USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 41
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seminary in the summer. When 26 years of age he began reading law, and during the following year started west and land- ed in Tama county on the 17th of April, 1856. The same spring he was admitted to the bar and commeneed practice. He has made extensive trips to Kansas, Miss- issippi, and recently to Florida. Mr. Wieting edited for a number of years the Iowa Transcript, the first paper established in the county, and has also at various times been interested in other newspaper enter- prises, as will be seen by a glance at the press chapter. He was prosceuting attor- ney of the county, and has been deputy United States assessor, and also deputy collector of Internal Revenue. Mr. Weiting is a medium sized heavy set man, with dark complexion ; a gentleman in every sense ; unassuming in manner ; yet with the force of will, and confidence in his own resources, which know no such word as fail. lle is an excellent writer, and a man with a vast amount of informa- tion.
Charles J. L. Foster became a member of the bar of Tama county in 1856, loca- ting at Toledo. He was a native . f Michi- gan ; was a married man but left his wife at his old home while he sought a location in the west ; she arrived as soon as he had decided to permanently locate. Ilis father was a prominent and wealthy man in Michigan, and Charles was given the bene- fit of a collegiate education, as well as law training. Ile had been admitted to the bar and had e gaged in practice before coming to Tama county. He was a good lawyer and a fair orator, although the business of the
then new country did not furnish enough work to keep him busy. After three years sojourn in Toledo he removed to Powesh- iek county. Hc afterward represented that county in the Lower House of the General Assembly of the State
Eugene B. Bolens came to Tama county locating at Toledo in the summer of 1856. He was a native of Ohio ; a married man and brought his family, con- sisting of a wife and one child, with him. They both died shortly after his arrival. For a time he was engaged in the publication of the Toledo Tribune but de- voted some of his time to the practice of law. He remained until 1860, having been married again in the meantime, and then removed to La Crosse, stopping a short time at various points before reaching his final destination. Bolens was a man hard to describe ; small, quiek, wiry, and of a nervous temperament. He was sharp, quick witted, and, when excited, vindicative and lost his self control. He had formerly been a whig, politically, but something had changed him and while here he was a Democrat and Secessionist, his talk having the same ring of treason; that characterized Brick Pomeroy through the rebellion. As a lawyer he had fair success considering the times ; he was studious and industrious in his business, shrewd and wiry with his cases and a for- cible talker before a jury.
Paul Queal came to Tama county at an carly day from Onondaga county, New York and located at Toledo. He only re- mained a few months when he moved fur- ther west. He was a young man, smart, quick witted and intelligent, with good
L. L. Bailey
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prospeet for success in life.
Albert Stoddard became a member of the Tama county bar in 1859, locating at Toledo. He was a native of Connecticut, but came here from Fort Madison, where he had been for several years, editing a newspaper. He was admitted to the bar at that place, and commenced practice soon after his arrival here. When the war broke out he enlisted, became Captain of Company C., 10th Iowa Infantry, and served to the close of the rebellion. Re- turning, he resumed the practice of law continuing until the time of his death, which took place about 1870. Mr. Stod- dard was a good writer, easy and full of pith, and made an excellent newspaper man ; but did not make as successful a lawyer as his friends had imagined ; not for want of ability, but for some reason he soon lost interest in it. Ile was really more successful than the average lawyer but not what he might have been. He was a good deal of a politician and made a good stump speech. Socially he was a pleasant, genial and rather talkative man, and had an easy, good natured and jovial
disposition which found vent in cracking jokes. Ile was deputy assessor of Inter- nal Revenue, under John Connell, during the Andy Johnson administration. His family remained in Toledo a few years after his death and then removed to Illi- nois.
T. F. Bradford came to Tama county in 1861, and began the practice of law. He wis a native of Tennessee, from which State he had been driven by the excite- ment preceding the war. He had been admitted to the bar and in practice in Tennessee and while here was very suc-
cessful in his profession. He was a good jury lawyer and had a good knowledge and understanding of the law. In June, 1862, he was appointed County Judge by the Board of Supervisors to fill the va- cancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge John Allen. After serving out the unexpired term he returned to the practice of law. In October, 1863, he was elected County .Judge but resigned within a few months to enter the army. When Brad- ford came to Tama county he had a dread of going to war, knowing that in case of capture he would be shown no merey, having formerly been a Sontherner, and was sore afraid that some scheme of con- scription would be inaugurated whereby he would be forced into the service. But as the war progressed he became very pa- triotic and finally returned to Tennessee and volunteered in a regiment which had been raised by his brother. About one- half the regiment was composed of ne- groes, and was stationed at Fort Pillow about seventy miles above Memphis, on the Mississippi. Early in 1864 the Fort was surprised by General Forrest and the whole regiment massacred. T. F. Brad- ford who had been promoted to theCaptain- ey, being shot down whi e holding the Union flag. Mr. Bradford's widow remained in the county four or five years, and subse- quently married Col. C. K. Bodfish. They separated and she removed to Mar- shalltown where her brother, HI. E. J. Boardman lives. T. F. Bradford was a man of great honor and integrity, faithful to a friend and bitter to an enemy. Ile was a pleasant, genial man socially, of easy habits, and made many friends.
