USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > Biographical history of Pottawattamie County, Iowa > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
my undivided time and serious attention thereto, so in the future I promise the most earnest devotion and untiring effort in the faithful performance of my official require- ments. I have seen the State grow from infancy to mature manhood, and each year one of substantial betterment of its previous position.
" With more railroads than any other State, save two; with a school interest the grandest and strongest, which commands the support and confidence of all the peo- ple, and a population, which in its entirety is superior to any other in the sisterhood, it is not strange the pride which attaches to our people. When we remember that the results of our efforts in the direction of good government have been crowned with such magnificent success, and to-day we have a State in most perfect physical and financial condition, no wonder our hearts swell in honest pride as we contemplate the past and so confidently hope for the future. What we may become depends on our own efforts, and to that future I look with earnest and abiding confidence."
Governor Sherman's term of office con- tinued until January 14, 1886, when he was succeeded by William Larrabee, and he is now, temporarily, perhaps, enjoying a well- earned rest. He has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and his services as a campaign speaker have been for many years in great demand. As an officer he has been able to make an enviable record. Himself honorable and thorough, his management of public business has been of the same character, and such as has com- mended him to the hearty approval of the citizens of the State.
He was married August 20, 1862, to Miss Lena Kendall, of Vinton, Iowa, a young lady of rare accomplishments and strength of character. The union has been happy in every respect. They have two children -- Lena Kendall and Oscar Eugene.
223
WILLIAM LARRABEE.
WILLIAM LARRABEE.
ILLIAM LARRABEE is the thirteenth Governor of this State, and the six- teenth Governor of Iowa, counting from the Territo- rial organization. His ancestors bore the name of d'Larrabee, and were among the French Hugue- nots who came to America early in the seventeenth century, set- tling in Connecticut. Adam Larrabee was born March 14, 1787, and was one of the early graduates of West Point Military Academy. He served with distinction in the war of 1812, having been made a Second Lieuten- ant March 1, 1811. He was promoted to be Captain February 1, 1814, and was soon after, March 30, of the same year, severely wounded at the battle of Lacole Mills, dur- ing General Wilkinson's campaign on the St. Lawrence. He recovered from this wound, which was in the lung, and was afterward married to Hannah Gallup Lester, who was born June 8, 1798, and died March 15, 1837. Captain Larrabee died in 1869, aged eighty-two.
The subject of this sketch was born at
Ledyard, Connecticut, January 20, 183? and was the seventh of nine children. He passed his early life on a rugged New Eng- land farm, and received only moderate school advantages. He attended the dis- trict schools winters until nineteen years of age, and then taught school for two winters.
He was now of an age when it became necessary to form some plans for the future In this, however, he was embarrassed by a misfortune which betel him at the age of fourteen. In being trained to the use of fire-arms under his father's direction, an ac- cidental discharge resulted in the loss of sight in the right eye. This unfitted him for many employments usually sought by ambitious youths. The family lived two miles from the sea, and in that locality it was the custom for at least one son in each family to become a sailor. William's two eldest brothers chose this occupation, and the third remained in charge of the home farm.
Thus made free to choose for himself William decided to emigrate West. In 1853, accordingly, he came to Iowa. His elder sister, Hannah, wife of E. H. Williams, was then living at Garnavillo, Clayton County, and there he went first. In that way he selected Northeast lowa as pis
224
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
future home. After teaching one winter at Hardin, he was for three years employed as a sort of foreman on the Grand Meadow farm of his brother-in-law, Judge Williams.
In 1857 he bought a one-third interest in the Clermont Mills, and located at Cler- mont, Fayette County. He soon was able to buy the other two-thirds, and within a year found himself sole owner. He oper- ated this mill until 1874, when he sold to S. M. Leach. On the breaking out of the war he offered to enlist, but was rejected on ac- count of the loss of his right eye. Being informed he might possibly be admitted as a commissioned officer he raised a company and received a commission as First Lieu- tenant, but was again rejected for the same disability.
After selling the mill Mr. Larrabee dc- voted himself to farming, and started a private bank at Clermont. He also, ex- perimentally, started a large nursery, but this resulted only in confirming the belief that Northern Iowa has too rigorous a cli- mate for fruit-raising.
