USA > Iowa > The United States biographical dictionary and portrait gallery of eminent and self made men, Iowa volume > Part 56
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kindly used his influence and secured a commission in the Russian service, which was accepted, and for over a year he was engaged in foreign service. At the close of the war he returned to Iowa, and en- gaged in private practice at lowa City.
In politics, he has always been an ardent republi- can, though never taking an active part in questions of governmental policy until the Kansas-Nebraska bill and the Dred Scott decision. From that time to the present he has been known as an earnest advocate of the representation principle, and in speeches often declared "that an absolutely wise and honest administration of public affairs was the only safety of the republic."
At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion he closed his office and was one of the first to offer his services to his country, and enlisted in the ranks of the army. He was soon made adjutant of his regiment, the Ist Iowa Cavalry, and in a few weeks was appointed captain and assistant adjutant-gen- eral, and from time to time was promoted to the offices of major and lieutenant-colonel, entirely with- out solicitation on his part. While in the army he had the reputation of being an officer of good exec- utive ability and solid integrity, having the respect and confidence of his superior officers and the love of the men in a high degree ; and when the war was over, and he about to return home, General Canby indorsed on his final order: "Few officers return from the service of their country with the conscious-
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ness that their every act has been approved, and that through their watchful care millions of dollars have been saved to the government. That consciousness you carry with you to your home, and with it the respect and love of your commanding officer and friend." At the close of the war he settled at Bur- lington and engaged in the practice of his profesz sion. He has the confidence of the medical men to a high degree. Not only at home is he well known and highly respected, but also throughout the state.
He is a man of quick perception, clear judgment and a high sense of honor. Positive in his charac- ter, he makes but little allowance for the men of policy, and is slow to forgive political offenses. The men who have degraded their high offices by thiev- ery and dishonesty find no excuse in his mind, and
he has for them only words of condemnation. By his bitter denunciation of demagogues and thieving officials he has made some enemies. This he does not regard, but sticks by his convictions and contin- ues his work, trusting that time and the better nature and judgment of men will correct the errors that disturb the harmony of our social system and de- grade and disgrace the public service.
He married in 1862 Miss Ellen L. Lutz, of Ohio, and has one daughter, an only child.
Dr. Stone has gained much prominence in his profession, and now stands among the first medical practitioners in the state. Appreciated ard beloved by a host of friends, his future bids fair to end on the top of the ladder of fame, the result of merito- rions services.
HON. ZEPHANIAH C. LUSE,
IOWA CITY.
AMONG the self-made men of our times none A deserve more honorable mention than Hon. Zephaniah C. Luse, past grand high priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and present grand master of Iowa.
He was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of January, 1826, and is son of Caleb and Margaret (Cuthbertson) Luse, both natives of Pennsylvania. His boyhood was passed upon a farm, and by attending the country schools gained the rudiments of an education. Being very ambi- tious, and feeling the great need of knowledge as the highway to success, he devoted himself to study. At eighteen he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which, having learned, he resolved to labor no more with his hands until he had acquired the education his mind had so long coveted. Accord- ingly, he wended his way to a distant county and entered an academy. The next five years were spent teaching part of the time to pay his way and qualify himself for college, which he successfully accomplished, thus gaining that practical education which has afterward been his greatest treasure. During these years, however, he (as many another ambitious youth) read law without an instructor, but did not till later years enter into its practice. In 1852 he removed to the west, and settled at St. Paul, but finding the climate too severe for his con- stitution, he traveled for a season, stopping at Rock
Island, Davenport and other places, until the spring of 1855, when he removed to, and permanently settled in, Iowa City.
