Bar of Hardin County

J. C. Adams was a farmer, and about ten years ago commenced to educate himself as a lawyer.  He engaged in the profession for a time at Union, and is now at Radcliff.

Charles E. Albrook, attorney, Eldora, firm of Porter & Albrook, was born in Clarion county, Pa., in 1850.  He removed to Delaware county, Iowa, with his parents in 1857.  His father, Frank Albrook, was born in Union county, Pa., of English parentage.  His mother was a native of Wurtenburg, Germany.  The grandfather of Mr. Albrook was born in England, but fought in the war of 1812 on the side of the Americans.  Mr. Albrook graduated at Cornell College in 1874, and was engaged for a year afterward in teaching.  He came to Eldora and entered the office of Porter & Moir in 1876, and was admitted to the Bar in May, 1877.  The present partnership was formed September 1, 1882.  Married Addie, daughter of Nelson Gibbs.

William V. Allen was born in Madison county, Ohio, January 28, 1847, his parents being Samuel and Phoeba (Pugh) Allen.

In 1856 the family came to Iowa, and settled in Nevada, Story county. Here the subject of this sketch helped till the soil for a few years, but when the civil war broke out William V. Allen; although a mere boy of fifteen years of age, had his soul so stirred to action that in 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 32d Iowa Volunteers, and served three years and twelve days. During nine months of the time in service he was special dispatch carrier for Maj. Geer. At the close of the rebellion Mr. Allen returned to Iowa, and realizing the necessity of a better education, entered the Upper Iowa University, where he remained over two years. He then commenced the study of law with Hon. L. L. Ainsworth, of West Union, as preceptor, and was admitted to the Bar May 1, 1868.

After being admitted to the Bar, he practiced law in Fayette county until February, 1874, since which time he has been located at Ackley.

Mr. Allen was a Republican until 1872, when he supported Horace Greeley, of whom he was a great admirer. He was subsequently a candidate, on the Democratic ticket, for State Senator, and in the fall of 1878 was a candidate for Congress against Hon. N. C. Deering, but was defeated with the rest of the ticket. He has been City Mayor one term. In 1880 he supported James A. Garfield. Thus it can be seen that Mr. Allen is not a strict party man, but always asserts his right as an American citizen by voting for whoever he may deem the best man for the place. At Fayette, Iowa, on the 2d day of May, 1870, he married Miss E. Blanche Mott, daughter of A. J. Mott, of Fayette. They have three children, Lulu E., Henry B., and an infant.

Martin W. Anderson, attorney, is a native of Upper Canada, where he was born November 21, 1819.  His parents were native Americans.  He received a mercantile education, and went to Illinois in 1838; read law and was admitted to the Bar in 1853.   He has been in the exclusive practice of law since the latter part of 1857.   He came to Iowa Falls in December, 1865.

Benjamin P. Birdsall, one of the rising young attorneys of Hardin county, and son of Benjamin and Anna (Hyde) Birdsall, was born in Weyanwega, Wis., October 26, 1858.  In 1871 his parents came to Alden, and here he attended the public school, and afterward three years at the Iowa State University.  He then began the study of law with C. M. Nagle, of Alden, and was admitted to the Bar in 1878, at the age of twenty years, and immediately began the practice at Alden.  In August, 1880, in company with W. W. Jones, postmaster of Alden, he bought the Alden Times.  In politics, is Republican.  He is a member of the village council and President of the School Board.  He was married in December, 1877, to Miss Bertha H. Shultz, daughter of Frederick Shultz, of Alden.  One son has been born to them -- Maurice.  His father is a native of Chenango county, N. Y., and his mother of Cataragus county.  In 1836 they came west to LaSalle county, Ill., and in 1847 to Waupaca county, Wis.  His father laid out and was the founder of Weyanwega, Wis.  In 1871 he came to Hardin county, and is now a resident of Walled Lake, Wright county, where he superintends the working of his farm of 800 acres, and is the head of the banking house of Benjamin Birdsall & Son, of Alden.

John F. Brown located at Iowa Falls in the fall of 1855.  He was a native of New York, and educated himself for a lawyer.  He was a good scholar, with fair literary attainments.  He was also quite a politician, and, while in Hardin county, devoted the better part of his time to politics.  He had learned the art of making a political speech to perfection, and was regarded as the best political and temperance orator ever in the county.  While in this county he showed little adaptability to the profession of law, did but little business, and with little success.  He subsequently moved to Washington county, where he now resides.  Since leaving this county he has devoted less time to politics and more to his profession, and has met with good success in the profession, and accumulated competency.

A. M. Bryson was born in Hartford, Conn., in October, 1844.  His parents were of Scotch descent, but wee born in Connecticut.  His father, James Bryson, was for many years a large manufacturer of wollen goods.  In 1850 the family migrated to Allamakee county, Iowa.

In 1861 the subject of this sketch enlisted in the United States service; was transferred to Company L, 27th Iowa, and served nearly two years, when he was discharged on account of disability.  He then returned to Iowa, re-entered the Upper Iowa University, and remained until march, 1864.  He then went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he took a course at the Eastman Business College.

In December, 1865, Mr. Bryson returned to Iowa, and for two years was engaged in mercantile business at Nashua, Chickasaw county.  During this time he also ready law, and in 1868 was admitted to the Bar in Bremer county.  After being admitted to the Bar, Mr. Bryson was engaged in insurance and other business until 1873, since which time he has ben located at Ackley, and engaged in a general law and collection business.  He was married in December, 1865, to Miss C. H. Allen.  They have three sons and two daughters.

James F. Cady was born at Lamont, Ottawa county, Michigan , July 11, 1855 . He is the oldest son of Pearly P. and Olive B. Cady. His father is a native of the State of New York ; his mother, a daughter of Jeremiah Prescott, is a native of the State of Maine .

Mr. Cady came to Iowa in 1856 with his parents, who settled at Hardin, Alamakee county, where they began making for themselves a home and a farm.