John G. Safely was a member of the
11
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Tama county bar, located at Toledo. He was born in Cohoes, New York, Novem- ber 2, 1839, and died in Perry township, July 12, 1879. He was but one year old when his parents moved to Iowa and set- tled in Cedar county, so he knew no other than his lowa home. In boyhood he showed great taste for books, and notwith- standing the imperfect school privileges of a half century ago, as compared w th those of to-day, he made rapid advance- ment, and was early prepared for college. He graduated from Cornell College with full classical honors, in 1859, when he was twenty years of age. The stormy times of 1860-61, soon diverted the attention of the young graduate from any plans for the fu- ture, which he may have entertained. Prompted by a desire to serve his threat- ened country, and to do what he could to avert the danger, in whatever capacity, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Elev- enth Iowa Volunteers. Ifis abilities and brave conduct were such, that, befor the close of the war, he was promoted to the captainey of Company I, same regiment, and served until the close of the rebellion. Of the many engagements in which his regiment participated, the following may be mentioned: Shiloh, Seige of Corinth, Battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta campaign, and the Battle of Atlanta. At the last named, he received a severe wound, from which he never fully recov- ered. In reporting the Battle of Atlanta, Colonel Abercrombie used the following language: "I would make mention of Sergeant Major John G. Safely, who, with the First Sergeant of Company K. John A. Buck (afterward killed-brave fellow),
and a party of picked men numbering thirty or forty, made a dash over the works held by the enemy, bringing back more than their own number as prisoners, amongst whom were a Colonel and a Cap- tain." On January 1, 1865, he was pro- moted to the captainey of Company I, and was mustered out of the service with his regiment at Louisville, Kentucky, July 15, 1865. The war over, and while enjoying needed rest at his father's home, he was nominated and elected by the Republicans of Cedar county, to represent them in the State Legislature. He discharged his du- ties in such a manner as to reflect credit upon the judgment of those who elected him, and honor upon himself. At the ex- piration of his term in the legislature, he re-commenced preparation for his life- work, by entering the law school at Ann Arbor. He graduated in 1867, and came to Toledo, where he formed a partnership with W. HI. Stivers. He was married in 1868 to Miss Jennie Fraseur, of Cedar county. Three children were born to them-Fred, Jessie and Bertha. Mr. Safely continned in active and successful practice until 1876, when, his health fail- ing, he retired to his farm, where he re- mained until the time of his death. Since her husband's demise, Mrs. Safely has sue- cessfully managed her large farm of 1000 acres. The Safely farm lies about three miles southwest from the village of Traer, in Perry township.
Charles II. Crawford was also a member of the Tama county bar for some time, located at Toledo. He was a native of Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, read law and was admitted to the bar at that
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place ; then attended the University of Michigan, and graduated in law. He then returned to La Salle county, Illinois, and in 1869, in company with Hon. L. G. Kinne, came to Iowa and located in Tole- do. For a few months he and Mr. Kinne practiced in partnership, when they dis- solved and L. G. Kinne became a partner of D. D. Appelgate, while Mr. Crawford continued practice alone. He remained in Toledo for about two years, a portion of the time being city attorney ; then re- turned to his old home, Mendota, Illinois. In a short time he removed to the city of Chicago, where he is still following his profession, living in Hyde Park. Craw- ford was a married man, a pleasant, gen- ial, sociable fellow, and a first-rate lawyer.
