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 67
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 67
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 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105
Ilon. Irving W. Card is a native of Ohio, born in Deerfield, Portage county, on the 19th of May, 1834. His parents were Silas and Mary (Gibbs) Card. His father was a physician, a very excellent man, who died at Mason City, Iowa, in March, 1874. His widow is still living in Mason City. Until about nineteen years of age, Irving spent most of his time at school, coneluding his literary studies in an academy at Lima, Ohio. The family moved to Vinton, Iowa, in the autumn of 1854, and the next spring the son engaged in surveying, removing, however, soon after to Mason City, Cerro Gordo county, where he continued this business. Two years later he went to ( harles City, Floyd county, and studied law with G. G. and R. G. Reiniger being ad- mitted to the bar in 1859. He formed a partnership with the Reinigers, and prac- ticed in Charles City until 1861. In Feb- ruary of the next year, Mr. Card returned to Mason City, and there remained. Part of the time in connection with the practice of law he carried on real estate business. The firm of Card & Stanbery, and later that of Card & Miller, were extensive, both in the practice of law and in land
632
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
operations They were known far and wide, alike for the extent of their business and their honorable method of transact- ing it. Owing to ill health, Mr. Card re- tired from business in 1873, and was sub- sequently appointed postmaster of Mason City. During the years of 1863 and 1864, Mr. Card was deputy provost marshall for the sixth congressional district, taking charge of the enlisted troops, and looking after deserters. In the latter business he was very expert, making a record well known and remembered in northern Iowa. Mr. Card was elected district attorney for the twelfth judicial district in 1868, and served until just before the close of the four years. On sending in his resigna- tion to Gov. Carpenter, he received the following reply, dated at Des Moines on the 31st of August, 1872:
HON. I. W. CARD,
DEAR SIR :- Your resignation of the of- fice of district attorney, for the twelfth judicial district, came to hand yesterday.
In compliance with your request, I accept your resignation, and in doing so you will per- mit me to express my regret that you are im- pelled to take this step. Your faithful service to the State has been a credit to the judiciary and an honor to yourself. In view of your val- uable experience, which in addition to acknowl- edged legal ability, fits you better than any other man for the difficult and important duties of public prosecutor, I cannot but regret the responsibility it will devolve on me of naming a successor. With the best of wishes for your future success and happiness, I am
Your Friend, C. C. CARPENTER.
This letter properly characterizes his official career. In 1870 Mr. Card was a candidate for district judge, and led the convention for 366 ballots and was de- feated on the next ballot, by one and
three-fifths of a vote, Hon. G. W. Ruddick of Waverly, being the successful candi- date. Such a number of ballots for one candidate, is almost unprecedented in the history of American politics. Mr. Card has always been an active republican. In 1872 he was one of the delegates at large from Iowa to the republican National con- vention. He is a mason and has occupied the chair both in the lodge and chapter. On the 12th of Angust, 1860, he was mar- ried to Jennie C. Jackson, of Charles City. They have had one child, which died in infancy. Mr. Card was one of the lead- ers in bringing the Iowa branch of the Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, to Mason City, is a very influential and public spir- ited man, and has done as much, probably, to build up the home of his adoption, as any resident of the place. His moral character is excellent, and he has the high- est respect of his fellow citizens.
N. P. Merrill came to Mason City from . Illinois, a few years after the close of the war, and began the practice of law. He was a graduate of Ann Arbor, and a good lawyer in some respects. He remained for about two years, then left, and after- ward returned, and engaged in publishing a paper for a short time prior to his final leaving.
In 1868 Capt. G. R. Miller and J. R. Gage, located at Mason City. The former is still engaged in practice.
J. R. Gage came from Pennsylvania. He was a single man when he came, and read law and entered into partnership with Capt. G. R. Miller. He remained here until January, 1873, when he left for Michigan. He was married in that State and then returned to Iowa, locating at
633
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Nevada, Story county, and a year and a half later at Des Moines. For several years he practiced there, and finally re- moved to Stillwater, Minn., where he still lives. While at Mason City, Mr. Gage did not take a very prominent part in legal matters; he had just been admitted to the bar; had no experience and so but little practice. But he was a good student, and has since worked his way well up among the best lawyers of Minnesota.
