USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 22
USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 22
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and insurance business, and in the latter year removed to O'Brien county, in the northwestern part of the State, where he remained about three years, returning here in 1876, when he became a partner in the real estate and insurance business, under the firm name of Stearns, King & Co., and continned in that line until 1881, when he removed to Chamberlain, D. T, where he still lives.
Col. Arthur T. Reeve was for many years a member of the bar, and is one of the leading men of Franklin county. He is a native of Ohio, born at New Lyme, Ashtabula county, Dec. 18, 1835, and a brother of the first judge of Franklin county-James B. Reeve. The Reeve's were a patriotic family. The grandfather of Arthur, and three brothers were in the Revolutionary war, and two of them died in a prison ship. Arthur's father was a farmer, and the son remained at home until his nineteenth year, having, mean- time, pursued one year's course of study at the Orwell Academy. In 1854, he moved to Iowa, settling at Maysville, Franklin county, where he followed farm- ing in the summers and teaching in the winters. In the spring of 1858 he went to Buena Vista county, made a claim on the Little Sioux river, but lost it, and late in the s me year returned to Franklin county The summer of 1860 he spent in the mines of Pike's Peak. In 1861 he met John Brown, Jr., in Chicago, and en- listed in the 7th regiment Kansas Cavalry, better known as the "Jayhawkers." He started as a private, and became a non- commissioned officer, serving eighteen monthis. As soon as colored men began to to be mustered in the Union army, Mr.
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Reeve was detailed to organize such troops. He soon had such a company ready, &t Corinth, Miss., for the 55th regiment Col- ored Infantry and he was appointed its capt in. A little later he aided in organ- izing the 88th regiment Colored Infantry, and was appointed major. Still later, he organized a regiment of colored militia, and was made its colonel. Near the close of the rebellion, Col. Reeve was detailed for service in the Freedmen's Bureau, being appointed superintendent of the same at Memphis. This office he held until Jan- uary, 1866, when he returned to his home and farm at Maysville. He moved to Hampton in 1870; had previously read law at sundry times ; was admitted to the bar, and engaged in law practice and real estate business. Col. Reeve has held many offices of trust in Franklin county ; he was elected county judge in 1861, but before qualifying enlisted in the army ; he was a member of the board of super- visors from 1867 to 1869, and then elected treasurer of the county, serving four years. He has been for a number of years, one of the regents of the State University, and in 1873, was a very prominent candidate for State treasurer. He is now engaged in the pension bureau of the government, but still makes Hampton his home. On the 2d of April, 1858, Mr. Reeve was mar- ried to H. Lavina Soper, of Maysville, formerly of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. They have had seven children, six of whom are living.
Major A. G. Kellam came to Hampton, from Delevan, Wis., in 1871, and in com- pany with J. F. Latimer, established the Franklin County Bank. For about ten years he remained connected with the
institution, and in the meantime became a law partner of John H. King and D. W. Henley. After closing his connection with the bank he devoted his whole time and energy to the practice of law. In busi- ness and social circles he was much es- teemed and respected and his word was always as good as his note. Probably no man has ever had the thorough respect and friendship of the entire county as was felt for Mr. Kellam. In 1881 he re- moved to Chamberlain, Dakota, and is there engaged in business. In his leaving the county, Hampton lost a valued citi- zen.
John H. King commenced practice in 1872, and for a time afterward was in partnership with W. N. Davidson. He remained here until August, 1882, then went to Dakota and was one of the founders of the town of Chamberlain, at the terminus of the Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R. Mr. King was for two terms a member of the State legislature from this county, and while there attracted considerable attention for his zeal and activity in the interest of his constituents. No member of the eighteenth General Assembly stood higher in the estimation of his contemporaries or made a better record than did Mr. King. He was an indefatigable worker, and although not a success as a lawyer, his energy made him a man to be sought for. He was one of the best known men in the State.
J. D. Giffen opened a law office in Hampton in 1873, and remained about nine months. From here he went to Marion, Linn county, this State, and in 1882 was elected judge of the eighth jndi- cial district.
