Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 86

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360

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" Mr. Wilson at once commenced the prac- tice of law, nor was he long in commanding recognition as an able, conscientious and suc- cessful practitioner. He rapidly acquired a flattering business and soon stood in the front rank of his profession; but it was not as a law- yer trying cases in State and Federal courts wherein he was destined to attain the full measure of his success and prominence. How- ever certain or choice would have been the promotions accorded him within the narrower limits of his profession, they could not have been more satisfactory to himself or useful to the public than those resulting from his pre- eminent services in the field of State and na- tional organic and statutory law-making. In his early days, amid fast accumulating profes- sional duties, he found time to write the lead- ing editorials of his party's local paper. The rare ability there displayed in dealing with po- litical questions, then in a formative state, won for him an abiding confidence in the integrity of his political thought and actions that fol- lowed him closely throughout his extended public career."

When, in 1856, it was deemed expedient to revise the constitution of the State, a con- vention was duly called, and though our sub- ject had at that time been a resident of Iowa only three years he was chosen a delegate to this constitutional convention, being the next to the youngest of its members. Though he was young in years, his associates soon found that his was a mature wisdom and judgment, and that he was fertile in those resources that make a man valuable in such bodies. The record of

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the proceedings of this important convention is the perpetual witness of the valuable assist- ance which he rendered in the connection, and that the great and prosperous commonwealth of Iowa has governed its affairs through all the succeeding years according to the provisions of the constitution then adopted, and that it has been found necessary to make but slight changes or modifications in the same, must ever bear to the memory of our honored subject a due quota of honor.

In 1857 the Governor of the State appointed Mr. Wilson Assistant Commissioner of the Des Moines river improvement, then a matter of much concern to the people of the State; and later in the same year he was elected, on the Republican ticket, to the lower house of the State Legislature, holding the important inci- dental preferment as chairman of the com- mittee on ways and means during his term of service. In 1859 further distinction was con- ferred upon him in his election to the State Senate, and here again he rendered most val- uable service, during the first year of his term, as a member of the judiciary committee, through whose hands passed for final inspection a recent recompilation of the laws of the State, since familiarly known as the Revision of 1860. During his second year in the Senate he served as president of that body. Review- ing his subsequent public career, we draw again from the able memoir published in the Fair- field Ledger :

" Possessed of great natural ability as a writer and speaker, well disciplined in the law, familiar with parliamentary rules and usages, painstaking to a degree, unsurpassed in every undertaking, and patriotic to the core, Mr. Wilson was elected as a Republican Repre- sentative in Congress for the unexpired term of General Samuel R. Curtis. He was re-elected without opposition in nominating convention, to the Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congresses, serving from December 2, 1861, to March 3, 1869, his retirement in the latter year being made possible only through his pos- itive and repeated declination of further re-

nomination. On his entrance into Congress he divided with one other the sole responsibil- ity of representing the State of Iowa in the House of Representatives. The labor per- formed in committee work is universally recog- nized as 'a fair test of any man's zeal, indus- try and influence in any legislative body.' Without regard, then, to Mr. Wilson's con- ceded power as an advocate, his logic and elo- quence in the arena of debate, and simply ap- plying to him this fair test of legislative useful- ness and fidelity, it will be found that, while he may have had equals, he had no superiors in this particular among all his able contem- poraries. A hard worker at a mechanical trade at twenty-one, chairman of the judiciary committee of the American House of Repre- sentatives at thirty-five, and a member of which he was at thirty-three, is tribute enough to the man and his talents and equally splen- did to the absolute freedom of aspiration and achievement accorded the single individual un- der our matchless republican institutions. Mr. Wilson was, perhaps, the youngest man ever assigned to this important committee, yet he served thereon throughout his entire service in the House, and during the last six years, as already indicated, was its honored chairman. This committee, on account of prevailing civil war, the consequent conflicts arising between constitution and statutes, intensified by the suppression of the Rebellion and intrusion upon Congressional action of a perfect multitude of perplexing legal questions attendant upon the reconstruction of erring States, was forced into the controlling rank and a conspicuous respon- sibility unknown before or since. It was a se- vere test to any man, however ripe in years or special acquirements, but when applied it found in Mr. Wilson an all sufficient conscience and capacity. 'That he remained uninterruptedly at its head, and that no measure favorably re- ported upon by him in this committee failed in the House, is the best assurance of the confi- dence placed by Congress in his work.'"