Mr. Larrabee did not begin his political career until 1867. He was reared as a Whig, and became a Republican on the or- ganization of that party. While interested in politics he generally refused local offices, serving only as treasurer of the School Board prior to 1867. In the autumn of that year, on the Republican ticket, he was elected to represent his county in the State Senate. To this high position he was re- elected from time to time, so that he served as Senator continuously for eighteen years before being promoted to the highest office in the State. He was so popular at home that he was generally re-nominated by ac- clamation, and for some years the Demo- crats did not even make nominations. During the whole eighteen years Senator Larrabee was a member of the principal committee, that on Ways and Means, of which he was generally chairman, and was
also a member of other committees. In the pursuit of the duties thus devolving upon him he was indefatigable. It is said that he never missed a committee meeting. Not alone in this, but in private and public business of all kinds his uniform habit is that of close application to work. Many of the important measures passed by the Legislature owe their existence or present form to him.
He was a candidate for the gubernatorial nomination in 1881, but entered the contest too late, as Governor Sherman's following had been successfully organized. In 1885 it was generally conceded before the meet- ing of the convention that he would be nominated, which he was, and his election followed as a matter of course. He was inaugurated January 14, 1886, and so far has made an excellent Governor. His position in regard to the liquor question, that on which political fortunes are made and lost in Iowa, is that the majority should rule. He was personally in favor of high license, but having been elected Governor, and sworn to uphold the Constitution and execute the laws, he proposes to do so.
A Senator who sat beside him in the Senate declares him to be "a man of the broadest comprehension and information an extraordinarily clear reasoner, fair and conscientious in his conclusions, and of Spartan firmness in his matured judg. ment," and says that "he brings the prac- tical facts and philosophy of human nature, the science and history of law, to aid in his decisions, and adheres with the earnestness of Jefferson and Sumner to the fundamental principles of the people's rights in govern. ment and law."
Governor Larrabee was married Sep- tember 12, 1861, at Clermont, to Anna M. Appelman, daughter of Captain G. A. Appelman. Governor Larrabee has seven children-Charles, Augusta, Julia, Anna, William, Frederic and Helen.
Harare Baies
225
HORACE BOIES.
IDRACE BOLES."
ORACE BOIES, Governor of Iowa, is a lawyer by profession, and a resident of the city of Waterloo, of which city he has been a resident, engaged 0 in the active practice of his pro- fession, since 1867. Governor Boies is a son of Eber and Hettie (Henshaw) Boies, and was born in Aurora, Erie County, New York, on the 7th day of Deeem- ber, 1827. His father was a farmer by occupation, and in moderate eireumstanees, and Horace was reared under the healthful influence of farm life. He attended the public schools as op- portunity afforded, until sixteen years of age, when, being inspired with an ambition to see minore of the world than had been possible for him within the narrow limits of his native town, with the added variety of an occasional visit to Buffalo, he persuaded his father to consent to his departure for the West. Pass- age was seenred on a steamer at Buffalo, which was bound up the lakes, and in due time he landed at the little hamlet of Racine, Wisconsin. This was in the spring of 1843, five years before Wisconsin was admitted into the Union. The total cash assets of the youthful emigrant amounted to but 75 cents,
which required on his part strict economy and immediate employment.
Not finding a favorable opening at Raeine, he struek out on foot in search of work among the farmers, which he scenred of a settler near Rochester, and about twenty miles from Raeine. His employer proved a hard task-master, and put the boy at the laborious work of diteh-digging, while he gave him the poorest kind of food, and even that to a very limited amount. After a month spent in a half-starved condition, and having been greatly overworked, he received the sum of $10 for his services. Broken in health, he left his employer, and soon for- tunately fell in with a family that had re- cently come from the vieinity of his home in the State of New York. These people proved true friends, and kindly cared for him through a long illness that followed, which was the legitimate result of his month of hardship and starvation. On recovering his health, young Boies continued at farm work until a year had elapsed since he left his home; he then returned to his native town, having learned the useful lesson of self- reliance, which in after years enabled him to more easily overcome the difficulties that beset the way of him who has to hew out his own road through life. On his return to Aurora, Mr. Boies pursued a course of study
226
GOVERNORS OF IOWA.
at the academy of that village, and later spent one winter in school-teaching in Boone County, Illinois.