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J. H. Bland came here from Indianola, Iowa, is 1874, for the purpose of practic- ing law. He entered into partnership with D. W. Dow and remained about six months. His health then failed him and he went to Los Angelos Co., Cal, where he died soon after. In speaking of the unexpected death of James II. Bland, the State Register said: "Mr. Bland, who was well known in Iowa, removed to Cali- fornia in 1874, going partly for health and partly for business. His disease was diphtheria, and his illness lasted only four or five days. Mr. Bland had many friends in our city and many at Indianola, where he attended college for three years, as well as at Hampton, this State, where he used to be in business. He was an inti- mate friend of Homer Cope, and was him- self a fine elocutionist, and had read in public at various places in this State. He went to California to pursue his profes- sion, that of law, and was meeting with unusual success. He was a young gentle- man of the highest worth and of the noblest qualities. His age was twenty- eight."
In 1877 the legal profession received an addition in the person of J. F. Haight, who located at Sheffield and commenced the practice of law. He had but little practice, paying most of his attention to insurance business. In 1880 he went to Tama county, this State, and in 1883 was located in Hamilton county.
The next lawyer was J. W. Gilger, who came here from Greene, Butler county, in 1880. He was a native of Venango Co., Pa., and came to Butler county early in the seventies. He was admitted to the bar in that county and worked up a fair
practice. Mr. Gilger was a man of ability and was a good lawyer. For cighteen months he was in partnership with D. W. Dow, of Hampton, and for a time with D. W. Henley. In the spring of 1883, Mr. Gilger removed to Minneapolis, Min., to pursue the practice of his profession.
THE BAR OF TO-DAY.
In 1888 the legal profession was repre- sented in Franklin county by the follow- ing named firms and individuals: D. W. Dow, Mckenzie & Hemingway, James T. McCormick, D. W. Henley, Taylor & Evans, Harriman & Luke, William Hoy, Walter A. Church, G. R Miner and R. H. Whipple.
Daniel W. Dow, the second attorney to locate at Hampton, and the oldest resi- dent, attorney in the county, was born in Washtenaw Co., Mich., on the 30th of September, 1836. In 1846 his parents located in Waukesha Co., Wis., and two years later removed to Whiteside Co., Ill. Having been taught the advantage of an education, at the age of fifteen he began attending school, working during the summer season to secure the necessary means to attend during the winter. After he had sufficient education he taught school during the winter months and at- tended in the summer At nineteen years of age he began the study of law, that profession being his aim from early boy- hood. For a time he read law with Joseph Knox, of Rock Island. Early in 1859 he was admitted to the bar, and soon after came to Iowa, and was admitted to prac- tice before the courts of this State in Clinton county. In July, 1859, he located at Hampton and began the practice of his profession. One year after his arrival he
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was elected clerk of the courts and re-elect- ed twice. After retiring from office he again began practicing his profession, in which he has since been actively engaged. He is to-day one of the most successful attorneys in northern Iowa, and his suc- cess is largely due to his untiring zeal and energy. Mr. Dow has always taken an active part in any enterprise of a public nature that would tend to advance the interests of his county, and probably no man has worked harder than Daniel W. Dow to make Franklin county what it is to-day. He is a forcible speaker, clear and logical in his arguments, and is an honor to the bar of Franklin county. For a short time he served in the war for the Union, enlisting in 1864 in com- pany G, 44th Iowa Infantry, as lieuten- ant, and served in that capacity until honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. On the 4th of December, 1864, Mr. Dow was married to Miss M J. Carter, daughter of S. H. Carter of Reeve township. Their chil- dren are-Guy H., Sarah A., Alma and Abi.
