USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 39
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That Gov. Eastman has in him a heart, is evident, from the fact in the reform school trouble, an account of which will be found in the history of that institution, he devoted seventy days to the trial, prosecut- ing on the part of the State against the superintendent, for which he received nothing, except the satisfaction of seeing a radical reform in the management of the institution, and it be made as he expressed it, "a humane institution, not a prison, a home, not a bastile."
In 1850, Gov. Eastman became a mem- ber of Triluminar Lodge, No. 18, Oska- loosa, since which time he has been an active member of the order. He was a representative of his lodge to the Grand Lodge in 1855, 1857 and 1861, on all of which occasions he was of great service on committees, chiefly those of grievance and jurisprudence, as well as in the con- sideration of important questions arising
in the Grand Lodge. He was also present at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge in 1865, and was one of a committee of three to prepare an expression of feeling prevailing in Grand Lodge, relative to the assassination of President Lincoln. Since that time professional duties have pre- vented his attendance at Grand Lodge. In 1857 and also in 1858 he was elected Grand High Priest in the Grand Chapter.
In religious matters, Gov. Eastman is a Unitarian, but there being no organization of that denomination in Eldora, he wor- ships with the Congregationalists.
He was united in marriage January 8, 1845, with Sarah Caroline Greenough, of Canterbury, New Hampshire. She was a graduate of Bradford Seminary, Massa- chusetts, and was a highly accomplished lady, an excellent wife and mother. From this marriage survive four children; three girls and one boy. Returning home from the Grand Lodge, in Dubuque, in 1861, he found his wife delirious with typhoid fever, of which she died, without recogniz- ing him after his return. In 1865 he was again married, uniting with Miss Amanda Hall, by whom he has one son.
Gov. Eastman stands six feet one inch in height, and weighs about one hundred and seventy-five pounds. He has a spare form, quite muscular, and capable of endur- ing much fatigue. He has an ample chest, with wholesome lungs and good digestive
apparatus. He has a positive mental temperament, a large and active brain, and expressive features. His head is covered with a heavy growth of dark hair, now tinged with gray. His character gathers strength from the base of his brain. He has large firmness, intuitive and logical,
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and comprehends the law of cause and. effect, or the laws of analogy, by which the true relations of society are determined by the natural laws of their being. In his life he is consistent, and in his declarations earnest and eloquent. He never wavers, but is always true to his convictions.
James W. Wood, one of the oldest set- tlers and the oldest practicing attorney in the State of Iowa, is a native of Massa- chnsetts, being born in Middlesex county, April 30, 1800. When quite young, his father emigrated to New Hampshire, and when yet a lad, J. W. went to Lewisburg, Virginia, and began the study of law with Cyrus & Carsy, completing his studies with William Smith, afterwards a member of Congress. On the 10th of March, 1827, he was admitted to the Bar, and immedi- ately came west and located in Illinois, where he practiced law some years, and was contemporaneous with Lincoln, Douglas, Baker, Shields, Trumbull, Brown- ing, Walker, and others of the most emi- nent men of that State. In 1833, in company with five others, he crossed the Mississippi near where Burlington now stands, and built a cabin, but did not make a permanent settlement until 1834. In 1837 he was appointed first city solicitor of Burlington, which office he held several years. He was secretary of the first terri- torial council which convened at Iowa City, 1840-41. He was Secretary of the first Senate, in 1846-47.
From 1847 to 1854 he was Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Iowa. In 1866 he located in Butler county; and in 1868 removed to Bremer county; and in 1881 to Steamboat Rock, Hardin county. The Colonel has always taken an active
part in the politics of the State, and has been a Democrat of the most strictest sect of their religion.
No man in the State of Iowa has led a more active life than Col. James W. Wood. He has aided in the organization of more than half of the counties in this State, and was present at the first term of their courts, Hardin county among the number. No man is more widely known throughout the State than Col. Wood, or "Old Tim- ber," as he is familiarly known-a name given him by Judge McFarland, with whom he was intimately associated. Prac- ticing law at a time when it was customary to "follow the circuit," or go with the judge from county to county where court was to be held, he has almost continuously followed the custom. He calls himself an "itinerant lawyer." In a neighboring county, some years ago, he was asked by a young attorney to explain to the court what he meant by an "itinerant lawyer;" he had often heard of an itinerant preacher, but the books said nothing of an itinerant lawyer. In explanation, the colonel said: "An itinerant lawyer is one who follows the circuit for the purpose of aiding young attorneys who have cheek enough to take a case, but with neither sense nor ability enough to successfully try it." The young lawyer was satisfied.