Hon. Edwin Flint settled at Mason City in 1869, when he entered into a part- nership with B. F. Hartshorn, forming the law firm of Hartshorn & Flint. He was born in Braintree, Orange Co., Vt., on the 25th of May, 1814. He is son of Phineas and Abigail (Weld) Flint, of Vermont, who were the parents of seven children, five of whom are still living. His father was a farmer and died in 1826. His mother died in Mason City, in 1874. Mr. Flint remained on his father's farm until he was thirteen years old, and the follow- ing year he went to Windsor, where he passed a year in the office of the Vermont Chronicle. He went thence to Burling- ton, where he was employed by Chauncey Goodrich, a book publisher of that city. lle there prepared for college, paying his way in the printing office. He was ma- trieulated at the Vermont University at Burlington, in 1833, and was graduated in 1836. Soon after that event he went south and became a teacher in Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. In 1840 he was admitted to the bar at La Fayette, Ind., and, after a brief time, went to Jack- son, Mich., where he began the practice of his profession, remaining there until 1841, when he became impaired in health
and returned south. In 1848 he went to Fond Du Lac, Wis., and entered fully into the practice of law. . He went to La Crosse in 1851, and in 1852 was elected district attorney, and in the same year chairman of the board of supervisors. In 1861 he was elected State Senator from the La Crosse district. In 1862 he was elected circuit judge of the sixth judicial district of Wisconsin, which post he filled with honor six years. In 1876 he retired from the practice of the law.
Charles Husted located at Mason City in 1869 and began the practice of law. He at first opened an office alone, but afterward became a partner of John Clig- gett. He remained for about four years when he went to Manchester, Iowa, and afterward to the Indian Territory.
Charles MeKenzie became a member of the Cerro Gordo county bar, by locating at Mason City about the same time as Husted. He came here from Dubuque, where his father and brother were among the most prominent business men. He re- mained at Mason City, engaged in practice, for several years, when he moved to Sioux City, and from there to Dunlap, Iowa, where he still lives. Charles Mckenzie was both naturally and by education a snart fellow. He was well posted in law and upon almost all subjects, and had a most retentive memory. He was a brill- iant speaker, and popular among all classes.
Frank M. Goodykoontz located at Ma- son City in 1869, and opened a law office. He grew to be one of the most powerful criminal lawyers in the State. His prac- tice grew to be immense, extending all over the district. In 1879 he was elected
53
.
--
634
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
to the State Senate, but resigned after at- tending one session, and H. G. Parker was elected as his successor. In 1882 Mr. Goodykoontz moved to Dakota, where he has already attained prominence in politi- cal and legal circles.
In the spring of 1870, D. G. Gibson lo- cated at Mason City, and opened a law office. He was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in May, 1844. His early life was spent in his native county, where he received an academic education and for some time was taught by a private teach- er. When about eighteen years of age, having developed a taste for the legal profession, he entered the law office of Henry R. Mygatt, of Oxford, for the pur- pose of fitting himself for the practice of law. Subsequently he emigrated to Wis- consin, where he was admitted to the bar in 1868. He followed his profession in Wadison until the spring of 1870, when he came to Mason City. In 1872 he removed to Waverly, Iowa, where he still lives. lle is now of the firm of Gibson & Daw- son, the leading law firm of Bremer county.
Judge Bancroft located at Mason City in 1871, and became a law partner of Charles IIusted. He only remained here for about one year. He was a good lawyer and an intelligent man.
The Preston brothers came from Rock- ford, Iowa, about 1874 and established a law and land office in Mason City. After try- ing their fortunes here for about one and a half years they left. One of them is now at Mitchell, D. T. They were men of good natural and acquired ability, but did not succeed in getting enough practice to develop their worth.
E. W. Whittlesey came from Illinois, and, in 1876, located at Mason City, opened a law office, and afterwards became a part- ner of D. W. Telford. He remained here for a few years and then located at Clear Lake. He is now in Dakota.
E. S. Wheeler was born in Oregon, Ogle Co., Ill., April 5, 1858. His parents were E. R. and Harriet (Stewart) Wheeler. His mother was an early settler of Win- nebago county, and his father was a pio neer of Ogle county. In Ogle county Mr. Wheeler, Sr., engaged in trade, going thence to Rockford, Ill., and later to Chi- cago, where he died Oct. 14, 1871. Mr. Wheeler, of this sketch, was educrted at Rockford Academy. In 1875 he entered the office of McDavid & Knight, Chicago, going to Union Law College of Chicago, in 1876, where he graduated in 1878. In October of that year he came to Nora Springs, Floyd county, and began the practice of his profession. He came to Mason City in 1880, and the law firm of Goodykoontz, Blythe & Wheeler was es- tablished. This relation was a brief one, and in October, 1881, Wr Wheeler entered into partnership with M. S. Schermer- horn, which was dissolved in the spring of 1882. Mr. Wheeler returned to Nora Springs and embarked in a banking enter- prise. He was married in the fall of 1879 to Chloe I., daughter of IIon. W. P. Gay- lord, of Floyd county. They have two sons-Edwin G. and Arthur R. Mr. Wheeler belongs to the I. O. O. F. and Patriarchal Circle.