Tom C. Mckenzie came to Hampton in March, 1867, in company with his brother J. W. He remained a short time, then went to Cedar Falls and studied law in the office of Packard & Brown. He pursued his studies until fall, then went to Ann Arbor, Mich., and took a law course, returning to Hampton the follow- ing spring. Mr. Mckenzie was admitted to the bar in April, soon after his return to this place. He then went to Sioux City, this State, and engaged in the real estate business; but not meeting with the success he expected, he returned to Hampton in
the fall, and in company with his brother, opened the first regular law office in the place. The country was new, however, and there was but little business for law- yers; so Mr. Mckenzie concluded to try his skill in a newspaper enterprise. He went to Ackley, Hardin county, this State, and established the Ackley Mirror, which paper he ran until fall, when he sold and returned to Hampton. He has since made this his home, engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr. Mckenzie was born in in Wyandot Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1845. His parents were Roderick and Rachel (Berry) Mckenzie; the former a native of New York; the latter of Virginia. Mr. McKen- zie made his native State his home, until coming to Iowa as above stated. He re- ceived his education at Ohio Wesleyan University, and at Oberlin College, hav- ing attended two years at the former and part of one year at the latter insti- tution. In the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the Signal Corps and served until the close of the war. Most of this time the signal squad was attached to the 15th Army Corps, General John A. Logan, commander. Mr. Mckenzie was married Dec. 1, 1869, to Florence Brown, of Cedar Falls. Jan. 16, 1876, Mrs. McKenzie died leaving two children-Nellie and Edwin, and one month later, little Edwin fol- lowed her. Mr. Mckenzie was again married March 26, 1879, to Lonie M. Harris, of Kirksville, Mo. This union has been blessed with two children- Gertrude and James W. In 1870, Mr. Mckenzie was elected clerk of the dis- trict court, and resigned in June, 1875. In 1877, he was elected county treas- urer and was re-elected in 1879. In
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1878, Mr. Mckenzie entered into partner- ship with J. M. Hemingway, for the pur- pose of practicing law, under the firm name of Mckenzie & Hemingway. The firm is one of the most reliable in the county and have a large law practice.
J. M. Hemingway, junior member of the law firm of Mckenzie & Hemingway, has been a resident of Hampton since 1875. He was born at Hadley, Mich., Dec. 4, 1848, and is a son of John and Sarah (Dexter) Hemingway. In 1869, he entered the literary department of the University, of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and graduated in 1873. He came to Iowa in 1874, and matriculated at the State University at Iowa City, and graduated from the law department in the spring of 1875. He was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the State in June of that year. On opening his office at Hampton, he was associated with Hon. J. W. MeKenzie, and on the latter's election as judge, he formed a co-partnership with T. C. Mckenzie. He is a republican in politics. His busi- ness connection is regarded as among the leading in the county, and the firm is do- ing a prosperous and extensive business. Mr. Hemingway was married in 1877, to Natalia Zimmerman, born in La Porte, Ind. They have one child-Irma.
James T McCormick, is one of the gen- tlemen who can present valid claims to the rank of pioneer in Franklin county, arriving here in October 1857. Soon after, he was appointed deputy treasurer and re- corder, which position he filled three years. In 1860, he engaged in the real estate business at Hampton. In 1862, he was appointed to fill a position in the quarter- master's department at Washington, D. C.,
where he remained six years. He has since been justice of the peace at Hampton, and is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias, and belongs to the society of A. O. U. W. Mr. McCormick was born in Union Co., Penn., May 8, 1836. He is a son of Samuel C. and Sarah (Taggart) MeCormick. He was educated at the Baptist University, at Lewisburg, Penn.
D. W. Henley has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Hampton, since 1875. He was born in what is now Hendricks Co., Ind., Jan. 26, 1848. He is a son of W. H. and Elizabeth (Pitts) Henley. He attended the public schools of his native county, and finished his edu- cation at Earlham College, where he grad- nated in 1871. He soon after began the study of law at Indianapolis, and soon after entered the law school at Des Moines, Iowa. In December 1875, he was admitted to the bar. He located at Hamp- ton, and associated with John H. King, and afterwards with A. G. Kellam. Until lately, he has been a member of the law firm of Henley & Gilger. In politics, he is a staunch republican and belongs to the order of Masons Mr. Henley was mar- ried, in 1871, to Emily Stanton.
T. B. Taylor, senior member of the law firm of Taylor & Evans, came to Hamp- ton in 1873, and since 1874 has devoted his time to his profession. Mr. Taylor read law with Judge Mckenzie, was ad- mitted to the bar in 1874, and then com- menced the practice of law in Hampton. The next June he was appointed clerk of courts of Franklin county, and in 1876 was elected to the same office which he held one term, and then resumed the prac- tice of law, which he has since followed.
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He is a republican and a member of the M. E. Church. He was married in 1872 to Nellie VanSant. They have three living children: Olive, Ralph V. and Thomas B. Mr. Taylor was born in Du- buque Co., Iowa, Jan. 1, 1853, graduated at Cornell College in 1872, was afterwards principal of Albion Seminary one year, and was engaged in Hampton with Taylor & Carhart for about eight months in the book and music business. In 1879 he en- tered partnership with W. D. Evans for the practice of law.