Here, at the age of six years, in the graded school of the village, his school life began, and continued till he was ten years of age, when, in 1865, with his parents, he came to Hardin county and located on a farm which they had purchased, and on which they had purchased, and on which they still reside. Here he attended the common schools, and helped his father on the farm till 18 years of age, when he was sent to school at New Providence Academy. In the winter of 1873-4 he commenced teaching in the common schools of the county, taught seven terms, working on his father's farm, or canvassing for the Hawkeye Insurance Company between terms of school. Having chosen the law for his profession and the practice thereof for his business in life, he entered the law office of F. W. Pillsbury at Union , Ia. , April 19, 1870 , and studied diligently for two years, in the meantime assisting Mr. Pillsbury in the business of the office; and on the 16 th day of March, after a rigid examination, was admitted to the Bar in the March term of the Circuit Court, the Hon. D. D. Miracle, judge, administering the oath. In April following he formed a copartnership with L. O. Lowden, and commenced the practice of law at Hubbard under the firm name of �Lowden & Cady.�

After nearly a year of successful practice at Hubbard, Mr. Cady sold his interest in the firm to Mr. Lowden, severed his connection as partner, purchased the business of Mr. Pillsbury, and opened an office of his own in the thriving town of Union, where he is now, by studious habits and industrious efforts, honest and energetic dealing, building for himself a business both pleasurable and profitable.

Mr. Cady takes an active part in politics, and is a Republican from principle. He is a worthy member of society, and looks to the future with bright hopes and prospects.

----- Cassiday was an Irishman by birth, and a man of fair education and a fair lawyer.  He came to this county about 1874, from Wisconsin.  He was a man with a great fund of wit and sarcasm, but showed no marked ability in his profession.  He remained here about two years, and removed to one of the northwestern counties of Iowa, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession.

W. N. Davidson was a scholarly man, a man of good literary attainments.  He was a native of Ohio, and located in Franklin at an early day, and remained there till about 1874, when he sold out his practice and removed to Ackly [sic], where he remained about four years, and then moved to Minnesota, where he now resides.

Enoch Worthen Eastman

E. W. Eastman became a member of the Hardin County Bar in 1857, although he had attended several terms of the District Court prior to that time, and was recognized as one of the leading attorneys of the State.

Enoch Worthen Eastman was born in Deerfield, Rockingham county, New Hampshire, April 15, 1810.  He was the third of seven children -- five boys and two girls.  He was brought up to work, and until he became of age labored at any and all things that his hands could find to do, his parents receiving his wages.  At this time he had only received a limited common school education.

During the next five or six years, after he had become of age, he devoted all his earnings and leisure time to obtaining an education, and acquired what, in New England, was called a thorough academic English education.  At that time he had no intention of adopting a profession.  His object was to know something, and be qualified for all ordinary kinds of business.  Hard labor often brought upon him sickness, and, among other misfortunes, he took the small-pox, which left him in delicate health, which was soon followed by fever and general debility.  Attending church one Sunday, in feeble health, just recovering from a fever, a good Christian lady, taking him by the hand, said: "What is the use for you to try to work; you know you get sick every time you do it? Why don't you study a profession? Be a doctor or a lawyer.  Read law and be a good lawyer."  He went home, but the voice kept ringing in his ears, "Be a good lawyer."  And why not? In less than two weeks he began his studies, and soon after entered the office of Hon. Moses Norris as a student.  The law then required a student to read five years before being admitted to the Bar.  He read his legal time, was admitted, and practiced in New Hampshire until September, 1844, when he emigrated and located in Burlington, Iowa, in October of the same year.  In November, 1847, he removed to Oskaloosa, where he practiced his profession till the fall of 1857, when he removed to Eldora, where he has since continued to reside.  His practice has been large and profitable, involving some of the most important cases and securing him liberal fees.

Mr. Eastman was a Democrat until 1857, since which time he has been a strong Republican.  He has ever been in the advance, and waits not to see how the leaders or political "bosses" shall go before making up his mind as to the right or wrong of any question.  In 1863 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State for two years, receiving the largest majority, which, up to that time, had been given to a candidate for any State office.  He made an able presiding officer.  He took the gavel in hand while the rebellion was progressing, when the patriotism of the Union men of the North was at its heat, and when some were endeavoring to sow the spirit of discord among the friends of the Union.  Some idea of the boldness of the man and the spirit of the times, may be found by short extracts from his speech made on taking the chair, and which will be found on page 65 of the Journal of the Senate, January 15, 1864.  He referred to the "perilous times" in which the people were then living, to the fact that there were disloyal men in Iowa, and of the possibility of there being some member of the State Senate, whose devotion to the Union had ceased to exist, and then added:

"If unfortunately such a one is here, my heart's desire and prayer to God, is that his tongue may be paralyzed and cleave to the roof of his mouth, whenever he attempts to utter the intent of his heart.  For the honor of the State, I do hope that the patriotic men of Iowa, who have taken their lives in their hand and gone to the tented field, will not receive a shot in the rear from any member of this honorable Senate."

In the same speech, Mr. Eastman took advanced grounds on the question of the right of speech.  He declared that "no man has the legal, moral or political right to begin to do that which the law will punish him for consummating;" he added:

"Believing, therefore, as I do, that the axe should be laid at the root of the tree, I hold it unparliamentary for any one to talk treason, or advocate the cause of secession or any dismemberment of our Union, or in any way give aid or comfort to the rebellion, by pleading the cause of traitors, denouncing or disparaging the Government, in this Senate, while I preside over it.  The right of free speech in a legislative assembly does not extend beyond the bounds of loyalty."

