USA > Iowa > Jasper County > Past and present of Jasper County, Iowa, Vol. I > Part 22
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R. A. McKee commenced the practice of law in Monroe about the year 1870, and remained in the practice at that place for a number of years, and removed to the state of Nebraska. During the Civil war Mr. McKee was captain of Company I, Fifth Veteran Cavalry, and served with credit to himself and his country.
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A. Q. Hayes, once a member of the bar of Jasper county, and engaged in the law business in Monroe for a number of years, removed to the state of Kansas about the year 1880. At last accounts, he was still living in the state of Kansas.
Hon. H. W. Gleason, a native of New Hampshire, came to Monroe about January 1. 1869, and remained there two years and engaged in the practice of law successfully, afterwards removed to Oskaloosa, lowa, and formed a partnership with Judge Crookham. Mr. Gleason represented Ma- haska county in the seventeenth General Assembly of Iowa. After dissolv- ing partnership, with Judge Crookham, he removed to the state of Kansas and there engaged in the practice of law for some time, and then returned to Oskaloosa where he continued the practice of law until his death, which occurred May 1, 1911.
Alanson Clark, son of D. 1 .. Clark, a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Iowa Law School, was admitted to the bar in 1875, and in 1876 com- menced the practice of law at Newton with success and remained in the prac- tice until his death, which occurred March 28, 1894. Mr. Clark was very energetic in the cause of his numerous clients, and won distinction at the bar by his prosecution of rebate cases against the different railway companies. At the time of his death, he was county attorney of Jasper county.
S. J. Moyer came to Jasper county in the year 1864 and was engaged in teaching school until about the year 1872, when he was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Newton for a period of about twelve years, then removed to Chamberlain, South Dakota, and engaged in the same business at that place until his death, which occurred about the year 1896.
A. S. Stuver was justice of peace for a number of years in Newton, and a member of the bar and practiced law until he removed to Kimball, South Dakota, in 1882. He engaged in the practice of law in that state until his death, which occurred in 1904.
H. K. Stahl and C. W. Stahl commenced the practice of law in New- ton in the year 1874, under the firm name and style of Stahl Bros. They engaged in the practice in Newton for a period of about twelve years, and then removed to the state of California, where they each now reside.
R. B. Kiddoo came to Jasper county in the year 1869 and engaged in the practice of law in Newton for about ten years. He then removed to the state of Nebraska, where he resumed the same business until his death. which occurred in the year 1894.
J. G. Meek, one of the pioneer lawyers, came to Newton in the year 1854 and was admitted to the bar during that year. He practiced law in
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Newton for about ten years and then removed to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he still lives.
J. M. Clements came to Jasper county with his parents in 1855 and en- gaged in work on the farm for his father near Newton until about the year 1868, when he attended college at Wittemberg and Hazel Dell Academy in Newton, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1873. On January I, 1879, he was appointed official short-hand reporter for the sixth judicial district by Judge Cook and served in that capacity for four years, after which he resumed the practice of law in Newton. In a short time he formed a partnership with S. C. Cook, under the firm name of Cook & Clements, the partnership being dissolved in 1886, at which time Mr. Clements went to Helena, Montana, where he was elected county judge of the county for a term of two years. Afterwards he commenced the practice of law at that place with success. In 1903 he was elected judge of the district court at Helena. Montana. In 1907 he was re-elected, and now holds that position.
S. C. Cook was raised on a farm near Newton, studied law and was ad- mitted to the bar in Jasper county about the year 1874 and entered into part- nership with R. A. Sankey, which partnership existed for about four years, after which he formed a partnership with J. M. Clements. Mr. Cook was president of the railroad company which constructed what is now the Iowa Central Railway from Newton to Keithsburg, Iowa. Mr. Cook was a successful financier, very energetic and painstaking in whatever he under- took. He continued in the practice of law until September, 1887, when he met his death on a railway crossing between Mitchellville and Colfax by be- ing struck by a railway train while driving in his buggy. His tragic death was mourned by all his friends and acquaintances.
