Vertical File Biographies

This is an individual biography from the vertical file of biographical information, primarily newspaper clippings, created by the Kansas State Histocial Society Library and Archives division. This is a concise version--there may be more information in this or other sources.

Charles C. Isely

Charles C. Isely, grain man, merchant, writer and realtor was active in the development of southwest Kansas wheat farming in his early years. He helped organize the first wheat pool in 1911, aided in financing the Dodge City terminal elevator and is credited with writing the first plan used by the federal government in 1918 for a three million dollar seed loan.

In 1938, Isely helped sponsor Wilroad Gardens, a federally financed project where people could purchase four or five acre tracts of land and cooperatively build homes.

Isely unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 1932 and 1942. His platform advocated restoration of world trade by adjustment of war debts.
Mr. Isely had for many years been a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and the Northwestern Miller of Minneapolis. In the spring of 1945, he went to the Middle East as a war correspondent, writing articles for several newspapers.

Born May 11, 1875 on a farm near Fairview, Kansas, Isely graduated from Fairmount College (now Wichita University) in 1902. He went to work for a lumber company as a traveling salesman and three years later decided to go into business for himself, starting a lumber yard in Cimarron. In 1908, he moved to Dodge City, opening a lumber company and later adding grain and other operations.

Charles C. Isely died on May 14, 1949, age 74 after a very active life in business and community service.

Sources:
“Pioneer Kansas Booster Dies,” Wichita Eagle, 14 May 1949.

“C.C. Isely Rites Held Monday Here,” High Plains Journal, 19 May 1949.

The vertical file is on forty-three microfilm reels arranged alphabetically by name. These reels are available through interlibrary loan, or you may contact the reference staff . Please note that many of the clippings had yellowed and it may be impossible to produce a readable photocopy.

Completion of this biography was made possible by volunteer Frank Sotrines.