Returning to the State of New York, he was married in Aurora, on the 18th of April, 1848, to Miss Adela King, a daughter of Darius and Ilannah King. Mrs. Boies was a native of Erie County. They had three children, of whom only one is now living, a daughter, Adela, who is now the widow of John Carson. Mrs. Carson resides at Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
In 1850 Mr. Boies began the study of law in Anrora, and was admitted to the bar at Buffalo at the general term of the Supreme Court in November, 1852. Ile pursued the practice of his profession in Buffalo and vicinity with marked snecess, and in the fall of 1857 was elected to represent his district in the New York House of Representatives for the session of 1858.
Mrs. Boies died in November, 1855, and he was married the second time in Deeem- ber, 1858, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Miss Ver- salia M. Barber, who was born in Boston, Erie County, New York, a daughter of Dr. P. J. Barber. Mrs. Boies had removed to Iowa six months previous to her marriage. She died in April, 1877, leaving three ehil- dren, a daughter and two sons. Earl L., the eldest, was gradnated at Cornell College, studied law with his father, was admitted to the bar in 1886, and became the partner of his father. Jessie, the daughter, is her father's companion and housekeeper. Her- bert B., the youngest, is a law student in his father's office at Waterloo.
After pursuing the practice of his pro- fession at Buffalo and vicinity for fifteen years, Mr. Boies removed to Iowa, settling at Waterloo in April, 1867. He at once formed a law partnership with H. B. Allen, and for a time the firm was Boies & Allen. Then
Carolton F. Couch, the present Distriet Judge, was admitted to membership, and the firm name beeame Boies, Allen & Couch. That connection was continued till 1878, when Mr. Allen, on account of failing health, was obliged to withdraw, the firm becoming Boies & Couch until 1884, when Mr. Couch was elected Judge of the Ninth Judicial Dis- triet. Mr. Boies was then alone in business for a short time, when he was joined by his eldest son. In 1886 Mr. James L. Hnsted was admitted to membership in the firm, which has since continued under the name of Boies, Husted & Boies, and is widely known as a leading law firm of eastern Iowa.
Governor Boies was a Whig in early life, and on the disruption of that party and the formation of the Republican party, he joined the latter. He was never ambitious to serve in official position, and with the exception of his one term in the Legislature of his native State and one term as City Attorney of Waterloo, he held no office of importance till elected Governor of Iowa in the fall of 1889. Ile maintained his connection with the Re- publiean party until 1882, sinee which time he has affiliated with the Democrats. Gov- ernor Boies enjoys the distinction of being the first Governor of Iowa elected by the Democratie party for thirty-five years, and was the only successful candidate of his party on the State ticket at the late election. Considering the fact that the State was ear- ried the year previous, in the Presidential election, by a majority of 35,000 in favor of the Republicans, the success of Governor Boies may be said to have been a compli- ment to him as a man and leader, without disparaging the splendid campaign work of his party managers, or ignoring the effect of the evident change in popular political senti- ment in Iowa.
C, Palour
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
ALEB BALDWIN was born April 3, 1824, about five miles southeast of the borough of Washington, in the State of Pennsylvania. He enjoyed the advantages of a good primary education, and after com- pleting his preparatory studies he entered Washington College, in his native State, and graduated with honor in the c'ass of 1842. As it was the custom in those early days for students to teach for a year or more before beginning the study of law, he went to Paris, Kentucky, and taught school for one year. Hfe then returned to Washington and studied law with the Hon. T. M. T. McKennan, a distinguished jurist and statesman of Penn- sylvania, and at one time Secretary of the Interior under Millard Fillmore, was ad- mitted to the bar in the spring of 1846, and soon afterward removed to Fairfield, Iowa, and commenced the practice of law. His manhood more than justified the promise of his youth, for he rose to marked eminence in the State of Iowa. He resided in Fairfield for eleven years, during which period he was three times elected Prosecuting Attorney of Jefferson County, a position he resigned to accept the appointment of District Judge tendered him by Governor Grimes.