Here he engaged as trader and as general auc- tioneer, continuing in that business till 1858, when he commenced the practice of law. Never ambitious for office nor the distinction it confers, he was never- theless appointed county judge in 1864, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Williams. This appointment was a compliment to his judg- ment and ability, as it was made by a board com- posed of those of opposite political faith. Holding at the same time the office of city solicitor, an office more congenial to his taste, he declined a nomination by his party for election to the office, and there- after devoted himself with renewed energy and dili- gence to his profession. Judge Luse had had dur- ing his early years a longing desire to become a Mason, but the prejudices of his father, who was a strong "anti-Mason," and who thought all Masons allied with Satan,- this, added after marriage to the opposition of his wife, prevented his earlier associa- tion with the body. With the lapse of years, how- ever, her opposition ceased, and she yielded her full consent, so that late in 1858 he joined the order in lowa City. The same ambition to learn and ad- vance which had urged him to acquire an education is manifest in his career as a Mason, and in 1859 he was elected senior warden, and in 1865 was
Fraternally yours 3.6. Juse
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elected junior grand warden of the Grand Lodge. After holding numerous offices in the subordinate and grand lodges which the briefness of our space will not allow of enumeration, he was in 1870 elected grand high priest, but owing to failing health in 1871 declined reëlection. Previous to this, in June, 1864, he was elected grand treasurer of the Grand Commandery of the State of Iowa, to which he was reëlected three successive terms. In consulting the records of the subordinate bodies, we find Judge Luse has served repeatedly as treasurer of them all. He received the degrees of the A. and A. rite, and was subsequently elected to the office of grand chancellor, which he continues to fill. In 1874 he was elected deputy grand commander, and in June, 1877, elected grand master. In all the bodies, grand and subordinate, he has ever proved an in- telligent, useful member, setting a worthy example.
In religious views, he is a Methodist, in which church, as in Masonry, his influence has been ex- erted for the good of his fellow-men, and amidst his sufferings he finds in the religion of his blessed Redeemer that consolation the world can neither given nor take away.
In politics, he is a republican, and an active advo- cate of its principles, though never accepting office. On the 9th of March, 1852, he married Miss Jane A. Henry, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania.
Much of Judge Luse's success in early life was due to the influence of a good christian mother, and in after years to a devoted, christian wife, influences which are, in the experience of nearly all, most happy and effective. In 1868 the judge's failing health admonished him that he should, at least for a season, give up his professional labors and seek a more active outdoor exercise. This he did, and in the fall of 1869 made a trip to the Pacific coast, returning with greatly improved health. In 1871 he was more severely attacked, but this time with rheu- matism, superinduced by overwork and study, which finally located in the head, and from that he suf- fered for a number of years, and still suffers occa- sionally. Recovering partially in 1873, he formed a copartnership with his son Frank, his only living child, under the firm name of Z. C. Luse and Son, in the raising of fine stock. Such has been his suc- cess that his name is used in connection with fine stock all over the country. His fine Jersey cattle have secured premiums in state and county fairs wherever exhibited, and gained the encomiums of both press and people. Such is the brief outline of the life-history of one who, struggling through trials, has worked his way from obscurity to a place of high esteem, and performed a work the influence of which shall live in the hearts of those who have known him, and increase with the passing years.
HON. WILLIAM G. STEWART,
DUBUQUE.
A MONG the honored names of Dubuque's early settlers, none are more worthy of record than that of William Graham Stewart, who for over forty years has been a citizen of Dubuque, and for more than half of which time he has held positions of honor and trust, with high credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
He was born in Lee county, Virginia, on the 10th of July, 1813, and is son of William and Jane Stewart, both natives of Virginia. His early edu- cation was limited, and embraced but the rudiments; but later, through his own efforts of reading and study, he has placed himself above others, with much better opportunities for learning.
In early life he had an ambition to see and live in the great west, and in September, 1831, on the removal of his father and family to Montgomery
county, Missouri, he accompanied them. In the spring of 1832 he was employed by the government to assist in the removal of the remnants of the tribes of Seneca, Delaware, and other tribes of Indians, from Ohio to their reservations, about one hundred iniles above Little Rock, Arkansas.
Having heard of the Galena lead mines and their great wealth, he determined to visit them. Arriving at Galena, in October, 1833, he remained until the Ioth of February, 1834, when he came to Dubuque (then in Michigan territory), and returned to Mis- souri the following summer.