A. B. Tuttle was the first lawyer to lo- cate at Clear Lake. He remained in prac- tice there for a number of years, when he
635
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
removed to Mason City, where he still lives.
James Crow was the second lawyer to locate at Clear Lake. He was the sur- veyor who laid out the town and erected the first house of any dimensions there. He had been admitted to the bar and began practice shortly after his arrival from Vinton, in 1857. He remained there for four or five years, when he went to Hancock county, and later to Nebraska. He was married and had his family with him. He was a man of good natural abil- ity, and a very fair lawyer, but hardly met with the success he deserved.
Nathan Bass was a member of the Cerro Gordo county bar for several years, located at Clear Lake. He went to Kansas.
M. P. Rosecrans came here originally in 1857, but came to permanently locate in 1866. He at once began the practice of law in which he is still engaged.
Alexander Campbell came to Clear Lake from Wisconsin in 1869, and became a law partner of M. P. Rosecrans. He was afterwards postmaster at Clear Lake. He remained here until 1876, and after trying several places has finally located at Taco- na, W. T., where he is still engaged in practice. He was a man of good ability and met with success at the bar.
P. J. Dougherty was the first lawyer to locate at Rockwell. He is now a resident of Mason City, still pursuing his profes- sion.
J. H. McConlogue was the second law- yer to locate at Rockwell. He has lived in the township since boyhood, and at- tended the State University, graduating from the law department of that institu- tion in 1882.
J. II. Briden was admitted to the bar in Cerro Gordo county in 1879, and began the practice of law at Plymouth, also en- gaging in the newspaper business. He was one of the poor New York boys who had been sent out in the prairie country to grow up. Ile was full of energy, an untiring worker, and soon gained an edu- cation. He was naturally smart, and with his other good traits will probably make his mark in life. He is now in Dakota. THE PRESENT BAR.
In 1883 the bar of Cerro Gordo county embraced the following gentlemen and firms : Capt. G. R. Miller, John Clig- itt, Morris Cligitt, P. J. Dougherty, M. S. Schermerhorn, Stanbery & Clark, Blythe & Markley, Glass & Hughes, Wil- bur & Sherwin, A. H. Cummings, F. J. Bush, David Hurn, J. L. Lee, J. C. Adams, M. P. Rosecrans, George E. Frost and J. H. Conlogue.
John S. Stanbery, of the firm of Stan- bery & Clark, attorneys came to Cerro Gordo county in 1858. His first occupa- tion was teaching, which he pursued here and in Hancock county for a number of years. He went into his father's office in 1866, and, in the following year, began reading for his profession. In the spring of 1868 he attended the law department of the Iowa State University, and was graduated in 1869. He has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, and in 1871 formed a connection with D. T. Gibson, now of Waverly, which con- tinned until 1873. In 1874 he formed his present business relation with J. J. Clark. Mr. Stanbery was married June 29, 1873, to Laura J. Ives, born in Mt. Holly, Rut- land Co., Vt. She died Aug. 19, 1875.
636
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
Ile was married again in October, 1876, to Martha A. Waldo, a graduate of Mil- ton Academy, Wisconsin. She came to Mason City in 1870, and was employed as teacher in the high school, They have two children-Anna W. and Ralph S. Mr. Stanbery was born in Mercer Co., Ohio, Sept. 28, 1846. He is a republican in political sentiment, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity.