At the expiration of his term as District
Judge he removed to Council BInffs, in 1857, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. Two years later, in 1859, he was chosen by the popular voice as one of tho Judges of the Supreme Court. Up to that time the judges of the Supreme Court had not been elected directly by the people, and many doubts were entertained whether the choice of a tribunal of such power could be safely trusted to the voice of the masses. In the canvass of that year it was argued with par- ticular vigor against Judge Baldwin that lie was a new and an untried man, and that the State had no assurance that he would be equal to the high position to which he had been nominated. Making no personal appeal to the people, he quietly awaited their choice, and in company with ex-Governor Ralph P. Lowe and IIon. L. D. Stockton was elected by a handsome majority- In the classifica- tion by lot of the members of the court he drew the four-year term, and after the expi- ration of two years became by succession the Chief Justice of the State. He discharged the laborious work of his office with such ability, and by his ceaseless attention to the duties of his position and by his impartiality and unassuming manners had so won the con- fidence of the people, that after the close of
20
232
BIOGRAPHIICAL HISTORY
the four years he was universally desired by the members of the bar of his own party to accept a renomination, and had he consented would have been chosen by acelamation. He deemed it his duty, however, to decline a re- nomination, and retired for a time from pub- lic life to resume the practice of his profes- sion. Warm-hearted as a friend, energetic and public-spirited as a citizen, and able and impartial as a judge, he carried with him into his retirement the confidence and affec- tion of the people of the entire State.
At a meeting of the Supreme Court the fol- lowing preamble and resolutions were passed:
WHEREAS, the judicial term of Hon. Caleb Baldwin is about to expire, and although it was the manifest wish of a large majority of the people of Iowa, the unanimons desire of the Legal Profession of the State that lie should continue his connection with our Sn- preme Bench, yet by his own voluntary de- termination that connection is abont to be severed; and
WHEREAS, Under such circumstances it is eminently proper for the Bar of the State to give authoritative expression of their senti- ments of respect for our retiring Chief Jus- tice; therefore,
Resolved, That in the Hon. Caleb Baldwin we have found and recognize an able, impar- tial and faithful jurist; that in his compre- hensive, yet accurate view of the whole case under consideration he has evinced a capac- ity for the administration of justice, and at the same time a faithful regard for the prin- ciples of law, which is justly envied by all and possessed by but few; that we refer with mneli pride and confidence to the opinions de- livered by him during his term as a vindica- tion of this expression of our sentiments, and as an evidence of the high character of our Supreme Bench, which we are glad to know, through his influenee and that of his asso-
ciates, is being justly recognized and appre- ciated by the best jurists of other States.
Resolvd, That the Hon. Caleb Baldwin, by his uniform dignity, courtesy and kindness on the Bench, has shown how unerringly a true man may exercise anthority without showing power, and by his conduct has now and retains onr highest regards.
Resolved, That the Hon. Caleb Baldwin carries with him in his retirement our grate- ful esteem and affection, our sincere wish for his good health, long life and continued use- fulness, and our profound regrets that he has felt it to be his duty to dissolve that relation which has for four years existed between us with a pleasure that has been uninterrupted by even the slightest aet, word or thought.
His name was frequently suggested witlı the Chief Magistracy of Iowa, but he could not be prevailed upon to become a candidate betore a State Convention. IIe was a favor- ite in the West, and if his ambition had been equal to his ability and to the good will of the people toward him, there would have been no office too high for his possible attainment.
In 1864 he was appointed by President Lincoln United States District Attorney for the District of Iowa, which position he held until after the assassination of President Lincoln and the assumption of the Presi- deney by Andrew Johnson, when he resigned. Ile again resumed the active practice of his profession at Council Bluffs, associating with him the Hon. George F. Wright. le re- mained actively in the practice until 1874, when he was appointed by President Grant one of the members of the Alabama Claims Commission, which position he held until his death, which occurred at Council Bluffs, Iowa, December 15, 1876.