Hon. Stephen N. Lindley was born in Merrittstown, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1817. He removed to Athens county, Ohio, in 1835, and there studied law in the office of A. J. Brown and was admitted to the bar. In April, 1848, he came to Iowa, and in 1861 came to Newton, where he resided nine- teen years, following his profession, and served two terms as circuit judge. He then moved to Fairbury, Nebraska, in 1880, and was elected and served several terms as probate judge. In 1894 his health failed and he gave up his practice and moved to Blanchester. Ohio, where he died January 22, 1896. Judge Lindley, prior to the Civil war, was an ardent abolitionist. While he resided in Monroe, he and John R. Clements (the father of the writer) conducted an "underground railroad" and helped many a poor black person to regain his liberty.
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A. K. Campbell emigrated from the state of Ohio to Newton about the year 1855. Previous to coming to Iowa he studied law with his father in the state of Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in Jasper county in 1868, and formed a partnership with Judge O. C. Howe ; the partnership continued until Judge Howe was appointed one of the resident law professors in the State University, which occurred in 1876. Mr. Campbell continued the practice of his profession until he removed from Newton to Des Moines, in 1887, where he now resides.
W. E. Evans studied law in the office of Hon. J. C. Cook in Newton, and was admitted to the bar about the year 1876. He engaged in the prac- tice in Newton for three or four years, and then removed to the state of Kansas, where he now resides and is still engaged in the practice of law.
Clark Varnum was admitted to the bar in Poweshiek county about 1873, and engaged in the practice of law at Malcom, Iowa. until 1885, when he removed to Newton and formed a partnership with Hon. H. S. Winslow, which partnership continued until Mr. Varnum removed to Chicago, which occurred about the year 1893. Mr. Varnum still resides in Chicago and is engaged in the practice of his profession.
A. F. Brown was raised on a farm in Jasper county, studied law and was admitted to the bar in June. 1882, and immediately thereafter formed a partnership with J. H. Fugard, which partnership was dissolved in Sep- tember, 1901. Afterward Mr. Brown continued the practice of his pro- fession as a lawyer in Newton until September, 1907. when he removed to the city of Des Moines where he is now general attorney for the Corn Belt Land & Loan Company.
R. F. Graham engaged in the practice of law in Newton for a number of years, being admitted to the bar about the year 1898, and followed the practice of law in Newton until about 1903. He then removed to Whittier, California, where he is now engaged in the law business.
D. O. Stuart practiced law in Monroe, Iowa. for about six years, then, in 1878, removed to Harlan, lowa, where he is still engaged in the practice of his profession.
A. J. Craven was admitted to the bar in 1882, and practiced law in New- ton for about four years, and then removed to Helena. Montana. While there he became a member of the Legislature, and also a member of the constitutional convention which framed the constitution of the state. He is now located in Bellingham. Washington, and is there engaged in the prac- tice of law.
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James A. Kerr was admitted to the bar in about the year 1882 and immediately commenced the practice of his profession in Newton. He con- tinued in the practice with success until 1890, when he removed to Seattle, Washington, where he is now engaged in the practice of law. Previous to his leaving Newton he was in partnership with W. O. McElroy for about four years. Mr. Kerr was a forceful speaker and advocate, and has achieved great success in his new field where he now resides.
A. M. Harrah came to Jasper county with his parents about the year 1855, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1875, and commenced the practice of his profession in Newton which he continued with success until 1907, when he removed to Pasadena, California, where he is still engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1886, Mr. Harrah was elected county attorney and served in that capacity for a period of two years. Mr. Harrah was an able lawyer.
John G. Harrah, son of A. M. Harrah, was admitted to the bar in 1905, and commenced the practice of law in Newton and continued until I9II, when he removed to Pasadena, California, where he now resides.
Preston Chambers was born in the state of Indiana and emigrated to Iowa in 1855. settling near Galesburg, Iowa. He was admitted to the bar in 1877, and practiced law until June 19, 1907, when he died near Gales- burg, at the age of eighty-three years.
Hon. W. H. Redman was born in Geneseo, Illinois, March 15, 1840. He lived and worked on a farm during the early years of his life. He served as private in Company C. Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, during the Civil war, and was advanced to the position of captain of his company. He was in several battles during the war. After the war, he came to Poweshiek county and located on a farm. He entered the law department of the State University from which he graduated in December, 1869. The following year he commenced the practice of law in Montezuma. Mr. Redman served in the twenty-first and twenty-second General Assemblies of Iowa, being made speaker of the House in the last named session. In 1898 he was ap- pointed assistant attorney general, which office he held until April 1. 1899. In 1900 he located in Newton, Iowa, and continued the practice of law until his death, which occurred about December. 1901.