On one occasion "Old Timber" incurred the displeasure of his honor, Judge McFar- land, who fined him $50 for contempt of court. The next day the judge, desiring to go hunting, called the colonel to pre- side. The first business in the morning was the reading of the proceedings of the court of the previous day. When read, "Old Timber" turned to the clerk, ordering
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him to remit the fine, which was accord- ingly done. On the following day, when McFarland was on the bench, his surprise was great, indeed, when the clerk read the report, that the fine had been remitted, and he quickly asked what it meant. The clerk quietly replied that the fine had been remitted by the court on the previous day. The judge had nothing to say .
Allen Greer was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 4, 1822, where he grew to manhood, and in 1846 married Rebecca Bradfield, a native of Virginia, born No- vember 24, 1828. About the time of his marriage he read law and was admitted to the Bar. When the gold excitement in California broke out, he went to that Eldorado and remained one year. Return- ing home, with his family emigrated to Iowa, and located at Oskaloosa, where he remained three years, engaged in the mercantile trade and in the practice of his profession. He then came to Jackson township, where he had entered a section of land, but soon afterwards engaged in the mercantile business at Berlin, a town which laid out on section 22. His health being poor, he devoted but little time to the practice of law, but gave more of his attention to farming. In the early days of the war he assisted in raising a company for the 32d Iowa Infantry, and was com- missioned Second Lieutenant. He re- signed the office toward the close of the war on account of ill health. He after- wards engaged in business at Iowa Falls, but was not able to practice his profession. Mr. and Mrs. Greer were the parents of eight children-Henry C., William A., Mary E, Eva L., Josephine, Carrie L., Emma E. and Ida B. Several years after
the close of the war Mr. Greer took a trip to Colorado with a view to benefitting his health, and was gone six months. He died on his farm, three miles north of Berlin, March 5, 1875. His widow now resides in Eldora.
Josephus Eastman was a native of New Hampshire, and was born in 1822. He received his literary education in Hartford College, and also graduated from the law department of that institution. He located in Boston in the practice of his profession about 1848, and remained there ten years. In 1858 he came to Eldora, and for a time was a law partner of his brother, E. W. Eastman. He went from here to Grin- nell in 1863, from which place, after the close of the war, he went to Missouri, and from there to Dickinson county, Kansas, where he died about 1872.
O. W. Garrison, of Iowa Falls, is a na- tive of New York, being born in Mecklen- berg, in that State, in 1840. He came to Oregon, Illinois, in 1857. He studied law in the office of Hon. H. A. Mix, and was admitted to the Bar in 1861. In 1866 he came to Iowa Falls, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He was the first Mayor of that town. For several years past he has been editor and proprie- tor of the Iowa Falls Sentinel. Fvery enterprise calculated to build up the town of Iowa Falls meets him with his cordial approval and active assistance.
John F. Brown located at Iowa Falls in the fall of 1855. He was a native of New York, and educated himself for a lawyer. He was a good scholar, with fair literary attainments. He was also quite a politi- cian, and, while in Hardin county, devoted the better part of his time to politics. He
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had learned the art of making a poiltical speech to perfection, and was regarded as the best political and temperance orator ever in the county. While in this county he showed little adaptability to the profes- sion of law, did but little business, and with little success. He subsequently moved to Washington county, where he now re- sides. Since leaving this county he has devoted less time to politics and more to his profession, and has met with good suc- cess in the profession, and accumulated a competency.
M. P. Rosecrans was a man of limited education, and engaged in farming when he came to Hardin county, in 1855. He was a man of some native ability and stu- dious habits. He was not a thorough law- yer, and has never been a success in the profession. He was admitted to the Bar in Hardin county, and moved to Hancock county about 1859, where he has practiced his profession, and has been County Judge of that county. He afterwards moved to Clear Lake, in Cerro Gordo county, where he now resides, at times an editor and en- gaged in various avocations.
A. Pratt Roberts is a Pennsylvanian, and located at Ackly among the first citi- zens of the town. He had been admitted to the Bar, and claimed to be an educated lawyer; practiced his profession but little in this county, and engaged in mercantile trade in Ackly. He left the county some years ago.