Mr. Wilson initiated his efforts in Congress by introducing, in December, 1861, a resolu-

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tion to instruct the committee on military af- fairs to report an additional article of war, prohibiting the use of United States forces to return fugitive slaves. December 7, 1863, he gave notice of his intention to introduce a joint resolution for an amendment to the constitu- tion abolishing slavery,-this being the first action looking to that end ever taken in the Federal Congress. Shortly after he reported the resolution from the judiciary committee, and this caused one of the most memorable parliamentary struggles of that stirring period, the final passage of the resolution being effect- ed largely through his able and eloquent speech delivered on that occasion. Among other points in connection with his Congres- sional career, was his reporting from the judi- ciary committee a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution to forbid the payment of any portion of the rebel debt, and he materially aided in its passage in the House, and though the measure was defeated in the Senate its purpose found sustained fulfillment in a subsequent provision of the fourteenth constitutional amendment. Mr. Wilson also reported from the same committee a bill pro- viding for the enfranchisement of the colored people of the District of Columbia, another giving freedom to the wives and children of the colored Union soldiers, and the great civil rights bill. He was most zealous in his ef- forts to abolish the institution of human slavery, and was an important factor in the elimination of this blot on the national escutcheon. Even before he had entered the halls of Congress he has shown his attitude in this regard by his ef- forts, which were finally effectual, in having the word "white " expunged from the consti- tution of his native State. Our subject was one of those who sturdily opposed the impeach- ment of the President of the United States at the time when the matter came before the Fortieth Congress, being in the minority in connection with this critical question. The fact that, after a stormy and exciting debate, he carried his proposition through the House is indicative of his personal influence and of

the confidence reposed in him by his asso- ciates.

Mr. Wilson retired from Congress as Gen- eral Grant entered upon his first Presidential term, and through the chief executive he was tendered the preferment as Secretary of State, and later the choice of two other cabinet ap- pointments, but he had decided that duty called him into private life for the time being, and he was not to be swerved from his course, and the next twelve years he gave to the mul- tiplicity of private and professional affairs which demanded his attention, his only official service in the interim having been rendered as a Government director of the Union Pacific Railroad, in which important position he was retained eight years.

In 1881 he determined to re-enter public life, and his candidacy for the Senate of the United States resulted in a brilliant victory in the suffrage of the people of Iowa. He took his seat in that body March 4, 1883, and was re-elected in 1888, his second term expiring March 3, 1895-only a short time before his demise. At the time of his re-election he had given public notice of his intention of per- manently retiring from public life if he was spared to fill out the term to which he was then acknowledging an election, and all who knew the man knew that he was sincere in this declaration. In the Senate Mr. Wilson served on the following important committees: revision of laws, foreign relations, postoffice, pensions, education and labor, census, inter- State commerce, and the judiciary, -being chairman of the first mentioned committee and second in rank on the judiciary. His service in the great national deliberative body was marked by that same broad wisdom, fidelity and industry which had characterized him as a public official throughout his previous serv- ice, and he thus added to his reputation as a broad and liberal-minded statesman. He was the author of the " original package act " passed by the Fifty-first Congress, its purpose being to give force and effectiveness to the enact- ments of the several States regulative or pro-

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hibitive of the traffic in intoxicating liquors. A recapitulation of his career can not be offered in more complete detail in this con- nection, but the student will find the record accessible in public documents, and will have no difficulty in learning more of this noble son of the republic.