After remaining away nearly a year, on account of sickness, he returned to Dubuque and engaged in farming and mining. Was elected sheriff of Du- buque county in 1847, and held the office for six years.
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In 1856 he was elected to the state senate for a term of four years. Was elected county treasurer, in 1869, by a large majority, and by reëlections held that office twelve years.
He is connected with the Dubuque and Sioux City, Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota, and Iowa Pacific railroads, and is active in the development of the interests of the city and country ; has always been identified with the democratic party, and an advocate of its principles ; and was a member of the order of the Sons of Temperance several years.
In religious views he is liberal, and is guided by
the principle that "man should do unto man as he would have man do unto him," fear God and obey the laws.
He was married on the 2d of June, 1842, to Mrs. Caroline Wilson, by whom he has six children, two sons and four daughters.
From boyhood up, Mr. Stewart's life has been marked by strict integrity, independent action, and close attention to business. Conscientious, benevo- lent, and warm in his affections, he has endeared himself to a large circle of friends, and presents an example of self-culture well worthy of emulation.
WILLIAM A. FOSTER,
DAVENPORT.
W ILLIAM A. FOSTER, attorney and coun- selor-at-law, was born at Davenport, Scott county, Iowa, on the 24th of July, 1842, and is one of the few members of the Iowa bar claiming the " Hawkeye " as their native state.
His parents were Asa and Cora (Wray) Foster, who moved from Indiana, and settled in Scott county, Iowa, in 1838, soon after the organization of the territory.
The Foster family is of Scottish origin and date their residence far back in the colonial history of New England; whence some of the descendants removed to Long Island, New York, and thence the grandparents of our subject removed to the west, and were among the pioneer settlers of Ohio and Indiana.
The early education of our subject was such as the log school-houses of a sparsely settled and im- perfectly organized new country afforded.
During his minority he resided upon the farm on which he was born. His father died when he was but thirteen years of age, and much of the respon- sibility of the care of the farm and the support of his widowed mother fell upon him. His tastes in early life were not averse to farming, but he was influenced by a strong desire to improve his limited oppor- tunities for education and observation ; and accord- ingly on attaining his majority he entered the Davenport high school, where the major part of his literary education was attained.
In the spring of 1865 he entered the law office of Davison and True, of Davenport, as a student, with- ont any fixed intention, however, of adopting the law
as a profession, but thought he might gather some practical knowledge that would be important to him in after life. He soon, however, became enthusias- tically fond of both the study and practice of the law; a sentiment which has grown with his growth and strengthened with his strength, until he has come to regard it as one of the noblest vocations on earth. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1866, and during the short interval he has risen to the very highest ranks of his profession.
Early in his career he developed not only a fond- ness but a passion for criminal practice, especially on the side of the defense. A prisoner behind the iron bars of a cell, protesting his innocence and im- ploring his assistance, appealed to his innermost sympathies, and nerved him to the most determined action. He makes the cause of his client emphat- ically his own, and acts as though he himself must rise or fall, sink or swim, with the accused.
For several years past he has been the acknowl- edged chief in this department of the practice, not only in his own district but throughout the state, and in other states.
Among the celebrated capital cases in which, dur- ing the past few years, he conducted the defense to a successful issue, were the following : Henning Lo- renzen and two others, charged with the killing of William Schuman in 1873; Lewis Johnson, charged with the murder of Mrs. Browler and child in 1874; Dr. Alberti, charged with the murder of F. E. Ehrig in 1875; Charles Hermann, charged with the murder of Russell, of Le Claire ; Samuel C. Prichard, charged with the murder of John Helmus, and Elizabeth C.
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Hervey, charged with the poisoning of Mrs. Mary Bruce; in every one of which, by his eloquence and consummate ability, he either cleared his clients or secured for them a greatly mitigated punish- ment, and that where the evidence seemed to be overwhelmingly against them.
