Grant Leroy Caswell
Grant Leroy Caswell, editor of the Denison Bulletin, in which connection he is publishing a paper of progressive character, was born in Boone county, Iowa, July 18, 1869.
His father, Lebeus Addison Caswell, was a native of Maine, as was his father, who was also of English descent. The ancestors of the family came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, four brothers sailing from England to the new world, two settling in Maine and two in Massachusetts. The grandfather was a farmer and inventor, and his inventive genius was displayed in the first com planter in the United States. He remained a resident of the east until his death, which occurred when he had reached an advanced age. Among his children were David, Lebeus, Mary and Mrs. Frances Oakes.
L. A. Caswell was reared in the Pine Tree state, acquired his education in New England and afterward engaged in the operation of a sawmill. More than a half century ago, however, he made his way to the middle west, settling at Albert Lea, Minnesota, and afterward at Boonesboro, Iowa, where he operated a sawmill and engaged in the lumber business. He was a resident of that locality from 1864 until 1882. He married Louisa Loomis, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania. Her father, a Methodist preacher, died when about sixty years of age, after rearing a large family, including Mrs. Emma Ward, William, Mrs. Louisa Caswell, and others whose names are not remembered. At the time of his death L. A. Caswell was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in Iowa, having been a member of the order for fifty-one years.
He passed away in 1908, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife died in 1900, when about sixty-five years of age. They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters: Lulu, the wife of Lorenzo F. Chapin, of Pasadena, California; Carl F., a resident of Coon Rapids, Iowa; Fannie, the wife of P. Scanlan, of Chicago; Grant L., of this review; Ned W., of San Francisco, California; Norval, of Coon Rapids; and Judd J.
Grant L. Caswell was reared in his native county and began his education in the schools of Moingona, while later he continued his studies in Ogden, in Boone, and in Coon Rapids. After putting aside his text-books he began learning the printer's trade at Coon Rapids and has been connected with the business continuously since. He at first worked mornings and evenings without compensation, but soon his ability enabled him to command good wages.
He was fifteen years of age when he left home and was employed as a tradesman from 1883 until 1889. He then purchased the paper on which he was working-the Ashton Argus-at Ashton, Iowa, and published it for two years. Prominent political leaders of Iowa at Sibley then offered him inducements to locate there and take charge of the Sibley Tribune in company with W. P. Webster. He remained at that place for six years, at the end of which time he purchased the Rock Rapids Review in connection with L. F. Chapin, with whom he was associated for a year.
He next came to Denison on the 1st of December, 1897, and purchased the Denison Bulletin and has since been its editor and publisher, making this one of the leading journals in this part of the state. The paper was established in 1873 as a democratic weekly and has a good circulation, together with a gratifying advertising patronage. Mr. Caswell also conducts a job printing business and in 1910 he erected a handsome brick building, a two-story and basement structure, today the home of the Bulletin. It is well equipped according to the most modern ideas of newspaper publication, and the paper is an attractive sheet.
On the 6th of May, 1891, Mr. Caswell married Miss Eva Clark, a native of Grinnell, Iowa, and a daughter of James W. and Jane (Gast) Clark, who for about a quarter of a century have been residents of Ashton, Iowa, where Mr. Clark, a most prominent citizen, has filled the office of mayor for twenty years.
Mr. and Mrs. Caswell are parents of four children: Carl Clark, Flora B., Paul H. and Donald Leroy, the eldest being now a student in the college at Iowa City.
Mr. Caswell belongs to Sylvan Lodge, No. 507, A. F. & A. M., in Denison, and Ark Chapter, No. 99, R. A. M., at Dunlap. He is also an active member of Dowdall Lodge, K. P., and has membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Woodmen of the World and the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he has always been a democrat and both personally and through. the columns of his paper has labored for the interests of the party and the adoption of its principles.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.