Gov. Eastman has always taken an active part in establishing and building up the political, educational and charitable institutions of the State.  When he came to the Territory there was no system of common schools in it, and he found many opposed to it.  By voice and with pen he advocated the system.  The following is an extract from his writings, published in a Burlington paper shortly after his removal to the Territory:

"As it is the duty of every nation to perpetuate its own existence, and strive to make all its members prosperous and happy, and as the present political generation will soon yield its place, with all the responsibilities of this powerful Nation, increased by the progress of art and science and the march of mind, to those who are now youths and sucklings, how indispensably necessary it is for the Government to prepare the mind of the youth for the high station which awaits it, and how infinitely more essential it appears when we reflect that this is the only means within the power and control of the Government to enable it to transmit itself unsullied to posterity.  It is on this principle -- on the blessed truth that the mind of the youth is public property, and, in the rapid current of events, soon to become both the pillars and edifice of the nation -- that our public schools are established.  The Nation knows no distinction between the poor and the rich; each are equal, and both are alike to be prepared for any issue.  Mind, from its very position in the Government, becomes paramount to property and every other minor thing.  The mind of the youth, if I may use the expression, is not only heir to the throne, but is the Government itself in embryo.  And herein it follows that, as it is the duty of the Government to know itself, to preserve and perfect its own nature, and carefully protect all its members, and has a right to everything necessary for its preservation, so it is within its power and duty to appropriate an equal portion of all property, whether its holder has children or not, to the education of all youth, and the mind of the poorest child is absolutely entitled to receive from the Government the same nurture as that of the child of the most opulent of the whole Nation."

These articles on education were written in the Territorial days of Iowa, and before the controversy arose about expelling the Bible from the schools, and dividing the school money to the different religious sects, but upon sectarian instruction Mr. Eastman said:

"But of all the evils to be guarded against, secretarian books and sectarian teachers are the most important.  They plant the very evils which it is in the province of a proper education to uproot.  You must leave the pupil to learn doctrines at home or at church, where he can have the instructions of a professor on each religious creed and doctrinal point.  Out Government has no established religion.  It tolerates all parties and creeds, but teaches none.  It recognizes a great Sovereign of the Universe, before whom all its officers take an oath, and is regulated by a constitution.  Of these you can speak, leaving the mind free from bias.  You must bear in mind that you are the servant of the Government, and not of a political party or religious sect.  You are to educate the pupil for the use of the Government.  You are also to bear in mind the broad distinction between instructing and educating.  You are not simply to impart knowledge.  You are not simply to train the memory, making the mind a library or lumber room, stored with other men's thoughts and theories.  That is only teaching.  You are to expand the mind, and train it to think and act for itself -- enable it to analyze.  You must infuse into the mind self-reliance, and give it self-help, self-trust and internal rigor; for every one must act for himself, think for himself, that he may choose the good and shun the evil; and he had better think wrong sometimes than not to think at all.  The pupil must be inspired with an invincible love of truth, that he may investigate for the sake of truth.  You must inspire the whole heart and soul with a love of honor and moral integrity.  You must give boldness and heroism to the heart.  In short, you must unfetter the immortal mind, unbind the image of God, give freedom to the thoughts, capacity and strength to the understanding, that it may walk alone, and gain strength by its own exercise.  This is education, and he who is thus educated will answer the end for which he was made."

That Gov. Eastman has in him a heart, is evident, from the fact in the reform school trouble, an account of which will be found in the history of that institution, he devoted seventy days to the trial, prosecuting on the part of the State against the superintendent, for which he received nothing, except the satisfaction of seeing a radical reform in the management of the institution, and it be made as he expressed it, "a humane institution, not a prison, a home, not a bastile."

In 1850, Gov. Eastman became a member of Triluminar Lodge, No. 18, Oskaloosa, since which time he has been an active member of the order.  He was a representative of his lodge to the Grand Lodge in 1855, 1857 and 1861, on all of which occasions he was of great service on committees, chiefly those of grievance and jurisprudence, as well as in the consideration of important questions in the Grand Lodge.  He was also present at the annual communication of the Grant lodge in 1865, and was one of a committee of three to prepare an expression of feeling prevailing in Grand Lodge, relative to the assassination of President Lincoln.  Since that time professional duties have prevented his attendance at Grand Lodge.  In 1857 and also in 1858 he was elected Grand High Priest in the Grand Chapter.

In religious matters, Gov. Eastman is a Unitarian, but there being no organization of that denomination in Eldora, he worships with the Congregationalists.

He was united in marriage January 8, 1845, with Sarah Caroline Greenough, of Canterbury, New Hampshire.  She was a graduate of Bradford Seminary, Massachusetts, and was a highly accomplished lady, an excellent wife and mother.  From this marriage survive four children; three girls and one boy.  Returning home from the Grand Lodge, in Dubuque, in 1861, he found his wife delirious with typhoid fever, of which she died, with recognizing him after his return.  In 1865 he was again married, uniting with Miss Amanda Hall, by whom he has one son.

Gov. Eastman stands six feet one inch in height, and weighs about on hundred and seventy-five pounds.  He has a spare form, quite muscular, and capable of enduring much fatigue.  He has an ample chest, with wholesome lungs and good digestive apparatus.  He has a positive mental temperament, a large and active brain, and expressive features.  His head is covered with a heavy growth of dark hair, now tinged with gray.  His character gathers strength from the base of his brain.  He has large firmness, intuitive and logical, and comprehends the law of cause and effect, or the laws of analogy, by which the true relations of society are determined by the natural laws of their being.  In his life he is consistent, and in his declarations earnest and eloquent.  He never wavers, but is always true to his convictions.

Josephus Eastman was a native of New Hampshire, and was born in 1822.  He received his literary education in Hartford College, and also graduated from the law department of that institution.  He located in Boston in the practice of his profession about 1848, and remained their ten years.  In 1858 he came to Eldora, and for a time was a law partner of his brother, E. W. Eastman.  He went from here to Grinnell in 1863, from which place, after the close of the war, he went to Missouri, and from there to Dickinson county, Kansas, where he died about 1872.