In referring to the Prichard case, which was that of a youth of sixteen, charged with the murder of John Helmus, a farmer of Colfax county, Nebraska, and describing the effects of the eloquence of Mr. Foster on the court and spectators, the Fremont " Tribune " of the 3d of June, 1876, employs the following language :
The argument of Mr. Foster was a studied effort of four hours' duration. It was a masterly appeal, and it carried its effects. It carried the hearts of the crowded court-room to the gallows to witness the last agonizing farewell of the stricken mother . . . The scene was so graphically described that the wretched mother, who was in court, ran frantically to her boy, and clasping him around the neck rocked him to and fro in a very transport of agony. Ladies wept and strong men's hearts gave way at the scene. And when at last the orator closed his eloquent appeal, a murmur of subdued applause was heard above the sobs of women and the rustle of handkerchiefs. The jury retired and in half an hour returned with a verdict of acquittal.
As an illustration of his extraordinary influence over the minds of a jury, this extract must suffice, though the columns of the Davenport press during the past five years furnish numerous instances of a similar character.
He is emotional,-one of the absolute requisites of a successful criminal lawyer ; but he talks in that familiar way which is free from dithyrambic flights, but never wearies the audience.
His talents as a criminal lawyer are not, however, confined to his ability as an orator. He is an adept at cross-examination ; has a very insinuating, affable
and pleasant manner, and a witness is led into a snare so gradually, but so surely, that he is not con- scious of where he is drifting till he is overwhelmed with confusion.
Nor has he attained his success without diligent and laborious study. He has never appeared as counsel in any case, whether in the lowest or the highest court, which he had not thoroughly studied and mastered.
Almost from the outset of his career he has found himself pitted against the ablest and most expe- rienced lawyers of the bar, and with a success rarely paralleled by men of his years. Another important element in his strength is his earnestness; the sin- cerity of his manners and the momentum of his well- considered words tell powerfully on a jury.
Added to all, he is a gentleman of unimpeachable moral character and of the highest social standing. He is blessed with a robust constitution, which he in- vigorates by healthful outdoor exercise and athletic sports, being especially fond of hunting and fishing.
To all human appearance there is yet in store for William A. Foster a career of brilliancy and success that falls to the lot of but few men.
In politics, he is radically republican, and is now a member of the state senate.
In religion, he holds to the Protestant faith, but his views are not in harmony with any of the ortho- dox creeds, though he heartily indorses the golden rule, and the principles of Christ's sermon on the mount.
He was married on the 12th of June, 1867, to Miss Lucy M. Birchard, daughter of Backus Birch- ard, Esq., a large farmer, of Scott county, Iowa.
JOHN A. CARTON,
ACKLEY.
JOHN ARTHUR CARTON, who drew the first 2 load of lumber to Ackley, for his own building, and built the first elevator there, and who is second in enterprise to no man in the place, became a resi- dent of Iowa in 1856, moving from his home at Ottawa, Illinois, and arriving at Dubuque on the 4th of November of that year.
His father, James Carton, was one of the pioneer settlers of La Salle county, Illinois; and the family, brothers and sisters of Mr. Carton, still reside there.
The subject of this sketch made Ottawa his home
until after he became of age ; was educated at Otta- wa and Chicago for a civil engineer, and from 1856 to 1861 was on the line of the Dubuque and Pacific, now the Iowa branch of the Illinois Central rail- road, aiding to survey the route from end to end.
In 1861 Mr. Carton became a clerk in the bank of J. H. Leavitt, of Waterloo, Iowa.
On the demise of his father the following year, he returned to Ottawa, settled the estate, and in July, 1865, came to Ackley and built an elevator, and started a lumber yard, branches of which business
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he is still engaged in, and in which he has met with good success.
In 1870 he started a bank in company with John Christian Lusch. This institution has enjoyed a steady growth of business and possesses the un- limited confidence of the people. Mr. Lusch, his local partner, is a man of solid character, and, like himself, is a man of first-class business capacities.
Since settling in Ackley, Mr. Carton, the pioneer business man of the city, has made himself very use- ful in many ways in building up the city.
In education, and every commendable enterprise, he has been one of the foremost men. He has been especially active in the local school board, and has
served as a town trustee or member of the board of supervisors much of the time.