G. H. Goodrich became a member of the Tama county bar, settling in Toledo in about 1870. He was a native of Massa- chusetts, came to Iowa a few years previ- ous to the time mentioned, and located in Tama City, where he was employed as clerk in one of the banks. After practic- ing for a short time alone, in 1873, he be- came a partner of Judge Geo. R. Struble. This business relation was continued for about four years, when, for two years he practiced alone, and then removed to Mar- shalltown. After a year's sojourn in the latter city, he moved to Des Moines, where he still lives. When last heard from, he was employed as collector for some Chica- go wholesale house. Ile was fine ap- pearing, a good lawyer before a jury, having a good voice, and commanding pres- enee. During his stay in Tama county, he was married.
Ilomer S. Bradshaw located at Toledo
in 1871, and opened a law and collection office. Ile came from Mechanicsville, Iowa, where he had been employed for a number of years as principal of the pub- lic schools. He was a well educated man, and had a comparatively good practice, proving himself of more than ordinary legal ability. He has recently removed to Ida Grove, Iowa, where he is still in prac- tice.
William Reickhoff came to Tama coun- ty and located in Toledo, in 1862, engag- ing at black-smithing. In 1872 he sold his shop and engaged in the law and real estate business. In 1875 he began ab- stracting and remained here until 1881. He was a native of Germany, or at least of that descent, and was a married man. As to law, he never pretended to do very mueh, devoting his whole attention to real estate, abstract and loaning business. He was a careful and untiring business man, thoroughly honest and reliable, and be- camé rich while here. Ile was very out- spoken, and in argument or discussion, when excited, would talk very plain, re- gardless of other's feelings, being hard to manage in this respect, although, consid- erable of a politician, he never held any office here, it being thought he talked too plain. He never attempted public speak- ing. In 1881, he removed to Orange City, this State, where he still lives.
Michael Austin was a member of the bar of Tama county from 1874 to 1880. He came here from Grinnell, being a grad- nate of the college of that place, and en- tered into partnership with George L. Bailey. Ile was a fair lawyer and had a good promise, although just commencing
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practice, having been admitted to the bar just prior to coming here. He was genial and affable and became popular, serving the city at different times as attorney and mayor. Upon leaving Toledo he returned to Grinnell, gave up the practice of law and became agent for a company handling header harvesters.
About 1874, a couple of young lawyers located in Toledo and opened an office near where the postoffice now stands, and remained for about six months, when they left for parts unknown. Their names can- not be recalled.
R. G. Melntire, the present county aud- itor, practiced law in Toledo for some time, then removed to Traer.
George Raines was for many years one of Toledo's practicing lawyers. Ile was an old settler in the county, and was for many years in the ministry. In 1883 he removed to Dakota.
Charles R. Appelgate was for some time engaged in the practice of law in Toledo, in partnership with his father, D. D. Ap- pelgate. He was a graduate of the law department of the lowa State University.
Among others who have been admitted to the bar here, or who have practiced for a time in Toledo are : Col. John Connell, Daniel Connell, Jr., T. A. Graham, Thomas S. Free, J. W. Stewart.
Personal sketches of most of these gen- themen appear elsewhere in this volume
An attorney named Bangs was one of the first lawyers to locate at Tama City. He lo- eated there in 1866, and remained for nearly two years. None remember where he came from or where he went. Ile was married : about 45 years of age ; a man of considerable ability, well read in law, a
fair speaker and had sufficient "gassy traits," but did little, if any, business while in Tama City.
Mr. Crafts located at Tama City in 1867, and remained for about one year. He came from New York, was a man about thirty years of age, with a family, and had been admitted to the bar previous to his coming here, although not in practice. He was a very good speaker, and was well read in law, but did not understand how to make its application. After leaving this place he went to Cedar Rapids; his whereabouts at present are unknown.
W. L. Crozier was for a time engaged in the practice of law at Tama City. He had been prosecuting attorney of Dubuque county, but eame here direct from St. Louis, to which place he returned after leaving Tama City. Ile was a man of fine ability as a lawyer, a good speaker and well informed on almost every subjeet. In personal appearance, it has often been remarked that he looked very much like Stephen A. Douglass. He is not living.
C. E. Hibbard came to Tama City from Massachusetts in 1868. He had been in practice in his native State, and was a good lawyer, both in office and before a jury. Ile remained here for about four years and returned to Boston, where, when last heard from, he was engaged in his profession.
E. M. Doe came to Tama City from Jowa City in 1870, and began the practice of law. After remaining a few years he returned to Iowa City where he won quite a reputation as an equity lawyer. He sub- sequently removed to Texas. Was a graduate of the Iowa State University, and had a good deal of acquired as well as
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natural ability.