L. H. Evans was a man about thirty-five years of age when he came to this country, about 1873, and located at Union, where he commenced the practice of his profession, but by peculation in business proved himself to be an immoral man.  He was subsequently indicted for embezzlement in Marshall county and placed in jail; escaping therefrom, he has never been heard from.

John N. Fairchild was a young man of liberal education, bred a lawyer, and a man of some literary attainment, fair talent, but with little experience in his profession.  Died within a year after settling in Hardin City, in 1854.

E. M. Finkbone came to Eldora from Ohio, as a traveling insurance agent, in 1878. He was a young man with but little attainments in a literary point of view or his profession. He was of a rough character, and provoked a quarrel by slandering a young lady in Eldora, which resulted in an assault uon his person by a young man by the name of Teiege, which came near resulting in his death. He remained here about a year, and then went West.

O. W. Garrison, of Iowa Falls, is a native of New York, being born in Mecklenberg, in that State, in 1840.  He came to Oregon, Illinois, in 1857.  He studied law in the office of Hon. H. A. Mix, and was admitted to the Bar in 1861.  In 1866 he came to Iowa Falls, and entered upon the practice of his profession.  He was the first Mayor of that town.  For several years past he has been editor and proprietor of the Iowa Falls Sentinel.  Every enterprise calculated to build up the town of Iowa Falls meets him with his cordial approval and active assistance.

J. S. Gaulding was from Kentucky; came to Hardin county in the summer of 1855, and located at Eldora.  He was a man about forty-five years of age, evidently a well educated man, and a man of ability as a lawyer.  He had a good practice in his native State.  He was a man of reckless habits and bad character.  Left the county in the fall of 1855.

Fred Gilman, one of the prominent members of the legal profession of Hardin county, is the youngest son of Dr. Z. Gilman and Miss Naoma (McNeal) Gilman, and he was born in Piermont, Grafton county, New Hampshire, on the 13th day of December, 1849.

When he was fifteen years of age, he removed with his parents to Morrisville, Vermont, but he was subsequently educated at Meridino, New Hampshire, where he graduated in June, 1867. 

He then taught two terms in the Academy at Albany, Vermont, but he did not wish to follow teaching as a livelihood in the future; he therefore commenced the study of law in the office of Powers & Gleed, of Morrisville, was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1869, and in the month of December following, although but nineteen years of age, he was made Master in Chaucery of the Supreme Court of the State.

Mr. Gilman soon concluded to seek his fortune in the west, and accordingly, in April, 1870, immigrated to Iowa, and located at the young and thriving town of Ackley.  Here he has given his entire attention to his profession, and has therefore a large practice in the counties of Hardin, Franklin, Grundy and Butler.  His law library, which contains nearly five hundred (500) volumes, is one of the best to be found in this part of the State.

In politics Mr. Gilman is a Republican, but has never had a desire to hold public office.  He has been a member of the Ackley fire department since its organization.  He is a Royal Arch Mason, being a member of the Chapter at Hampton.

Mr. Gilman, in June, 1873, was united in marriage with Miss Cora Burns, daughter of Michael Burns.  They have two children, Lou and Burnie.

George L. Griggs located in Iowa Falls in 1866, and remained there till 1879.  For a time he was associated with I. M. Weaver in the practice of his profession.

Allen Greer was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 4, 1822, where he grew to manhood, and in 1846 married Rebecca Bradfield, a native of Virginia, born November 24, 1828.  About the time of his marriage he read law and was admitted to the Bar.  When the gold excitement in California broke out, he went to that Eldorado and remained one year.  Returning home, with his family emigrated to Iowa, and located as Oskaloosa, where he remained three years, engaged in the mercantile trade and in the practice of his profession.  He then came to Jackson township, where he had entered a section of land, but soon afterwards engaged in the mercantile business at Berlin, a town which laid out on section 22.   His health being poor, he devoted but little time to the practice of law, but gave more of his attention to farming.  In the early days of the war he assisted in raising a company for the 32d Iowa Infantry, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant.   He resigned the office toward the close of the war on account of ill health.   He afterwards engaged in business at Iowa falls, but was not able to practice his profession.  Mr. and Mrs. Greer were the parents of eight children -- Henry C., William A., Mary E., Eva L., Josephine, Carrie L., Emma E. and Ida B.  Several years after the close of the war Mr. Greer took a trip to Colorado with a view to benefiting his health, and was gone six months.  He died on his farm, three miles north of Berlin, March 5, 1875.  His widow now resides in Eldora.

J. F. Hardin is a native of Champaign county, Ill., where he was born October 11, 1852.  He came to Iowa with his parents when twelve years of age. His parents are residents of Clay township, this county.  Mr. Hardin began the study of law in 1877, and practiced at the law school at Des Moines in 1878.  The co-partnership of Albrook & Hardin was formed in 1879.  Mrs. Hardin was formerly Miss Mary C. Carpenter, native of Illinois.  They have two children.  Mr. and Mrs. Hardin are graduates of Ames College.  The former graduated in 1876, the latter in 1877.

Henry L. Huff has been a member of the Hardin County Bar a longer period than any other attorney.  Henry Lewis Huff is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Cumberland county on the 29th of January, 1829.  His parents were John and Priscilla (Davis) Huff.  His father died when Henry was in his infancy.  His mother moved to Wayne county, Ohio, and married John Mercer.  In his youth Henry worked on a farm and a short time in a tailor's shop, attending a district school part of the time each year.  At an early age he had a desire to be a lawyer, and at sixteen, while spending three terms at the Edinburgh Academy, near where he lived, he also devoted some time to the study of law.  Three or four years later, having read diligently all the time at home, he went to Muncie, Indiana, and studied with Judge March, and was admitted to the Bar in that place in August, 1853.