H. L, Stem came to Jasper county with his parents in 1855 and settled on a farm near Monroe. Mr. Stem worked on the farm until he was admitted to the bar in 1871, and engaged in the practice of law in Monroe, Iowa, for a period of six years, after which he removed to the state of Nebraska.
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E. M. Ives practiced law at Lynnville for a number of years. From thence he removed to Kellogg, Iowa, and resumed the practice of his pro- fession at that place until 1907, when he removed to the state of Indiana.
L. J. Labour practiced law in Colfax for a number of years, and about the year 1880 removed to the city of Des Moines.
J. A. Metcalf came to- Newton about the year 1888 and practiced law in Newton until 1895, when he removed to Sac City, Sac county, Iowa, where he is now engaged in his chosen profession.
Fred Gilman came to Newton from the northeastern part of Iowa about the year 1882. and practiced law in Newton until about the year 1887. When he was appointed professor in the law department of the State University of Iowa, he removed to Iowa City.
S. I. Miskimmons commenced the practice of law at Baxter, in Jasper county, in 1899 and continued in the practice at that place until the time of his death, April 15, 1904.
S. Kent commenced the practice of law in Newton about the year 1873, and remained in Newton until about 1878, when he removed to the state of Nebraska, where he now lives.
Bryant E. Corwin was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 21. 1850. attended the common schools of that county until 1872, when he came to Monroe. lowa. He had previously studied law in the office of Judge Dickey at Mt. Gilead. He was admitted to the bar in Jasper county Novem- ber 10, 1876. Previous to that time he had been principal for four years of the Monroe schools. He practiced law in Monroe with success until the time of his death, which occurred October 30, 1893.
W. H. Williams practiced law in the town of Monroe from 1877 to 1879. He then moved to the state of Kansas where he now resides.
Joseph Arnold was born at Richmond, Indiana, April 1, 1832. In 1843 he came with his parents to Lynnville, lowa, and aided his parents in operating a grist mill at said place, and also in conducting a farm. In 1864 Mr. Arnold was ordained a minister of the gospel in the Friends church and preached more or less. About the year 1875 he commenced the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in Jasper county in 1877 and con- tinued the practice of law in Lynnville with success until the time of his death, which occurred September 7, 1904. in the seventy-third year of his age.
John C. Meredith was reared on a farm near Lynnville and about the year 1880 was admitted to the bar and entered in the practice of law at Lynn- ville, which he carried on with success until about the year 1883, when he removed to Angus, Iowa.
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James B. Naylor, a resident of Lynnville, was admitted to the bar in 1874, and continued the practice of law at that place until about 1880, when he removed to Simeron, Kansas, where he is still engaged in the law business.
C. A. Tracy practiced law in Monroe for about two years, commencing in 1890. He then removed to the state of Nebraska.
R. A. Sankey, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Newton in 1866 and commenced the practice of law with success. He afterwards formed a partnership with M. Howard, which continued for about two or three years. Afterwards he formed a partnership with S. C. Cook, which was dissolved in about two years thereafter. In 1882 Mr. Sankey went to Wichita, Kansas, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1909. He was about sixty-two years of age at the time of his death.
M. Howard came to Newton about the year 1870 and commenced the practice of law in partnership with R. A. Sankey, and after the dissolution of the partnership, which continued about three years, Mr. Howard removed to the city of Chicago where he now resides.
Hon. Robert Ryan was born in Washington county, New York, and emigrated to Jasper county with his parents in 1857, and settled on a farm two miles south of Prairie City. He was educated in the common schools of New York and Iowa, and at the Central University at Pella. During the war he served as a member of the Eighth Iowa Infantry and upon his re- turn home finished his education and studied law, attending the law depart- ment of the Iowa State University. In about the year 1868 he commenced the practice of law in Newton, forming a partnership with G. R. Shays, which continued until the death of Mr. Shays. He then formed a partner- ship with his brother, David Ryan, which continued until his removal to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he resumed the practice of law. In a short time after removing to Lincoln, he was elected a member of the supreme court of that state, on which he served with ability for a term of six years. Af- terwards he resumed the practice of law, and in about the year 1900 he came to Des Moines, Iowa, and formed a partnership with his brother, David Ryan, and J. B. Ryan and W. L. Ryan, sons of David Ryan. Hon. Robert Ryan is now actively engaged in the practice of law in Des Moines.