Captain George R. Miller, one of the old settlers of Iowa and at present a resi- dent of Mas n City, was born in Craw- ford Co., Penn., Jan. 21, 1831. His par- ents, Abram and Nancy ( Ross ) Miller, both now deceased, were among the first settlers of the county in which the subject of this sketch was born. Mr. Miller emi- grated to the State of Iowa and settled in Allamakee county in October, 1856. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to learn the tailors trade and served his full time, three years, in the town of Smithfield, Penn. During the time he was working at his trade, by improving his leisure hours, he prepared himself to teach, and on the expiration of his time, commenced teaching in Erie Co., Penn., and taught for eight years in the public schools until he came west. At the age of twenty-six years he commenced the study of law, was admitted to practice at Lansing, Alla- makee county, in 1859, and continued to practice law in that county until 1868, at which time he removed to Mason City, Cerro Gordo county. For six years there- after he was the law partner of Hon. I. W. Card. The firm is now Miller & Cli- gitt and has a high standing in northern Iowa. In 1861 Mr. Miller received a
lieutenant's commission from Adjutant General Baker and recruited for the 1st Iowa Cavalry, and the 5th and 12th Iowa Infantry. The next year he recruited company I, 27th Iowa Infantry and went into the service as captain, serving until June, 1863, when his health became so poor from long continued sickness and exposure, that he was discharged from service. He represented Allamakee coun- ty as a member of the twelfth General Assembly, being in the lower house. He has been quite active in politics since he became a resident of Iowa, and was a dele- gate to the National democratic conven- tion in 1876, at St. Louis. He has occu pied many stations of trust and responsi- bility of minor importance; was presi- dent of the Cerro Gordo County Agricul- tural Society for four years ; president of the board of trade, Mason City ; is now serving his third term on the board of education in Mason City as president ; and is grand master of the order of United Workmen for Iowa. In June, 1853, he married Mary E. Burchinal, of Fayette Co., Penn. They have five chil- dren, all born in Iowa. The eldest, R. J. Miller, late principal of schools at Rock- well, Iowa, is twenty-four years of age ; Ella ( Miller ) Loring, wife of H. P. Lor- ing, twenty-three years old ; Thomas B., principal of schools at Plymouth, twenty- one years old ; Will E., eighteen years of age, and Lulu May, twelve years old. Mr. Miller has a liberal education, obtained through his own exertions without assist- ance, save diligence and perseverance. He has been successful in his profession ; is, and always has been, identified with whatever is calculated to promote the
r
3
637
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
best interests of society, and may be said to be one of the live men of northern Iowa. In religion, Mr. Miller is a Bap- tist; is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and an Odd Fellow since 1852.
John Cligitt, junior partner of the law firn of Miller & Cligitt, Mason City was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Ang. 25, 1840. He came to Mason City, Iowa, in 1871, where he has since lived, en- gaged in the practice of law. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Burlington, Vt., residing there until the spring of 1850, at which time they settled in Ken- dall Co., III., where John was brought up on a farm, receiving a common school education. He afterwards divided his time for some years between farm work, teaching school and reading law. He attended the Chicago law school and re- ceived his first certificate of admission to the bar, from the Supreme Court of Illi- nois, in the spring of 1869. Coming to Iowa without financial means and wholly unaquainted, he had his full share of difficulties to contend with. But with good health and persevering efforts he has successfully established himself in the legal profession. In the spring of 1881 he was elected mayor of Mason City, in which office he is now serving his fourth term. Ile is a law partner of Hon. G. R. Miller and is one of the rising men of the State.
R. Wilbur, of the firm of Wilbur & Sherwin, Mason City, came to Cerro Gordo county in 1871, and has since been actively engaged at his profession.
Mr. Sherwin, junior member of the firm of Wilbur & Sherwin, is a self-made man, has acquired a good legal education and
is to-day among the most prominent law- yers in Cerro Gordo county.
John D. Glass, of the firm of Glass & Hughes, became a resident at Mason City in 1871, and in 1875 formed a partnership with C. II. Hughes. Mr. Glass was born in Monroe Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1845. He received a good common school training, supplemented by a course of academic study. In 1870 he was graduated at the Law Department of the Iowa State University, and in the fall of the same year he went to West Union, where he began the prac- tice of law. In 1878 he was elected mayor of Mason City. In 1882 the county pre- sented his name for member of Congress from his district . Mr. Glass was married in January. 1871, to Alice, daughter of James Remley, of Johnson Co., Iowa. She is a graduate of the Academic Depart- ment of the Iowa State University. They have one child-Eva. In August, 1883, Mr. Glass was nominated as republican candidate for Senator from the forty- third senatorial district of Iowa, and the campaign opens with the best of pros- peets for his election.
J. J. Clark, junior member of the law firm of Stanbery & Clark, located at Mason City in 1874, and formed conjointly with J. S. Stanbery, the relation represented by the above named style.