In December, 1853, Mr. Huff removed to Iowa, and the following spring opened an office at Marengo, Iowa county, in partnership with Hon. J. D. Templin, of Iowa City.  At the end of one year he removed to Hardin county, and on the 20th of May, 1855, located at Hardin City, then the principal town in the county.  Here, in connection with C. G. Ankeny, under the firm name of Ankeny & Huff, he opened a real estate and law office.  In the fall of 1856 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Hardin county, and in 1857 moved to Eldora, where he has since continued to reside.  A portion of the time that he was County Attorney he was ex-officio County Judge.  He held the office until legislated out in 1858.

In 1860 and 1861 he was in partnership with Hon. J. D. Thompson, the firm being Huff & Thompson.  From the latter date until 1869 he was alone.  He then admitted as a partner S. A. Reed, and under the firm name of Huff & Reed the co-partnership continued until April 1, 1881.  He again continued the practice of his profession alone until April, 1882, when a partnership was formed with F. W. Pillsbury.  Except during the short period in which he was in the service of the State, he has devoted his entire time to his profession.

Mr. Huff was a member of the lower house of the General Assembly during its thirteenth session, in 1869-70.  He was on five or six committees, and chairman of two or three.  He drew all the bills presented by the committee on commerce; was a leading member, though no chairman, of the judiciary committee, and was known as one of the most diligent men of that body.  He was a fluent speaker, but his work more than his eloquence left its impress on that assembly.

On the 11th of May, 1861, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth B. Devin, of Abingdon, Illinois.  They have been blessed with eight children, tow of whom have passed on to the better land -- George H. and Henry L.  The living are Edwin J., Cora F., Thomas, Herbert A., Clyde C. and Luella.

Mr. Huff is a Master Mason, and is a member of the Eldora Chapter.  In politics, he was originally a Democrat, and continued as such until the opening of the rebellion, since which time he was been a Republican.

In every public enterprise, Mr. Huff has taken an active interest.  He was one of the prime movers in that enterprise which brought a railroad from Ackley to Eldora, and was President of the Eldora and Steamboat Rock Coal Company, which originated the enterprise.  In its incipiency, and during its progress, he gave much time and his great energies to the work.  On the organization of the Terra Cotta and Fire-clay Company, he became a stockholder and a director.  In fact, every public enterprise has had his support.  Thus in the several gradations of life he has maintained an unusual degree of energy, perseverance, and has ever maintained a deep regard for all that pertained to individual and public advancement; kind, charitable and obliging, he has surrounded himself with warm and devoted friendship.  As a lawyer, he has but few equals.  Coming to the State in an early day, he has had the privilege of watching the legal advancement of our State; and being possessed of a very retentive memory, he is well calculated to judge of the intendment of legislation.  He is a prudent and save counsellor, and a first-class jury lawyer.  He now stands at the head of his profession in the State.  He has, by his honest and faithful work, assisted materially the Supreme Court of the State in establishing honest and lasting principles that govern the civil conduct of our people.  He is now in his social relations of life, reaping the harvest of honor and respect, sown by him in his youth and early manhood.

A good story is related at the expense of Mr. Huff, which must not be lost.  In a trial before the district court, in which he appeared as one of the counsel, Augustus Mitterer, of Point Pleasant, was introduced as a witness.  Now, Augustus was  German, and retained much of the German dialect in his speech.  He was also supposed to be a free and independent citizen of the United States, and entitled to all the rights and privileges pertaining to citizenship.  In his capacity of a good and worthy citizen, he had been labored with some months previous by Mr. Huff, who was a candidate for the Legislature, to cast his vote for him for that office.  It is not known whether the persuasive influence of the gentleman had its desired effect or not, nor is it necessary to the truth of this story.  Enough to say Mr. Mitterer was placed upon the stand, duly sworn, and was then catechized by Mr. Huff somewhat as follows

"What is your name?"
"Augustus Mitterer."
"Where do you reside?"
"In Point Pleasant."
"What is your age?"
(The answer was given.)
"You are a German, are you not?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well, Mr. Mitterer, have you ever been naturalized?"
"Vot for you ask me dot question now?" he responded indignantly.  "Why you no ask it when you were running for office, and come out to mine blace and talked so much to me to get mine vote?"

L. O. Lowden, attorney-at-law, was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1833, where he remained until 14 years of age; thence to Wyoming county, New York.  His educational advantages were common school with an attendance at Castle Academy in Wyoming county.  He remained in Wyoming county five years; he then returned to Pennsylvania, remaining two years; thence to Chisago county, Minnesota, in 1854, and engaged in blacksmithing, being one of the pioneer settlers of Taylor's Falls, Minn.  Remaining here two years he went to Sunrise City, Minnesota, remaining nearly ten years.  While here he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, which office he held eight years.  While holding this office he studied law under Judge Setzer, of Sunrise City.  He was re-elected to the office of justice of the peace, but did not qualify, owing to his removal from the State.  November, 1868, came to Hardin county, Iowa, and engaged in farming and mercantile pursuits, also in the practice of law at Pleasant Tp.  In spring of 1881 he settled at Hubbard, and formed a partnership with J. F. Cady, forming the law firm of Lowden & Cady, and remained in partnership with Mr. Cady until February 1, 1882, when Mr. Lowden bought the business, and Mr. Cady returned to Union.

Mr. Lowden has been twice nominated to the Legislature by the Greenbackers, but not elected.  He was married in 1856 to Miss Nancy E. Bogg, a native of Steuben county, New York.  They have been blessed with ten children, six of whom are now living:  May Adelaide, now the wife of John A. Hammet, Frank O., Eveline D., Allie, Belle and Nellie.

Mrs. Lowden was born in Steuben county, New York, October 8, 1836.  Her father, William Bregg, was born near Auburn, N. Y., and received a good, liberal education.  When about twenty-one years of age, he married Elenor Elliott, also a native of Auburn, by whom he had three boys and five girls, Mrs. Lowden being the youngest.  Her father was one of the prominent men of his county, holding the office of sheriff quite a number of years.  Her brother, William L. Marcy Bregg, had the misfortune of being born deaf and dumb, was a graduate of New York Deaf and Dumb Asylum, at New York City, and taught in same institution one year, when he was recommended by Professor Fay, of that asylum, for a professorship in the Deaf and Dumb Asylum in Michigan, which position he held from its foundation until his death, in 1876.