George W. Stinson located in Tama City in 1875, coming from Kansas where he had been in the practice of law. IFe formed a partnership with O. H. Mills and remained two years, when he returned to Kansas and located at Phillipsburg. He was a very successful lawyer.
. G. P. Griswold practiced law in Tania City for about one year. He came here from Michigan in 1878, and from here went to Marshalltown. Ile had been in practice before coming here and was a good general lawyer.
The law firm of Randolph & Hotch- kiss, opened an office in Tama City in 1881 and remained in practice for a short time.
Captain J. G. Strong located in Trear soon after the village started, coming from Tama City. Heremained for several years and then removed to Grundy Center. From there he moved to Brett, where he still lives. Ile was a well educated man and a successful lawyer.
A. Branaman, commenced practice in Traer about 1874, and continued for sev- eral years, when he went to Dysart where he started a bank. Ile is now in Grundy Center.
Mr. Dougherty, a native of Kentucky, practiced law in Traer for five or six months.
About 1875 Mr. Townsend came from Washington, D. C., and opened a law of- fice in Traer. Ile had been clerk in some of the government departments, was a smart fellow and a good lawyer. Ile re- mained about one year when he returned to his old home in Washington where he is now running a pension law office.
Frederick Ilartshorn, a graduate of the
law department of the State University located at Traer in 1879, and opened a law office He remained for about ten months, when he moved to Clarion where he still lives.
S. C. Leland, the present clerk of court of Tama county practiced law in Traer for some time. lle is noticed elsewhere in this chapter.
TIIE PRESENT BAR.
The bar of Tama county of to-day has many able representatives. Almost with- out an exception, they are men of expe- rience and thought ; gentleman and sehol- ars. In this connection are presented per- sonal sketches of all those from whom a sketch could be obtained. They are ar- ranged in the order in which the gentle- men commenced practice in the various towns of the county. The list comprises the following : W. II. Stivers, Hon. George R. Struble, D. D. Appelgate, C. B. Bradshaw, Hon. L. G. Kinne, George L. Bailey, Hon. E. C. Ebersołe, S. C. Le- land, James A. Merritt, W. J. ITam, H. J. Stiger, William L. Lamb, J. W. Lamb, W. (. Sears, Wallace B. Louthan, Daniel Reamer, A. M. Moore, F. J. M. Wouser, (). II. Mills, A. W. Guernsey, W. II. H. Tiffany, James W. Willett, W. W. Wonser, Robert E. Austin, E. Harmon, James Fowler. E. T. Langley, Orson T. Brainerd, R. G. McIntire, N. C. Riec, F. C. Wood, W. II. Wood, George L. Wil- bur, E. II. Benedict, C. H. Roberts, Rich- ard Fitzgerald, W. V. Dooley.
Prominent among the attorneys of To- ledo is William H. Stivers, of the law firm of Stivers & Lonthan. Mr. Stivers com- meneed the study of law while working at his trade-blacksmithing -- and after five
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years spent in this manner, came to Toledo, read law, and in Mareh, 1857, was admit- ted to the bar at Marion, Linn county. He was born on the 18th of May, 1830, at what is now Attica, Wyoming county, New York. Ilis father was a blacksmith by trade, and as soon as William became of sufficient age, he learned the trade and followed it until coming to Toledo in 1856. On the 22nd of August, 1852, he was married to Miss Emily Baugh, of Jones county, this State. Four children have been born to them-Emma, wife of M. J. Boyle, of Toledo ; Seward J., George Sumner, and Lillie V., wife of W. B. Louthan, junior member of the firm of Stivers & Louthan.