E. M. Finkbone came to Eldora from Ohio, as a traveling insurance agent, in 1878. He was a young man with bu: little attainments in a literary point of view or his profession. He was of a rough char- acter, and provoked a quarrel by slander-
ing a young lady in Eldora, which resulted in an assault upon his person by a young man by the name of Teiege, which came near resulting in his death. He remained here about a year, and then went West.
- Cassiday was an Irishman by birth, and a man of fair education and a fair lawyer. He came to this county about 1874, from Wisconsin. He was a man with a great fund of wit and sarcasm, but showed no marked ability in his profes- sion. He remained here about two years, and removed to one of the north western counties of Iowa, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession.
W. N. Davidson was a scholarly man, a man of good literary attainments. He was a native of Ohio, and located in Franklin at an early day, and remained there till about 1874, when he sold out his practice and removed to Ackly, where he remained about four years, and then moved to Minnesota, where he now re- sides.
L. H. Evans was a man about thirty-five years of age when he came to this country, about 1873, and located at Union, where he commenced the practice of his profes- sion, but by peculation in business proved himself to be an immoral man. He was subsequently indicted for embezzlement in Marshall county and placed in jail; escap- ing therefrom, he has never been heard from.
J. C. Adams was a farmer, and about ten years ago commenced to educate him- self as a lawyer. He engaged in the pro- fession for a time at Union, and is now at Radcliff.
A. C. Murphy was at one time a promi- nent lawyer in Wisconsin; came to this
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county about 1872, and located at Ackley. He was a man of intemperate habits. He left about 1877.
Samuel A. Reed, Esq., attorney, is a native of Indiana, where he was born in 1839. He removed with his parents to Ohio, where he lived about five years, and thence to Wisconsin, where he lived eleven years, and thence to the State of Iowa. He enlisted, in 1861, in Company E, Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served in the army about five years. He participated in many hard-fought battles. At the battle of Champion Hills he was severely wounded, his skull being frac- tured; when taken up he was supposed to be dead, and was being removed with the dead for burial when consciousness re- turned, and he was rescued from a fate terrible to contemplate. When he had sufficiently recovered he was made a First Lieutenant in a colored regiment, which position he held about one year, when he was promoted to a Captaincy, serving two years. A greater part of the time while Captain, was on the staff of Gen. Hawkins as Ordnance Officer. He began the study of law, after the war, at Independence, in this State, with J. S. Woodward, Esq .; was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1867, and located at Ackley immediately after, where he remained one year, then came here and became associated with H. L. Huff, Esq., with whom he continued till April 1, 1881. His wife was Lydia Raymond. They have one son, John.
S M. Weaver, attorney, of the firm of Weaver & Woods, is a native of Fredonia, New York, where he was born in 1844. He read law with the firm of Warren & Morris in his native village; was admitted
to the Bar in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1868 He came to Iowa Falls and entered into the practice of his profession early in 1869. IIe continued in practice till 1874, when he assumed editorial charge of the Iowa Falls Sentinel. He resumed the practice of law in 1876. Mr. Weaver is a success- ful lawyer, and has a large and growing practice. The firm of Weaver & Woods has also established a collecting and loan office. Mr. Woods is also the present cashier of the Commercial Bank of Iowa Falls. Mrs. Weaver was formerly Miss Sarah Lucas, daughter of Abram Lucas, an early settler of Albion, Marshall county. They have four children, three sons and one daughter.
Martin W. Anderson, attorney, is a native of Upper Canada, where he was born November 21, 1819. His parents were native Americans. He received a mercantile education, and went to Illinois in 1838; read law and was admitted to the Bar in 1853. He has been in the exclusive practice of law since the latter part of 1857. He came to Iowa Falls in Dccem- ber, 1865.
F. W. Pillsbury, attorney, of the firm of Huff & Pillsbury. Mr. Pillsbury is a a native of Maine, having been born in 1845. When ten years of age, he removed with his parents to Livingston county, Ill., where his father still resides. Mr. Pills- bury began the study of law at Pontiac, Ill., in 1868, with his father, Judge N. J. Pillsbury, and was admitted to the Bar October 17, 1869. He located at Union, Hardin county, and engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in 1874. His present partnership with H. L Huff, Esq., was formed April 1, 1882. Married Catherine
Judge & Mr. dreams rom 1844 sts 60 years
4-14-1905 g.n.R
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Parke, a native of Maryland. They have one daughter-Gracie.