Evert M. Allen was born in Jasper county, and lived with his parents on a farm near Colfax. He attended the State University at Iowa City, and graduated from the law department thereof in 1897, after which he engaged in the practice of law in Colfax until about 1906, when he removed
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to Spokane, state of Washington, where he is still engaged in the practice of his profession.
E. H, Hurd came to Newton about the year 1900 and engaged in the practice of law until about 1906, when he removed to the state of Nebraska.
Clifford V. Cox was born in Jasper county, February 14, 1880. He received his education in the common schools of the county and then entered the State University in 1897, from which he graduated from the law de- partment in June, 1903. and was admitted to the bar. He commenced the practice of his profession in Newton, forming a partnership with W. O. McElroy, under the firm name and style of McElroy & Cox, which partner- ship continued until 1909, when Mr. Cox removed to the city of Des Moines and formed a partnership with Mr. Bannister, where he is actively engaged in the practice.
J. A. Mattern came to Colfax about the year 1878. He was admitted to the bar about that time and commenced the practice of law, which he con- tinned until about 1898, when he was elected clerk of the district court of Jasper county, which position he occupied until 1906. He then removed from Jasper county to Creston, Iowa, where he now resides.
George F. Rinehart practiced law in Newton for about two years. then engaged in publishing a newspaper in Des Moines. From there he re- moved to the state of Oklahoma, where he is now successfully engaged in editing a newspaper.
Jonathan N. Edgar was admitted to the bar at Newton in 1855. A short time thereafter he was elected county attorney and served in that capacity for about two years, when he removed to Oskaloosa, Iowa.
William B. Sloan was admitted to the bar at Newton, September 8, 1854. and practiced law in Newton for about four years. He then re- moved to the state of Ohio and resumed the practice of his profession.
B .- F. Parmenter came to Newton in the fall of 1855 and commenced the practice of law. In the summer of 1856 he, in company with Judge O. C. Howe, went to Spirit Lake, where Mr. Parmenter remained until the time of his death.
Charles Smentzer came to Newton in 1855 and commenced the practice of law. In 1857 he removed to Ft. Dodge, Iowa, where he resumed the practice of his profession and occupied many positions of trust at his new home.
Hon. John C. Pollock, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, came to New- ton after the Civil war and studied law in the office of Hon. H. S. Winslow. He was admitted to the bar in Jasper county, and from there he moved to
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Montezuma, Poweshiek county, and remained there in the practice of his profession for about three years. He then removed to the state of Missouri and still continued the practice of law. From Missouri he went to Kansas where he gained distinction as a trial lawyer and was elected as district judge of that state, and while serving in that capacity was appointed judge of the United States district court for the state of Kansas, which position he now occupies.
Hon. George E. Spencer was admitted to the bar in Newton April 16, 1856, and thereafter engaged in the practice of law in Newton with success. In 1858 he served as secretary of the state Senate of Iowa. Thereafter, in 1859. he removed to the northwestern part of the state in Clay county and took up a government claim and thereon laid out a town, giving it his own name, which is now the county seat of Clay county. He was the first set- tler in Clay county. During the Civil war he was colonel of a regiment of loyal Alabamians and served with distinction until the close of the war. After- wards. he settled in the state of Alabama, and was elected from that state to the United States Senate for a term of six years.
Hon. James B. Weaver was born in Dayton, Ohio, June 12, 1833. He was educated in the common schools of Iowa. He commenced the study of law in the office of S. G. McAchran, at Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1854. After- wards he attended the law school of Cincinnati College and graduated in 1855. Rutherford B. Hayes, afterwards President of the United States, was one of the board of examiners of said school. Afterwards General Weaver came to Bloomfield and engaged in the practice of his profession until the spring of1861. when he entered the Union army as a private soldier and was elected first lieutenant of Company G, Second Iowa Infantry. Afterwards was promoted to the rank of major of his regiment and then to colonel and afterwards was breveted brigadier-general by President Lincoln. General Weaver was engaged in many hard-fought battles along with his regiment. At the close of the war he returned to Bloomfield and again en- tered upon the practice of law and in 1866 was elected district attorney of the second judicial district, which was composed of seven counties, in which capacity he served for a term of four years. He was afterwards appointed United States assessor of internal revenue. Afterwards he entered the gen- eral practice and took an active part in politics. In 1878 he was elected to Congress from the sixth Iowa district and in 1886 was again elected to Con- gress. In 1880 he was nominated by the national Greenback party for Presi- dent of the United States and polled over three hundred thousand votes. In 1892 he was nominated for President of the United States by the Populist
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party and polled over one million votes, and received twenty-two electoral votes. General Weaver was a resident of Colfax, in Jasper county, for the past fifteen years and, while not in the active practice of the law, was engaged in literary work. General Weaver had a keen sense of justice and right and espoused the cause of the weak and oppressed and therefore was highly respected and esteemed by every person with whom he came in con- tact. He died on February 6. 1912.