HIon. George R. Struble, the present Speaker of the House of Representatives of Iowa, and a member of the law firm of Struble & Kinne, Toledo, has been a prominent lawyer in Tama county for the past twenty-three years. He was born July 25, 1836, in Sussex county, New Jersey. His parents were Isaac and Emma T. (Cox) Struble, both of whom are still living near Toledo, Iowa. When quite young, Mr. Struble removed from New Jersey to the vicinity of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and there remained with his pa- rents until their removal to Chesterville, Ohio, in 1847. In 1856, Mr. Struble left Ohio, came to Iowa, and located first in Iowa City, but only remained in that place until the following spring, when he came to Toledo, Tama county, and has since made this his home. Mr. Struble was married at Toledo, Iowa, on the 19th of April, 1860, to Miss Sophia J. Nelson, daughter of Seth B. and Jane Nelson, and niece of Rev. Dr. H. A. Nelson, formerly
of St. Louis, now of Geneva New York. Mr. Struble first commenced the study of law in the office of T. Walter Jackson, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1860, at the regular term of the district court, Judge W. E. Miller presiding. In 1863 he formed a partnership with Isaac L. Allen, under the firm name of Allen & Struble. The partnership continued until 1865. During most of the time of this partnership, Mr. Allen was occupying the position of Attorney-General of the State. In 1870, Mr. Struble was elected judge of the circuit court of the Eighth judicial district, and held that responsible position until 1872. Mr. Struble was elected a member of the House of the 18th General Assembly of the State of Iowa, and re- elected to the 19th General Assembly, of which he was elected Speaker in 1882. lle is now practicing law in Toledo, in partnership with L. G. Kinne, under the firm name of Struble & Kinne. He is also a member of the loan firm of II. J. Stiger & Co., and is one of the directors of the Toledo Savings Bank. In politics he is a republican, and is a member of the Congregational church of Toledo, lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Struble have been blessed with six children ; Agnes N., wife of liram Baldwin, cashier of Toledo Savings Bank ; May T., Gertrude N., Jessie F., George Herbert and Grace. Judge Struble is of medium height, well proportioned and is a fine appearing man ; has a high forehead, a keen, penetrating eye. Socially, he is pleasant, affable and courteous, though al- ways cosidering business paramount to so- cial ties. As a lawyer, he is quick to see a point, has a ready and eloquent flow of language to push it; is a forcible
1865-66,
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speaker, well educated in his profession, and withal a most successful practitioner. Judge Struble is a man in whom not only the county, but the State may take pride ; and the honors that have been bestowed upon him have only served to make him more deserving of them. In his public life he has fully demonstrated himself to be a man of thorough integrity and ster- ling worth, possessing qualities which make him a leader among men.
D. D. Appelgate has been one of Tole- do's attorneys since 1868, and is among the oldest settlers of Tama county. HIe was born in Jackson county, Indiana, October 31, 1829, and was there reared upon a farm. In 1848 he left Indiana and came to Iowa, locating in Cedar county, where he remained until September, 1851, when he came to Tama county and located in Carlton township. In the spring of 1853, he was elected the first clerk of courts of Tama county ; was re-elected from time to time and served until Janu- ary, 1869, in the meantime reading law with Isaac L. Allen, ex-Attorney General, of Iowa, and in 1868, was admitted to the bar. He has followed the profession ever since. In 1856, Mr. Appelgate was mar- ried to Miss Margaret McLaury, of Dela- ware county, New York. They have six children. He was formerly an "old line Whig, " but since the organization of the Republican party, has advocated its prin- ciples. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the A. O. U. W. organi- zation, a much respected and worthy citizen.
C. B. Bradshaw was born December 26, 1839, at Richmond, Jefferson county, Ohio. His parents were Harvey and Susan ( Sul- livan ) Bradshaw ; the former a native of
Connecticut ; the latter of Pennsylvania. His father died at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, November 8, 1861; and his mother in June, 1873, at Toledo, Iowa. His father was a Methodist minister, and at the time of his death, agent of Cornell College, Mt. Ver- non. The family consisted of two sons- C. B., and H. S. Bradshaw, the latter practicing law at Ida Grove, Ida county, lowa. C. B. was reared in Ohio, receiv- ing his early education in the common schools. He came to Iowa in the spring of 1860, and entered Cornell College, remain- ing until August, 1862. At that time he enlisted in Co. F. 24th Iowa Vol. Inf'ty, joining Grant's forces at HIelena, Arkansas, started to Vicksburg, but before reaching there, was in the battles of Port. Gibson and Champion Hills, reaching Vicksburg on the 24th of May, 1863, a'd was there during the seige of that city. In July, 1865, he was discharged at Davenport, where his regiment disbanded. Hle then went to Michigan and entered the law de- partment of Ann Arbor University, grad- uating in 1867. Mr. Bradshaw was admit- ted to the bar of Iowa, at Marion, Linn county, at a term of the district court, Judge Rothrock presiding. He then came to Toledo, and formed a partnership with G. R. Struble, which continued until the fall of 1870, at which time Mr. Struble withdrew from the firm to enter upon the duties of Circuit Judge, to which office he had been elected. Mr. Bradshaw has since been alone in business. He was married in December, 1867, to Miss Mary Ann Hayzlett, daughter of William and Elizabeth Hayzlett, a native of Linn coun- ty, this State. Mrs. Bradshaw graduated in the classical course at Cornell College,
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