A. M. Bryson was born in Hartford, Conn., in October, 1844. His parents were of Scotch descent, but were born in Con- necticut. His father, James Bryson, was for many years a large manufacturer of woolen goods. In 1850 the family mi- grated to Allamakee county, Iowa.
In 1861 the subject of this sketch en- listed in the United States service; was transferred to Company L, 27th Iowa, and served nearly two years, when he was dis- charged on account of physical disability. He then returned to Iowa, re-entered the Upper Iowa University, and remained until March, 1864. He then went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he took a course at the Eastman Business College.
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In December, 1865, Mr. Bryson returned to Iowa, and for two years was engaged in mercantile business at Nashua, Chickasaw county. During this time he also read law, and in 1868 was admitted to the Bar in Bremer county. After being admitted to the Bar, Mr. Bryson was engaged in insurance and other business until 1873, since which time he has been located at Ackley, and engaged in a general law and collection business. He was married in December, 1865, to Miss C. H. Allen. They have three sons and two daughters. J. H. Scales is a native of Galena, Ill., and he was born on the 18th day of De- cember, 1844. His father, Joseph Scales, is a native of Rockingham county, N. C., and his mother, Nancy (Trumbeau) Scales, is a native of the State of Kentucky.
The subject of this sketch completed his school days at the University of the Lake, at Chicago; subsequently read law
with P. B. Simpson as preceptor, and on the 29th day of April, 1869, he was admit- ted to the Bar of Lafayette county, Wis.
In April, 1870, Mr. Scales located at Ackley, and has since been engaged in a general law and collection business, and, as he has given his entire attention to his profession, is now a prominent and suc- cessful member of the Bar.
In March, 1882, Mr. Scales associated with J. W. Blakey as partners, since which time the firm has been J. H. Scales & Co.
In politics, Mr. Scales is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a charter member of the Knights of Honor, and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor.
Mr. Scales was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ivey, daughter of Richard Ivey, of Shullsburg, Wis, and they now have three children-Elmo, Ora and Alfred
William V. Allen was born in Madison county, Ohio, January 28, 1847, his parents being Samuel and Phæba (Pugh) Allen.
In 1856 the family came to Iowa, and settled in Nevada, Story county. Here the subject of this sketch helped till the soil for a few years, but when the civil war broke out William V. Allen, although a mere boy fifteen years of age, had his soul so stirred to action that in 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 32d Iowa Volun- teers, and served three years and twelve days. During nine months of the time in service he was special dispatch carrier for Maj. Gcer. At the close of the rebellion Mr. Allen returned to Iowa, and realizing the necessity of a better education, entered the Upper Iowa University, where he re- mained over two years. He then com- mencod the study of law with Hon. L. L.
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Ainsworth, of West Union, as preceptor, and was admitted to the Bar May 1, 1868.
After being admitted to the Bar, he practiced law in Fayette county until Feb- ruary, 1874, since which time he has been located at Ackley.
Mr. Allen was a Republican until 1872, when he supported Horace Greeley, of whom he was a great admirer. He was subsequently a candidate, on the Demo- cratic ticket, for State Senator, and in the fall of 1878 was a candidate for Congress against Hon. N. C. Deering, but was de- feated with the rest of the ticket. He has been City Mayor one term. In 1880 he supported James A. Garfield. Thus it can be seen that Mr. Allen is not a strict party man, but always asserts his right as an American citizen by voting for whoever he may deem the best man for the place. At Fayette, Iowa, on the 2d day of May, 1870, he married Miss E. Blanche Mott, daughter of A. J. Mott, of Fayette. They have three children, Lulu E, Henry B., and an infant.
Fred. Gilman, one of the prominent members of the legal profession of Hardin county, is the youngest son of Dr. Z. Gil- man and Miss Naoma (McNeal) Gilman, and he was born in Piermont, Grafton county, New Hampshire, on the 13th day of December, 1849.
When he was fifteen years of age, he removed with his parents to Morrisville, Vermont, but he was subsequently edu- cated at Meridino, New Hampshire, where he graduated in June, 1867.