During his long residence in Fairfield Mr. Wilson was animated by the deepest interest in the welfare and prosperity of the place, and lent aid and influence to every worthy public enterprise and feasible project. His position as the leading citizen of Fairfield is one that her people take pleasure in according and re- calling. The Jefferson County Library Asso- ciation had in him a zealous friend and sup- porter, and the fine library building and the exceptional equipment stand as monuments to his memory, since both are the practical and tangible results of his devoted and earnest ef- forts, and bear evidence of his ardent interest in educational affairs. In this line he is to be considered a benefactor, for from the time when the association was initiated he was one who contributed generously to its maintenance, increasing his benefactions in due proportion as his financial resources permitted until his donations to the library became almost princely. His contributions to its wealth of books and material were continuous and boun- tiful through a long series of years, and it was directly through his influence that the interest of Andrew Carnegie was enlisted in the insti- tution and the donation secured which en- abled the association to erect its present magnificent building, the site for which was presented by Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. This great public benefice, which was a source of con- stant concern to Mr. Wilson amid all the cares and distractions of professional and public life, serves but as the strongest evidence of the interest which he showed in divers ways as touching and conserving the advancement of the prosperity of the little city which was his cherished home through so long a period of years-the place hallowed with tender mem- ories and the one which represented to him

the dearest spot on earth. The city owes and will ever owe a debt of gratitude, of honor and of reverence to James F. Wilson. Incidental to his death resolutions of respect were adopted by the bar of the county, by the Iowa Re- publican League, the bar of Jefferson county, and by various other associations which mourned the loss of a distinguished citizen, a loyal friend and a noble and honest man, while at the funeral obsequies the concourse of peo- ple represented dignitaries of State and nation and those in the humblest stations of life- thus showing the affection rendered to the man as well as the veneration accorded him for his great public services. Glowing eulogy can say no more than is implied in this homage from distinctively different sources. .

Of the immediate family whose is the deep- est bereavement, the devoted wife and three children remain to revere the name of one who was all that a husband and father could have been. Rollin J., the eldest son, is a prominent attorney of Fairfield, and to him individual reference is made on another page; Mary B. remains with her mother at the beautiful old family home; and James F., Jr., is an enter- prising young business man of Fairfield.

The remains of Senator Wilson were laid to rest in Evergreen cemetery, and more im- perishable than "sculptured urn or animated bust " is that monument given to his memory in the regard of men who recognize that his life was pure, true and right in the sight of One who knows all and does all things well.

ON. WILLIAM MANSFIELD WALKER .- Deeds are thoughts crystallized, and according to their brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to the country that produced him, and in his works do we expect to find a true index to his character. The study of the life of the representative American never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable in- struction, developing the methods by which has been attained that peculiar mastering of

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expedients which has given wonderful results. The subject of this review is a worthy repre- sentative of that type of American character, that progressive. spirit and that distinguished personal precedence which have ever promoted public good through individual effort, and as an able member of the legal profession, as one who has honored the State of his birth in the halls of the Legislature, and as one of the leading citizens of Keosauqua, Van Buren county, there is eminent consistency in incor- porating a sketch of his life in this volume.

Our subject has risen to a position of prom- inence and has attained a due measure of suc- cess in life as the result of his own efforts, and well merits the proud American title of a self- made man. He was born on a farm in Van Buren county, Iowa, August 22, 1852, being the son of Peter and Christiana (Schuyler) Walker, to whom individual reference is made on another page. William passed the first eleven years of his life at Libertyville, Jefferson county, this State, and while he was still a mere lad death deprived him of his parents, his mother passing away in 1859 and his father in 1863. Thus doubly orphaned, the boy was taken to the home of William Schuyler, a farmer of Van Buren county, and here he re- mained until he had attained mature years, assisting in the work of the farm and securing a good common-school education. That he had profited by the opportunities afforded him is shown in the fact that at the early age of sixteen years he was qualified to engage in teaching in the district schools, and to this pedagogic vocation he devoted himself during about nine winters, the field of his endeavors being in Jefferson and Wapello counties. He thus assumed the responsibility of his own maintenance, and developed the innate spirit of independence and self-reliance which have. characterized his entire career. His ambition was one of effort, and he early defined the course along which he was determined to direct his endeavors. Thus, while still engaged in teaching, he began a thorough course of read- ing in the law, utilizing his normal leisure to

good advantage and bending every effort to the accomplishment of the desired end.