Judge Baldwin's life was one of unusual activity and usefulness. As a lawyer he stood at the head of his profession and was
233
OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.
without a peer in the West. He was pos- sessed of a natural genius for the law, culti- vated and strengthened by careful study and experience. Fortunate in his early legal training, and still more fortunate in being endowed with the strictest integrity and an untiring industry, he infused into his decis- ions and thus into the legal monuments of the State the spirit which he imbued from a life-long intercouse with the highest sources of the law. As a judicial writer Judge Bald- win had clearness, succinctness and force. He always meant what he said and said what he meant in the fewest possible words and mnost direct manner, and seldom, if ever, failed to illustrate clearly and logically his earnest and honest convictions whatever the subject with which he dealt. As a citizen of Council Bluffs Judge Baldwin was active in all public affairs and zealous for the upbuild- ing of the city and its future welfare. He was closely identified with its struggles, growth and prosperity. Nor did he limit his work to the city. He helped build his State. He carried to public position what he had shown in private life,-business habits and a carefully trained legal mind.
Nature had endowed Judge Baldwin with a form of manly dignity and a face of impres- sive benevolence. With remarkably pleasing manners, he commanded the admiration of all who met him. In his influence over men and their emotions he had a sublime mastery, and he took pleasure in affording needed re- lief and imparting to others that desirable inspiration which he himself possessed. As a friend he was generous, kind, true and faithful. He was deliberate in drawing con- clusions and judging faults. His heart was large enough to embrace within its sympa- thies all classes. Ever willing to lend a helping hand, whether to one in need of en- couragement or in distress, affable and oblig-
ing, Judge Baldwin was personally popular with rich and poor, high and low, alike. IIe was a leader and controller of men and a great organizer, and he was, as has often been said of him, " the Von Moltke of Iowa poli- tics;" but the essential element of his success had a snrer foundation than this. He was distinguished for his unchallenged honesty; holding some of the most responsible posi- tions in his State and nation, his course was ever marked by unswerving integrity. He was faithful to every public duty and true to his friends. He never betrayed a public trust or a personal friend. In private life he was genial and companionable, in the home he was the dutiful son, an affectionate husband, a kind and indulgent father.
In 1848 Judge Baldwin was married to Miss Jane Barr, a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Barr, of Rushville, Indiana. She was a woman admirably fitted to be the wife of so noble a husband. She had more than average intellectual force, and her natural powers had been cultivated, enlarged and de- veloped by careful study and training. For this reason she was an acquisition to society, and it enabled her to fulfill the duties de- volving upon her as the wife of a prominent man and the mother of a large family. After the death of her husband she held the office of Postmistress in the city of Council Bluffs during the administration of President Hayes and part of Garfield's. Her administration of that office was marked by the utmost fidel- ity and acceptance, and she left behind her a monument of virtue that the storms of time can never destroy. Her deeds of kindness, love and mercy shown to the many with whom she came in contact year by year, will never be forgotten.
Judge Baldwin died December 15, 1876, after a long and painful illness. Calm, re- signed, with au unswerving faith in the fu-
231
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ture, he passed quietly and peacefully away, just as he had reached the zenith of his capa- bilities, just as his mind fully disciplined by exercise, matured by experience and enlarged by observation, was capable of its best and grandest achievements, in the midst of pnb- lie employment and arduous duties, sur- rounded by a host of earnest friends, and in the bosom of an interesting family. In the power of example. in the wealth of an earnest, active, true life, he still lives.
As a mark of the high respect and esteem in which he was held by the Court of Claims, and also by the Iowa delegation then in Con- gress, resolutions fittingly portraying his character and virtues were unanimously adopted by both these bodies, spread upon the record of the Court and the history of Iowa in Congress.
E. McMULLEN, a prominent farmer of Washington Township, was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 22, 1846, the son of William MeMul- len, also a native of Pennsylvania. . He was the son of Charles MeMullen, who was born in Maryland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and who also served in the war of 1812. Our subject's inother was Margaret (Herage) Mc- Mullen, a native of Bedford County, Penn- sylvania. William McMullen is still living, in Washington Township, at the age of sev- enty-one years. He has been a farmer all his life; is a Republican in politics, and a mem- ber of the Methodist Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.