The interests of Ackley he has made his own, and with the first decade of its history his name is inwoven in an especially honorable manner. He is essentially one of the many enterprising town- builders of Iowa, and having energetic co-workers in Ackley. they have built up a lively town.
Mr. Carton is a republican in politics, but his taste rather inclines to business than office.
He is a Royal Arch Mason, a warden of the Episcopal church, and a man of pure character.
On the 3d of January, 1867, Miss Susan E. Ray- mond, of Ottawa, Illinois, became his wife.
HON. DAVID S. WILSON,
DUBUQUE.
H ON. DAVID S. WILSON, for nearly thirty years a member of the legal profession of Dubuque, furnishes an excellent example of that class of western lawyers who have achieved success and gained a competence by persevering adherence to their chosen calling. He was born at Steuben- ville, Ohio, on the 19th of March, 1825.
At the age of fourteen he graduated from the high school of his native town, and immediately removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and commenced the study of law, in the office of Hon. T. S. Wilson, his brother, and one of the three original judges ap- pointed by President Van Buren in 1838. After remaining in the office a short time he turned his attention to the editorship of the " Miners' Express," which he conducted with success until 1845, when he sold his interest and turned to the study of law.
So popular had he become with the people of his county, that in 1846, though but a month over age, he was chosen to represent them in the state legis- lature, and took an active part in the re-submission of the state constitution to the people.
During the Mexican war he was commissioned a lieutenant by Governor Clark, with authority to raise a company, which was employed to remove the tribe of Winnebago Indians from their reserva- tion at Fort Atkinson to Long Prairie, one hundred and twenty-five miles above the falls of Saint An- thony. They remained in service several months after the close of the war, on account of the inability of the government to relieve them.
Returning to Dubuque, he was admitted to the bar, and was immediately elected by the citizens as prosecuting attorney, which position he filled with ability for two terms, declining a further election.
In 1851, on the establishment of the land office at Dubuque, great inducements were offered to active, energetic men to engage in the speculations which followed. Forming a partnership with his brother, Hon. T. S. Wilson, they embarked in the enterprise with great success, until the storm of 1856-57 ruined their hopes, as it did hundreds of others.
In 1857 Mr. Wilson was elected to the state senate for a term of four years, and he served with such distinction as to soon be one of the leading men of his party. During the extra session called by Gov- ernor Kirkwood, to place the state on a war footing, he was nominated by the legislature to deliver a lecture on "The Right of States to Secede from the Union." Up to this time he had been an earnest democrat, and one of the strongest and best advo- cates of the principles of his party in the state ; but in the examination necessary in preparing his lecture, he found occasion to diverge some from his former opinions. He brought out a masterly effort in point-blank opposition to the right of secession, which evinced great research and thought, and was the first of the kind that appeared. So great was its popularity, that it was adopted as the war-docu- ment of the state, and the legislature published and circulated it by thousands throughout lowa. By invitation of the people of Des Moines, he repeated
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his lecture in that city to one of the largest audi- ences ever assembled at the capital. From this time Mr. Wilson worked in the cause of the Union during the war, and by his influence and example was of valuable aid.
In 1862, entirely without his knowledge and with- out solicitation, he was commissioned colonel, by secretary Stanton, of the war department. Although over fifty thousand men had been sent from the state to the army, by his personal exertions he raised his regiment. Just previous to their being mustered into the service, the outbreak of the Sioux Indians, followed by the Minnesota massacre, caused the government to send Colonel Wilson's regiment to the relief of the border, where they participated in several engagements. During the fall of 1863 Colonel Wilson built Fort Sully, on the upper Mis- souri, and during the following winter was stationed with his command along the Missouri river, for the protection of the settlers from Fort Sully to Sioux City. In June, 1864, he resigned his command, and in the following August removed to California, where he formed a partnership with his brother, S. M. Wilson, Esq., one of the leading lawyers on the Pacific coast, for the practice of their profession. After remaining two years he returned to Dubuque and resumed his practice, as well as practicing in the courts at Washington. In 1872 he was ap- pointed circuit judge, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Judge Barker. This office he held
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