In the year 1881 Mr. Walker was admitted to the bar of the State, appearing for examina- tion before the Circuit Court at one of its reg- ular sessions. He did not enter upon the active practice of his profession until 1884, wishing to thoroughly fortify himself by fur- ther study. In the year mentioned he asso- ciated himself with Messrs. Lea and Wherry, for the practice of law in Keosauqua, and this partnership continued until the death of Mr. Lea, in July, 1886, since which time the two surviving members have maintained their pro- fessional alliance, under the title of Wherry & Walker, which is firmly established in business and which is recognized as one of the leading law firms of the county. They practice in the local, State and Federal courts, and retain a clientage of representative character. Our subject's ability as a lawyer has been conclu- sively proved, and he is known for his concise and cogent presentation of cases and as a strong advocate before court and jury, his technical reading having been so full and com- plete as to give him a mastery of all pertinent points and a familiarity with precedents.

His talent and his unmistakable eligibility as a representative of public interests soon brought to Mr. Walker prominent considera- tion in the political affairs of the county, in which, as a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party he had taken an act- ive part. In the fall of 1885 he was elected to represent his county in the State Legisla- ture, thus becoming a member of the Twenty- first General Assembly. In this high office he served with signal fidelity and distinction, having been placed on a number of the most important committees, in which connection we may state that he was chairman of the com- mittee on printing, chairman of the committee ' on woman suffrage, and a member of the com- mittees on judiciary and insurance.

In 1892 Mr. Walker received distinguished recognition at the hands of his party, being nominated and elected on the Republican

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ticket for the First Congressional district of Iowa. He is one of the leaders of his party in the State, and his advice is held in high re- gard in the councils of its leaders, while his efforts in forwarding the party cause have always been honorable and efficacious. As a lawyer, a legislator and a man he enjoys dis- tinctive popularity, and is one of the honored citizens of Van Buren county.

Turning to the domestic chapter in the career of our subject we find that on the 29th · of August, 1889, was consummated his mar- riage to Miss Estelle, the youngest daughter of Josiah and Orpha Bonney, honored residents of Keosauqua. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have one daughter, Helen M., who was born De- cember 1, 1891.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Walker is prominently identified with the Masonic order, in which he has advanced to the Knights Tem- plar degree. He retains a membership in Keosauqua Lodge, No. 10, F. & A. M .; Moore Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M .; Elchanan Com- mandery, No. 28, Knights Templar, and Kaaba Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in this connection he has served as District Deputy Grand Mas- ter of the Grand Lodge.

S AMUEL HOCKETT, Redfield, Iowa, is well known in this part of the State for the prominent part he has taken as a worker in the Friends' Church. On coming to Iowa, in 1881, he or- ganized the church of which he is now Presid- ing Elder, starting with a membership of less than twenty and in a few years increasing it to upwards of sixty. At present, however, its membership numbers only about forty. Besides his efficient work here he has been largely in- strumental in advancing the cause of Christ elsewhere.

Samuel Hockett dates his birth in Randolph county, Indiana, May 9, 1835, he being the eleventh in a family of twelve children. When

he was three years old his parents removed with their family to Henry county, Iowa. This was just previous to the first Government land sale, and, when the United States sold what had been the haunts and hunting grounds of the Black Hawk warriors, his father pur- chased a half section of land at $1.25 per acre. Joseph Hockett, the father, was a native of Randolph county, North Carolina, was of English extraction, and when ten years of age removed with his parents to Highland county, Ohio. He died in June, 1846, at the age of fifty-seven years. Early in life he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Smith, a Virginian by birth who traced her ancestry back to the Emerald Isle. She survived her husband a number of years, her death occurring in 1877, at the age of eighty-three.

