa's dead appears the name of Charles T. McCarroll, long prominently, actively and honorably associated with its business interests, being especially active in manufacturing circles. His life was at all times useful, purposeful and resultant, and in the accomplishment of his purposes he promoted not only individual success but also advanced the gen-

KY eral prosperity through the employment which he furnished to many workmen. A native of Ohio, he was born in Leesville, April lo, 1851, his parents being W. F. and Mary E. (Timmerman) McCarroIl. The father was a representative of one of the old families of the Buckeye state and there devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits until he came to Iowa, establishing his home in Ottumwa. He married Mrs. Mary E. Ross, nee Timmcrman, and she died when their son, Charles T. McCarroIl, was but two years of age. A daughter by a former marriage was Mrs. Mary E. Hennegan. After losing his first wife the father wedded Mary Millsack, and they had four children: J. B. and W. F., well known in Ottumwa as partners in the firm of McCarroll Brothers, hardware merchants; Mrs. Phoebe Biddison; and Mrs. Laura Kilby, of Ottumwa.

Charles T. McCarroll was a lad of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents to Wapello county, settling upon a farm near Kirkville. There he resided until 1871, when the family removed to Ottumwa, and he and his father entered the hardware trade under the firm style of W. F. McCarroll & Son, purchasing the business of William Kraner on Main street. Twenty years later the father passed away, but the business was still conducted under the old firm style until Februarv, 1898, when Charles T. McCarroll sold out to the Harper & Mclntire Company and entered upon the business of manufacturing stoves. He bought land on West Second street and erected a.building thirty by one hundred and eighteen feet, with an ell twenty by thirty feet to be used as a storeroom. He employed a large force of workmen, and he installed a large number of special machines, a number of which were patented by him. He not only engaged in the manufacture of stoves but also of huge tanks of his own invention. In 1901 he invented a tank heater and in 1907 a stove pipe thimble, which is the best on the market. He operated that plant until his death, which occurred on the 15th of Julv, 191 1. His manufactured products all displayed an excellence that secured a ready sale for the output and year by year the business increased, its trade covering a wide territory.

Mr. McCarroll was united in marriage November 6, 1877, in Wapello county, to Miss Emma L. Foster, a daughter of Thomas Foster, and they became the parents of three children: Mary, now the wife of Ralph McCullough of Seattle, Washington; Helen, now Mrs. Charles B. Jordan, of Minneapolis; and Laura, who is a graduate of Ottumwa high school and still at home. She is now connected with her mother in carrying on the business left by the husband and father, and has been superintendent of the McCarroll Manufacturing Company for three years. Mrs. McCarroll owns a farm in Washington township and a fine residence in this city. Both mother and daughter are ladies of excellent business ability, indicating their worth in the capable control of the interests which were left to them by husband and father. He was well known as a member of the Royal Arcanum and was a stalwart supporter of the republican party, which elected him to the office of alderman in the sixth ward. He was a charter member of the Wapello club. He was interested in all civic matters and supported every movement which he deemed of value and benefit to the community. His life was honorable, his actions many and sincere and he enjoyed the respect, confidence and good-will of those with whom he came in contact.

As printed in History of Wapello County, Iowa (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.