William D. Evans located and com- menced the practice of law in Hampton in 1879, being associated with T. B. Tay- lor. He was born in Racine Co., Wis., May 10, 1852, and in 1858 came with his parents and settled in Iowa City, Iowa, where at the age of twenty-one he gradu- ated at the State University, in the col- lege department in 1878, and in the law department in 1879. He is a republican, an earnest advocate of temperance and a member of the Congregational Church at Ilampton. He and Julia Clark, of Iowa City, were married in 1879 and have two children: Evan S. and William Devold.
W. F. Harriman, mayor of Hampton, is among the leading attorneys of Franklin county. He was born at Warner, N. H., Aug. 16, 1841. Until the age of nineteen he was engaged in obtaining his education, studying first in the public schools and afterward at the New London Literary and Scientific Institute. He was employed some time subsequently in teaching, and later in reading law. He came west to Floyd Co., Iowa, in 1860, and in 1869 was admitted to the bar at Charles City. He soon after removed to Cherokee Co.,
Iowa. After a brief residence there he was elected to the office of county super- intendent of schools, which post he held two years. In 1876 he came to Hampton, and has since been actively engaged in the prosecution of his profession. He is of the firm of Harriman & Luke. He is independent in politics and gives his sup- port to the candidate who is, in his judg- ment, most fit .for the position. He is popular with the people and has held several official positions previous to his present incumbency. Mr. Harriman is a member of the Masonic order, and be- longs to Anchor Lodge, No. 191, of Hamp- ton. He was married in 1865 to Ella E. Mitchell. Their children are: John W., Wilbert E. and Charles B. Harriman.
J. W. Luke, junior member of the law firm of Harriman & Luke, was born near Albany, Albany Co., N. Y., in 1840. His parents were Garrett and Maria (Hotelling) Luke, both natives of Albany Co., N. Y. In 1849 the family removed to Cayuga county, same State, where they lived five years. In 1854 they removed to Illinois, locating for the first four years in Boone county, and at the expiration of that time went to Jo Daviess county. In April, 1861, Mr. Luke enlisted in company E, 15th Illinois Infantry, and on the organ- ization of the company he was elected second lieutenant. He commanded the company during almost the entire time until the summer of 1865, when the con- pany disbanded and Mr. Luke was dis- charged from service as a captain. Dur- ing the war Mr. Luke participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicks- burg, Atlanta and all of the engagements of the Army of the Tennessee, to which his
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company was attached. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the right thigh and in the left leg below the knee, being disabled for over two months. On the first day of that memorable battle, there were seventy men in his company, and out of that number there were forty that were killed or wounded. After his dis- charge Mr. Luke returned to Jo Daviess Co., Ill., and was elected sheriff of the county, which office he held for two years. In the meantime he had been applying himself to the study of law, and as soon as his term of office expired was admitted to the bar, commencing practice at once. Shortly after being admitted to the bar Mr. Luke was elected prosecuting attor- ney of his county, holding the office four years. After this he engaged in the prac- tice of his chosen profession at Galena, Ill., until the spring of 1882, when he came to Hampton. He at once opened a law office, engaging in practice alone until fall, when he entered into partnership with W. F. Harriman, under the firm name of Harriman & Luke. Mr. Luke was married in September, 1866, to Sarah A. Yerrington, a native of Michigan.
William Hoy has been a practicing at- torney in Hampton since 1878. He was born Aug. 26, 1840, and when nine years of age, moved with his parents to eastern Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood and obtained a good common school edu- cation, which was supplemented by a five years course at Hamline University, at Red Wing, Minn. He then engaged as principal of the schools of Kasson, Minn., and afterwards at Newton, Iowa. He retained the latter position five years and then entered the law office of Hon.
J. C. Cook, of Newton, afterwards mem- ber of Congress from that district. He was admitted to the bar in Jasper Co., Iowa, in 1876, and soon after transferred his interests to Hampton. Mr. Hoy has given his attention chiefly to commercial law and ranks high as an expert in that avenue of his profession. He is doing an immense business and has an extensive reputation as a commercial lawyer. In politics he is a republican, and is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. In 1863, he was married to Miss M. C. Ferguson of New York.