Mr. Clark was born in Madison Co., Ky., Oct. 30, 1851. His father, James W. Clark, was a Presbyterian preacher and was, during his life, twice a delegate to the Presbyterian, General Assembly. His mother, Martha (Embray) Clark, was born in Kentucky where her father was a set- tler cotemporaneously with Daniel Boone and her relatives intermarried with those
638
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
of Henry Clay. They were both of Scotch- Irish descent. They removed to Saline Co., Mo., not far from Lexington, when Mr. Clark was three years old, the place where Col. Mulligan surrendered to Gen. Price. In 1865 they went to Nebraska City, and in 1866 Mr. Clark went to Cla- rinda, Iowa. He attended the law de- partment of Iowa State University, and was graduated in 1873, and was one of the ten who received commencement honors. . He was married in September, 1875, to Ida B., daughter of Rev. W. A. Chambers, a Methodist clergyman. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have had three children, two of whom are living-Edie W. and Fred- erick J. The family are members of the Methodist Church.
A. H. Cummings was born in Newport, Vt., Feb. 17, 1850. His parents were Lorenzo and S. (Sylos) Cummings. There were three sons and three daughters in the family. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, securing an aca- demic education, also spending .a year at Dartmouth College. He then entered a law office at Newport, where he spent one year. In 1871 he came to Mason City and entered the law office of Stanbery & Gibson, and the following fall was ad- mitted to the bar. Since March, 1873, he has practiced law. In 1873 he was mar- ried in Newport to Idella Blake, a daugh- ter of William Blake. Two children- Jane and Albert have blessed this union. Mr. Cummings is a member of the A. O. U. W. and also of the Odd Fellows order and K. of P.
C. H. Hughes, of the firm of Glass & Hughes, attorneys, came to Mason City in the fall of 1875, and soon after formed
his present business relation. He was born in Lee Co., Iowa, Jan. 14, 1851. His parents, H. W. and Anna (Hillis) Hughes, came from Pennsylvania to Lee county in 1840, when Iowa was a territory. There the senior Hughes took up land and im- proved a farm, where he still resides. Mr. Hughes, of this sketch, was brought up on his father's farm, and was well ed- ucated. In 1872 he began to read law in the office of Judge Beck, of Fort Madi- son, Iowa, where he remained two years. In 1874 he attended the law department of the Iowa State University and grad- nated in the class of 1875. Mr. Hughes was married in the fall of 1877 to Minnie E., daughter of A. B. Tuttle. She was born in Clear Lake township in 1855. They have a son -Allen L. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes belong to the Baptist Church.
James E. Blythe, senior member of the law firm of Blythe & Markley, of Mason City, was born in Cranberry, N. J., Jan. 20, 1855. His parents settled in Jefferson Co., Ind., when he was two years old. There he grew up and received the benefit of the common schools. He entered Hanover College in 1870, from which he grad- uated in 1877. He came to Mason City in August of that year, and began the study of law in the office of Goodykoontz & Wilbur. He was admitted to the bar the following year, and formed a partner- ship with the senior member of the firm where he studied law. In September, 1880, the firm became Goodykoontz, Blythe & Wheeler. This relation was of
brief duration. In September, 1881, the firm became Goodykoontz, Blythe & Markley. The senior member withdrew after a short time. The firm is adjudged one of the strongest and ablest law firms
639
HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
in Cerro Gordo county and is doing a heavy business. Mr. Blythe was married in June, 1881, to Grace B., daughter of J. B Smith, of Queensville, Ind. They have one child-Maud A.
J. E. E. Markley, of the law firm of Blythe & Markley, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, April 2, 1857. His parents, James M. and Catherine (Ankeny) Markley, re- moved to Ohio in 1810, being pioneers of that State. They removed to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, in 1866, where the father died in 1872; the mother is still living at Cedar Falls. Mr. Markley was raised on a farm, and spent three years in study at Cornell College. In 1877 and 1878 he was a stu- dent in the law department of the Iowa State University, where he graduated in the class of 1878. After his college days he passed three years in Marshall- town, Iowa, in the office of Brown & Bin- ford. In September, 1881, he came to Mason City and formed a partnership with Goodykoontz & Blythe, a relation soon changed by the withdrawal of the senior partner. In politics he is a democrat, and is at present chairman of the democratic county central committee of the county.
D. W. Telford, attorney, real estate and loan broker, is located in the postoffice building in Mason City, where he has been operating since Dec. 24, 1881. He was born in DeKalb Co., Ill., Nov. 17, 1851. His parents, Francis and Julia Ann (Sutton) Telford, were married in De Kalb county and there reared their family, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Tel- ford is the eldest son. He was brought up on a farm, went to the public schools and attended Madison University of Wis- consin. He entered the law office of
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.