Mrs. Lowden has a good, liberal, common-school education, and also attended Dansville (Steuben county) Academy.  After finishing her education, she followed the profession of school teaching three years.

T. H. Milner came to Iowa Falls in November, 1878, and remained here till July, 1882.  He was from Jackson county.

Hon. William J. Moir, of Eldora, is a native of Scotland, and was born at Buchan, October 19, 1824.  His parents emigrated to Canada in 1830, where his father, John Moir, resided till his death.

Mr. Moir has been a resident of the United States since 1843.  He was educated, in part, at Derby Academy, Vermont.  He was naturalized at Plymouth, Indiana, in August, 1854; he began the study of law the same year at Plymouth, where he was admitted to the Bar about 1856.  He came to Eldora May 8, 1856, and has resided here, in the practice of his profession, since that time.  He was married, October 27, 1847, to Miss Olive J. Ball, a native of Canada.  They have two children -- Marcus W., born in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1851, and George J., in Eldora, October 14, 1861.  Mr. Moir is a successful lawyer and a representative man, ever prominent in any enterprise whose aim is the welfare of the best interests of the people.  He has twice represented this district in the Legislature, having been elected in 1861 and again in 1863.  He is at present trustee and treasurer of the "Iowa Reform School," at Eldora.  Has been a Republican always.

A. C. Murphy was at one time a prominent lawyer in Wisconsin; came to this county about 1872, and located at Ackley.  He was a man of intemperate habits.   He left about 1877.

F. W. Pillsbury, attorney, of the firm of Huff & Pillsbury.  Mr. Pillsbury is a native of Maine, having been born in 1845.  When ten years of age, he removed with his parents to Livingston county, Ill., where his father still resides.  Mr. Pillsbury began the study of law at Pontiac, Ill., in 1868, with his father, Judge N. J. Pillsbury, and was admitted to the Bar October 17, 1869.  He located at Union, Hardin county, and engaged in the practice of his profession in 1874.  His present partnership with H. L. Huff, Esq., was formed April 1, 1882.  Married Catherine Parke, a native of Maryland.  They have one daughter -- Gracie.

Samuel A. Reed, Esq., attorney, is a native of Indiana, where he was born in 1839.  He removed with parents to Ohio, where he lived about five years, and thence to Wisconsin, where he lived eleven years, and thence to the State of Iowa.  He enlisted, in 1861, in Company E, Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served in the army about five years.  He participated in many hard-fought battles.  At the battle of Champion Hills he was severely wounded, his skull being fractured; when taken up he was supposed to be dead, and was being removed with the dead for burial when consciousness returned, and he was rescued from a fate terrible to contemplate.  When he had sufficiently recovered he was made a First Lieutenant in a colored regiment, which position he held about one year, when he was promoted to a Captaincy, serving two years.  A greater part of the time while Captain, was on the staff of Gen. Hawkins as Ordnance Officer.  He began the study of law, after the war, at Independence, in this State, with J. S. Woodward, Esq.; was admitted to the Bar in the fall of 1867, and located at Ackley immediately after, where he remained one year, then came here and became associated with H. L. Huff, Esq., with whom he continued till April 1, 1881.  His wife was Lydia Raymond.  They have one son, John.

A. Pratt Roberts is a Pennsylvanian, and located at Ackly [sic] among the first citizens of the town.  He had been admitted to the Bar, and claimed to be an educated lawyer; practiced his profession but little in this county, and engaged in mercantile trade in Ackly [sic].  He left the county some years ago.

John S. Roberts is a native of Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio; born July 18th, 1854.  His parents, John B. and Jane S. (Struble) Roberts, were both natives of New Jersey.  They reared a family of eleven (11) children, seven of whom are now living -- three sons and four daughters. 

The subject of this sketch received a good common school education, and in 1871 came to Ackley.  Here he first clerked in a grocery store, then worked in a printing office about eighteen months, and subsequently worked at various employments until 1874, at which date he clerked in a drug store a few months, during which he commenced the study of medicine and continued the same about two years; but as he was too tender-hearted to withstand the trials and scenes of a physician and surgeon, he gave up the study.

As Mr. Roberts always depended upon himself for support he learned the painter's trade while he was pursuing the study of medicine, this he continued, and in October, 1878, commenced reading law with J. H. Scales as preceptor, and on the 16th day of September, 1879, was admitted to the Bar in Butler county.  After being admitted to the Bar Mr. Roberts continued reading in the office of his preceptor until January, 1881, when he opened an office, and has since been engaged in a general law and collection business.

He is a Republican in politics, and is at present City Attorney of Ackley.  Mr. Roberts was married June 23, 1881, at Ackley, to Miss Sarah Loosa, daughter of Martin Loosa, of Ackley.  They have one daughter -- Edith L.

M. P. Rosecrans was a man of limited education, and engaged in farming when he came to Hardin county, in 1855.  He was a man of some native ability and studious habits.  he was not a thorough lawyer, and has never been a success in the profession.  He was admitted to the Bar in Hardin county, and moved to Hancock county about 1859, where he has practiced his profession, and has been County Judge of that county.  He afterwards moved to Clear Lake, in Cerro Gordo county, where he now resides, at times an editor and engaged in various avocations.

J. H. Scales is a native of Galena, Ill., and he was born on the 18th day of December, 1844.  His father, Joseph Scales, is a native of Rockingham county, N. C., and his mother, Nancy (Trumbeau) Scales, is a native of the State of Kentucky. 

The subject of this sketch completed his school days at the University of the Lake, at Chicago; subsequently read law with P. B. Simpson as preceptor, and on the 29th day of April, 1869, he was admitted to the Bar of Lafayette county, Wis.