THE PRESENT BAR.
The following are the present members of the Jasper county bar : A. A. Arnold, George T. Anderson, A. H. Brous, J. W. Burke, M. J. Carey, W. G. Clements, F. H. Clements, W. R. Cooper, P. H. Cragan, C. E. Cragan, J. E. Cross, Tim J. Campbell, C. O. Edge, J. II. Fugard, A. R. Gorrell, A. C. Gates, M. R. Hammer, Jr., J. C. Hawkins, P. H. Healy, P. E. Johannsen, F. L. Kennedy, L. S. Kennington, H. C. Horf, Jacob Kipp, George C. Kipp, J. Koder, L. E. Hall, A. K. Lufkin, E. P. Malmberg, W. O. McElroy, C. O. McLain, E. M. S. McLaughlin, O. C. Meredith, Ross R. Mowry, V. H. Mor- gan, H. L. Morgan, G. L. Morgan, O. P. Myers, E. C. Ogg, M. E. Penquite, J. B. Ryan, E. J. Salmon, Henry Silwold, F. W. Swearingen, G. M. Tripp, D. M. Tripp, L. A. Wells.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND MEDICAL SOCIETIES.
From the earliest history of mankind, in all countries, civilized and un- civilized, the medical inan has always been held in high esteem by those in need of his services. Whether it be the learned professor, who has had the advantages of many colleges and thoroughly understands the latest discov- eries in his science, or the "great medicine man" of the semi-civilized and half-tutored savage, who from actual experience has made discoveries of the healing properties of various roots and herbs, honor awaits him on almost every hand, while the life and death of a human being is virtually placed in his keeping. The weary patient, streached out on his bed of pain, and the - no less worthy watcher by his side, wait anxiously for the coming of the "good doctor," and, on his arrival, note his every movement. In health and strength we often speak lightly of the medical profession, but when the face is flushed with fever and the frame is full of pain and disorder, then it is that the doctor is most appreciated, for we know full well that nature can best be aided by medicines administered by one who has made materia medica his life study.
The early physicians in Jasper and adjoining counties were men of stand- ing and endured great hardships. as they faced the storms of an Iowa winter or the burning suns of summer, traveling on foot and on horseback, many times over roads almost impassable, with bridgeless streams, by day and by night. The "saddle-bag doctor" was here in evidence and the trained nurse was wanting, but was quite well substituted by the dear old grandmothers who seemed to have brought down from their homes in the eastern country many simple remedies and knew just how to care for the sick member of the family until the case needed a physician.
The early day doctors practiced for money, same as today. but then, as now, the honorable physician did not turn a poor person away without treat- ment, but administered the best he could and trusted to luck to be repaid. This trait has caused many a doctor to have thousands of dollars charged on his books which might as well never have been entered, for when the patient has been healed he too frequently forgets his family physician and pays others less worthy.
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The science of medicine has materially advanced in the last fifty years and surgery has within twenty-five years made wonderful strides. What once seemed impossible to perform, is today counted but the work of a few minutes and a great operation is performed and life saved thereby. New countries always have their own peculiar diseases and Jasper county had her full share of pioneer ailments to be cared for by the carly physicians, who were not al- ways of the brightest, highest type of medical men, but they carried out what they believed to be the best for those whom they treated. The later physi- cians were of a better educated type and met with good success-especially is this true of those who came to Jasper county after the close of the Civil war. That conflict was of itself a great surgeon maker and the result of the ex- perience is still felt in the hospitals and general practice of today, from ocean to ocean.
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