Reared on the frontier, the subject of our sketch had limited educational advantages, his schooling being confined to the typical district schools of that day. He may well be termed self-educated, for the greater part of his wide range of knowledge has been gained by obser- vation and by home reading and study. He remained with his mother until attaining his majority, after which he commenced farming for himself, and for forty-four years he farmed in the same county, and with the exception of a year or so lived within sight of his mother's home. However, during all these years farm- ing was not his only vocation; he was con- stantly working for the Lord. Indeed, he has spent the greater part of his life in the pulpit, and much of his time as well as money in char- ities. In the spring of 1881 he sold his farm of 105 acres and came to Dallas county, select- ing his location in Linn township, where he purchased his present property, comprising 160 acres. Here he lias since lived with the ex- ception of three years spent in Greene county, whither he went to take charge of two churches, one of which was across the line in Calhoun county. At the time he settled in Dallas county his place was only slightly improved; the first year he and his family suffered not a little from the severity of the weather, and the

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outlook was enough to make homesick the bravest hearts. But Samuel Hockett was not one of the kind to be discouraged long, and his determined and well directed efforts soon gave a different aspect to the place. To-day his farm is ranked with the best improved ones in the township. Besides his own comfortable residence, he has a good tenant-house.

Mr. Hockett has been married three times. June 8, 1856, he wedded Sarah Cook, a native of Iowa, who died January 20, 1862, without issue. He was again married, March 22, 1866, this time to Annie Jane Trueblood, a native of Indiana, whose life was blended with his for a period of twenty-five years, and who passed away June 20, 1891, leaving not only a devoted husband but also a family of seven children to mourn their loss. She had one other child, Clinton, that died in infancy. Those living are Clifton, Alice, Hermon, Lydia, Milo, How- ard and Grace. Deprived of early school ad- vantages himself, Mr. Hockett has ınade it a point to afford his children good education and fit them to occupy useful positions in life. Miss Lydia is now a popular and successful teacher. November 29, 1891, was consummated Mr. Hockett's marriage to Mrs. Frances E. Tay- lor, nec Warren, his present companion. She is a native of New York, and has a son, Clar- ence, by her marriage to William R. Taylor.

Politically, Mr. Hockett has been an ardent Republican ever since he cast his first vote for John C. Fremont.

I RA DEAN PAYNE, M. D .- Dallas county, Iowa, has in its professional ranks many men of marked ability, and prominent on the list of members of the medical profession is found the name of Dr. Ira D. Payne, of Linden.

Dr. Payne was born in Cambridge, Henry county, Illinois, June 11, 1852, the fifth in the family of nine children of James Monroe and Elizabeth (Eaton) Payne. James M. Payne is a native of Maryland and is of English descent. When he was about twelve years

old he removed with his parents from Mary- land to Ohio, where he spent the years in- tervening between that time and the attaining of his majority. Then the family canie on West as far as Howard county, Indiana, and subsequently removed to Missouri. He was married in Indiana in 1839, lived there until 1847, and at that time settled at Cambridge, Henry county, Illinois. By trade he was a wagonmaker. The greater part of his life, however, has been given to agricultural pur- suits. Again imbued with the spirit of emi- gration, we find him in 1856 removing with his family to Dallas county, Iowa, his location being near Adel, where he purchased a tract of 400 acres. That proved to be a bad year for farmers, and Mr. Payne, being somewhat dis- couraged, having lost considerable on account of crop failures, returned to Illinois the follow- ing year. He lived in Illinois the next nine years, but in 1866 he came back to Iowa and settled on his land and to its improvement and cultivation devoted his energies. He still re- sides on his farm, which now comprises 220 acres, he having some years ago disposed of 180 acres. Now in his old age, having attained his seventy-seventh year, he is nicely situated and surrounded with all the comforts of life. His good wife passed away June 16, 1890, at the age of seventy-three years. His children are grown up and scattered and are filling hon- orable and useful positions in life. One son, J. D. Payne, is at this writing Sheriff of Dal- las county.

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Memorial and biographical record of Iowa, Part 86

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1360

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1360