In April, 1870, Mr. Scales located at Ackley, and has since been engaged in a general law and collection business, and, as he has given his entire attention to his profession, is now a prominent and successful member of the Bar.

In March, 1882, Mr. Scales associated with J. W. Blakey as partners, since which time the firm has been J. H. Scales & Co.

In politics, Mr. Scales is a Democrat.  He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a charter member of the Knights of Honor, and of the Knights and Ladies of Honor. 

Mr. Scales was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Ivey, daughter of Richard Ivey, of Shullsburg, Wis., and they now have three children -- Elmo, Ora and Alfred.

James Danforth Thompson, born September 19, 1832, near Fredonia, Chatauqua county, New York, is the second son of Capt. Isaac K. and Emily D. Thompson, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Vermont, descendants of English forefathers, who settled in New England before the Revolution. He lived with his parents on a farm. Attending the common school, and afterwards the academy in Fredonia, New York, till seventeen years of age, when he went to Niagara county and taught his first school. During that winter his father was accidentally killed, and from that time he was left to his own unaided exertions.

At the close of his school, in the spring of 1850, he returned to Fredonia and again resumed his studies at the academy, and in his leisure hours read law, teaching again the following winter in Laona, a town near Fredonia, and still continuing his law studies. In the spring he entered the law office of Hon. O. W. Johnson, of Fredonia, and at the same time recited with his class in the academy until he finished his law studies. Always of slight physical development and high nervous temperament, such close application told seriously on his health, having been a sufferer from neuralgia to such an extent for three or four years as to compel him to read mostly at night, it now completely prostrated him; and for more than a year he was unable to read even the weekly newspaper, and for more than two years it stuck to him �closer than a brother,� never during all that time, being free from it two weeks in succession. In the spring of A. D. 1854, he came to Iowa, having passed one year in Kentucky and one in Ohio, engaged in railroading, both in constructing and engineering; arrived at Marietta, the county seat of Marshall county, on the 24 th day of May, meeting there Hon. Delas Arnold, an old friend and school-mate, his only acquaintance in the State. After remaining in Marshall a few weeks, he concluded to make Hardin county his home, and on the evening of the 15 th day of June he walked into Eldora with his satchel on his back, and soon opened a law office, engaging in surveying and real estate business. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney at the next regular election, and in the summer of 1855 became County Judge by the resignation of Judge Alexander Smith. Was nominated by the Democrats for that office during the Know-Nothing excitement, but withdrew from the contest. Returned to New York in the fall and was married to Miss Dorinda Clough, at Laona, on the 12 th day of September, A. D. 1855, and immediately started for Iowa.

In the spring of 1857, at the request of the Democracy and a few personal friends of the Republican party, he consented to run for the office of Judge of the District Court, and though the district was largely Republican, was elected for the term of four years, holding the office till legislated out by the adoption of the �new constitution.�

At the request of the Democratic Central Committees of the different counties, he announced himself as an independent candidate for re-election, but owing to the aspirations of others then professing to belong to that party, he consented to go before a convention of his party, and was nominated, receiving 36 of the 39 votes on the first ballot. The district being largely Republican, and the excitement of the �Dred Scott� decision at its height, a regular nominee of a Democratic convention could expect nothing but defeat, and when the contest was decided his opponent, Hon. John Porter, had a majority of less than 300 votes. This was a time, also, of county seat removals. Of the counties forming the district, three-fourths had, during his term of office, held elections, and in most cases the contest was carried into the District Court for adjudication.

While holding the office of judge, being largely interested in the town of Hampton, the county seat of Franklin county, he moved there and resided a portion of the time; returning to Eldora after the expiration of his term of office, he entered into partnership with Hon. H. L. Huff, and continued in the practice of his profession till he entered the army in 1861; was a member of the State convention that sent delegates to Charleston in 1860, and canvassed a portion of the State for Douglass in that exciting campaign; volunteered as private in Capt. Stumps' company, but withdrew by permission to assist in the organization of the 1 st Iowa cavalry; raising and commanding Company �G� of that regiment; returned to Hardin county and took an active part in the election of the fall of A. D. 1861, supporting Hon. W. J. Moir as the Union candidate against J. F. Brown, Esq., the Republican nominee; after the election returned to his regiment, and was from that time in active service with his company and battalion during the years 1861-2; that battalion accompanying Gen. Fremont in his famous campaign to Springfield; was present commanding his squadron at the battle of Milford in December of 1861, when, after a sharp fight, 1,300 rebels under Cols. Robinson and Magoffin surrendered to 400 men of the 1 st Iowa Cavalry and 50 regulars under the command of Gen. J. C. Davis; a success that gave Gen. Pope prominence, and which he utilized to its full extent. Again at Silver creek, Howard county on January 8, 1862, when the 1 st Iowa and a part of Merrill's Horse defeated Poindexter. In February, 1862, having been placed in command of the cavalry stationed at Sedalia, Mo., he with a detachment of the 1 st Iowa, numbering in 120 men, fill upon 800 confederates under Gen. E. W. Price, son of Gen. Sterling Price, while crossing the Osage river at Warsaw, about four o'clock on the morning of the day of the battle of Fort Donelson, and succeeded in cutting off and capturing Gen. Price, Col. Dorsey and other officers, and some 50 or 60 men, 400 horses, mules, etc., for which service he received special commendation from Gen. Halleck. In April of the same year, he was ordered to Warrensburg to relieve the garrison under Major Foster of the Missouri troops, who had been driven into the stockade, and besieged by Quantrell and Parker.