Walter A. Church came with his parents, David and Harriet C. (Shattuck) Church, in 1856, to Franklin Co., Iowa. He was born March 23, 1853, in Erie Co., Penn. He attended the log school house; the Albion Seminary; read law with W. F. Harriman ; afterwards took a law course at Iowa City and was admitted, March, 1880, in Franklin county, before Judge Bradley. He practiced two years in Hampton, and then engaged in farming and stoek raising, which he still continues. In polities he is a republican. In October, 1880, he married Miss L. E. Norton. They have one child.
G. R. Miner came to Sheffield, Iowa, 1879, having come to Franklin county in 1869. He was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1845. Here he grew up on a farm, working part of the time in a saw- mill, received an academic education at Barre, Vt., and in 1856, entered the Mich- igan State University at Ann Arbor. On leaving that institution he came to Iowa and taught school two terms at Earlville, Iowa He then went to Iowa Falls and studied law in the office of N. W. Ander-
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son for about a year and a half. In 1869, he came to Franklin county to teach in what was then Clinton township. In 1873, he moved to what is now Marion town- ship and was largely instrumental in its organization. Mr. Miner taught the first school in the township, was the first town- ship clerk, holding the office for three years and has also held the offices of treas- urer and secretary of the school board, each two years. In all he has taught school about fifteen terms in this county. In 1879, he was admitted to the bar at Hampton and at once removed to Sheffield, where he has practiced his profession ever since, doing at the same time a very ex- tensive insurance business. He was one of the charter members of the Masonic lodge. He served one year in the army, enlisting in the 16th Vermont Volunteer Infantry in 1862. He is also a member and is adjutant of the G. A. R He was married, in 1872, to Mary J. Miner, born in Ohio. They have five children-May, Ora, Zoa, Rio and Ina.
R. H. Whipple, an attorney at Dows and member of the firm of Whipple & Train, was born in Akron, Ohio, May 24, 1849. When yet a child his parents set- tled in Green Lake Co., Wis., and two years later removed to Brandon. In 1866, they came to Franklin county and settled on section 30, Morgan town-
ship, where the father still lives, the mother having been called away by death in 1881. R. H. Whipple received his early education in Wisconsin. In October, 1862, he enlisted as a drummer in compa- ny I, 11th Wisconsin Infantry, and served in that regiment until July, 1864, when he re-enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Bat- tery and remained in service until July, 1865. On receiving his discharge he re- turned to Wisconsin, and in 1866, came to Iowa with his parents. Since that time he has devoted much of his time to teaching, and was principal of the high schools at Estherville and Spencer, Iowa. In 1877 and 1878, he read law with Lot Thomas, of Storm Lake, after which he engaged in railroading for Hon. S. L. Dows, re- maining with him during the years 1880, 1881 and 1882. He was admitted to the bar at Clarion, Wright County, before Judge Miracle, and then formed the part- nership now existing between himself and R. E. Train, in the law, collection and real estate business. Mr. Whipple was married in 1873 to Harriet M. Ellis, who was born in Linn Co, Iowa, May 29, 1858. They have three children -Freddie, Maude and Mamie. Mr. Whip- ple is a republican in politics and has held various local offices ; he is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and a man who holds the respect and esteem of all who know him.
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CHAPTER VIII.
EDUCATIONAL.
The educational history of Franklin county is one of interest, and the zeal dis- played by many in the interests of good schools is indeed commendable. The common schools of our country are now regarded by many as essential to the safety of the Republic. The first settlers of the Territory showed in their works their faith in the public schools. Gov. Robert Lucas, in his message to the first legislative assembly of Iowa Territory, which convened at Burlington, Nov. 12, 1838, says, in reference to schools :
"The 12th section of the act of congress establishing our Territory declares, 'that the citizens of Iowa shall enjoy all the rights, privileges and immunities hereto- fore granted and secured to the Territory of Wisconsin and its inhabitants.' This extends to us all the rights, privileges and immunities specified in the ordinance of congress of the 13th of July, 1787.
" The 3d article of this ordinance de- clares, ' that religion, morality and knowl- edge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and all the means of education shall be forever encouraged.'
" Congress, to carry out this declara- tion, has granted one section of land in each township to the inhabitants of such township for the purposes of schools therein.
"There is no subject to which I wish to call your attention more emphatically than the subject of establishing, at the commencement of our political existence, a well digested system of common schools."
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