He then taught two terms in the Acad- emy at Albany, Vermont, but he did not wish to follow teaching as a livelihood in the future; he therefore commenced the
study of law in the office of Powers & Gleed, of Morrisville, was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1869, and in the month of December following, although but nineteen years of age, he was made Master in Chancery of the Supreme Court of the State.
Mr. Gilman soon concluded to seek his fortune in the west, and accordingly, in April, 1870, immigrated to Iowa, and lo- cated at the young and thriving town of Ackley. Here he has given his entire at- tention to his profession, aud has therefore a large practice in the counties of Hardin, Franklin, Grundy and Butler. His law library, which contains nearly five hun- -dred (500) volumes, is one of the best to be found in this part of the State.
In politics Mr. Gilman is a Republican, but has never had a desire to hold public office. He has been a member of the Ackley fire department since its organiza- tion. He is a Royal Arch Mason, being a member of the Chapter at Hampton.
Mr. Gilman, in June, 1873, was united in marriage with Miss Cora Burns, daugh- ter of Michael Burns. They have two children, Lou and Burnie.
John S. Roberts is a native of Frederick- town, Knox county, Ohio; born July 18th, 1854. His parents, John B. and Jane S. (Struble) Roberts, were both natives of New Jersey. They reared a family of eleven (11) children, seven of whom are now living-three sons and four daughters.
The subject of this sketch received a good common school education, and in 1871 came to Ackley. Here he first clerked in a grocery store, then worked in a printing office about eighteen months, and subsequently worked at various em-
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ployments until 1874, at which date he clerked in a drug store a few months, dur- ing which time he commenced the study of medicine and continued the same about two years; but as he was too tender-hearted to withstand the trials and scenes of a physician and surgeon, he gave up the study.
As Mr. Roberts always depended upon himself for support he learned the painter's trade while he was pursuing the study of medicine, this he continued, and in Octo- ber, 1878, commenced reading law with J. H. Scales as preceptor, and on the 16th day of September, 1879, was admitted to the Bar in Butler county. After being admitted to the Bar Mr. Roberts con- tinued reading in the office of his precep- tor until January, 1881, when he opened an office, and has since been engaged in a general law and and collection business.
He is a Republican in politics, and is at present City Attorney of Ackley. Mr Roberts was married June 23, 1881, at Ackley, to Miss Sarah Loosa, daughter of Martin Loosa, of Ackley. They have one daughter-Edith L.
Charles E. Albrook, attorney, Eldora, firm of Porter & Albrook, was born in Clarion county, Pa., in 1850. He removed to Delaware county, Iowa, with his parents, in 1857 His father, Frank Albrook, was born in Union county, Pa., of English parentage. His mother was a native of Wurtenburg,Germany. The grandfather of Mr. Albrook was born in England, but fought in the war of 1812 on the side of the Americans. Mr. Albrook graduated at Cornell College in 1874, and was engaged for a year afterward in teaching. He came to Eldora and entered the office of
Porter & Moir in 1876, and was admitted to the Bar in May, 1877. The present partnership was formed September 1, 1882. Married Addie, daughter of Nelson Gibbs.
Benjamin P. Birdsall, one of the rising young attorneys of Hardin county, and son of Benjamin and Anna (Hyde) Bird- sall, was born in Weyanwega, Wis., October 26, 1858. In 1871 his parents came to Alden, and here he attended the public school, and afterward three years at the Iowa State University. He then began the study of law with C. M. Nagle, of Alden, and was admitted to the Bar in 1878, at the age of twenty years, and im- mediately began the practice at Alden. In August, 1880, in company with W. W. Jones, postmaster of Alden, he bought the Alden Times. In politics, is Republican. He is a member of the village council and President of the School Board. He was married in December, 1877, to Miss Bertha H. Shultz, daughter of Frederick Shultz, of Alden. One son has been born to them-Maurice. His father is a native of Chenango county, N. Y., and his mother of Cataragus county. In 1836 they came west to LaSalle county, Ill., and in 1847 to Waupaca county, Wis. His father laid out and was the founder of Weyan- wega, Wis. In 1871 he came to Hardin county, and is now a resident of Walled Lake, Wright county, where he super- intends the working of his farm of 800 acres, and is the head of the banking house of Benjamin Birdsall & Son, of Alden .
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