Leaving Sedalia at 11 o'clock of a rainy night, by a forced march of 30 miles, he reached Warrensburg at sunrise, with 200 men and a section of artillery, to find Quantrell had raised the siege and decamped, moved out 15 miles from Warrensburg and fell in with Col. Parker and a portion of Quantrell's troops, and engaged in a running fight for two or three miles through the timber, killing Capt. Griffith and four or five men, and wounding as many more; captured Col. Parker and fifteen or twenty of his troops; was ordered to Lexington in May, and thence to Clinton; was a member of the military commission at Butler, Bates county, during the summer of 1862; assuming command at Clinton in August for a while, but owing to an unyielding attack of neuralgia, and sickness and death in his family, he resigned in October and returned home to remain only till his health improved, when he again returned to the army, having been commissioned major of the 8 th Regiment Iowa Cavalry; soon after he joined his regiment it was ordered south, and by the 1 st of December reached Nashville, Tenn. During that month he was assigned to the command of a sub-district, under the immediate command of Gen. Gillem, with headquarters at the terminus of the Western R. R., 30 miles out from Nashville.

During this winter he succeeded in defeating, killing, and capturing at different times the most of the celebrated �Hawkin's Scouts,� and driving Col. Hawkins, their commander, into the arms of the 2d Kentucky Cavalry, as it was marching through the country; was ordered to Iowa in March, 1864, in command of a detachment to escort recruits to different regiments in the department of the Tennessee. After discharging that duty, he was detailed on court martial at Nashville till Gen. Sherman was ready to begin his �march to the sea,� when he was ordered to his regiment, then stationed at Cleveland, Tenn., but soon destined to move to the front, where it was engaged continually in scouting and skirmishing; at one time 13 days successively under fire, till the unfortunate raid near Rome, Georgia, resulting in the capture of its Colonel and most of the regiment, a portion only cutting its way out with Gen. Ed. McCook; was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel for gallant and meritorious service. The terrible strain of such severe and continued service, the exposure and over exertions, resulted in an attack of neuralgia of the heart, so violent as to compel him to be sent to the hospital at Nashville for treatment, where he remained nearly three months without improvement, and till discharged, on certificate of permanent disability, by a Medial Board specially appointed.

Arriving home in the fall of 1864, broken down in health but not in spirit, he located on his farm, and for two years engaged in agriculture.

In 1866 he was nominated for Congress by the �People's party,� and made a thorough canvass of the district, and though running far ahead of his ticket, was defeated. In 1867 he received an appointment of Pension Agent at Des Moines, to which place he removed, residing there till his term of office expired; then returning to Eldora in 1872, was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention, and was largely instrumental in securing harmony of action between that convention and that of the Liberal Republicans. Was also a delegate to the Baltimore convention that nominated Horace Greeley for President, and was selected by his fellow delegates as the member (from Iowa ) of the committee to await on Mr. Greeley, of New York, and appraise him of the choice of the convention. Having performed this duty, he returned to Iowa and entered vigorously into the campaign that resulted so disastrously to Mr. Greeley and Democracy. Coming to the conclusion that he was not a �President maker,� he has from that day since religiously abstained from all conventions. Though a member of the Grange and an active supporter of the Anti-Monopoly movement, he only labored as a private, refusing promotion. In 1874 Judge Thompson closed his office in Eldora, and in 1875 removed to San Francisco, California, where he now resides.

George Ward, of the firm of Eastman & Ward, Eldora, is a native of Iowa county, Wisconsin, where he was born in 1854; but removed to Dane county with his parents when but six years of age.  He graduated at the Northwestern Business College in March, 1874.  Immediately after graduating he went to Des Moines and purchased a one-half interest in the Iowa Business College of that city, his partner being Mr. B. U. Worthington.  Here he remained about three years, teaching commercial arithmetic, commercial law and double entry book-keeping.

He was engaged in the reading of law at Madison and also at Des Moines; he went to Washington, D. C., in 1877, and entered the National University Law School of that city, where he remained four years, receiving from that institution the degrees of L. M. and L. B.  He was admitted to the Bar in 1878, his standing in his examination being 98 in a possible 100.

Mr. Ward has been thoroughly educated in his profession, which, together with his ability and love for the study of the law, promises a brilliant future in his profession.  While at Washington he had an extensive experience in practice in the Supreme Court of that city.  He is now associated with Governor Eastman, with whom he formed a co-partnership in February, 1882.  His wife was Miss Allena Dimmick, born in the State of New York.  They have two daughters, Marion and Ethel.

S. M. Weaver, attorney, of the firm of Weaver & Woods, is a native of Fredonia, New York, where he was born in 1844.  He read law with the firm of Warren & Morris in his native village; was admitted to the Bar in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1868.  He came to Iowa Falls and entered into the practice of his profession early in 1869.  He continued in practice till 1874, when he assumed editorial charge of the Iowa Falls Sentinel.  He resumed the practice of law in 1876.  Mr. Weaver is a successful lawyer, and has a large and growing practice.  The firm of Weaver & Woods has also established a collecting and loan office.  Mr. Woods is also the present cahier of the Commercial Bank of Iowa Falls.  Mrs. Weaver was formerly Miss Sarah Lucas, daughter of Abram Lucas, an early settler of Albion, Marshall county.  They have four children, three sons and one daughter.

James W. Wood, one of the oldest settlers and the oldest practicing attorney in the State of Iowa, is a native of Massachusetts, being born in Middlesex county, April 30, 1800.  When quite young, his father emigrated to New Hampshire, and when yet a lad, J. W. went to Lewisburg, Virginia, and began the study of law with Cyrus & Carsy, completing his studies with William Smith, afterwards a member of Congress.  On the 10th of March, 1827, he was admitted to the Bar, and immediately came west and located in Illinois, where he practiced law some years, and was contemporaneous with Lincoln, Douglas, Baker, Shields, Trumbull, Browning, Walker, and others of the most eminent men of that State.  In 1833, in company with five others, he crossed the Mississippi near where Burlington now stands, and built a cabin, but did not make a permanent settlement until 1834.  In 1837 he was appointed first city solicitor of Burlington, which office he held several years.  He was secretary of the first territorial council which convened at Iowa City 1840-41.  He was Secretary of the first Senate, in 1846-47.

From 1847 to 1854 he was Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Iowa.  In 1866 he located in Butler county; and in 1868 removed to Bremer county; and in 1881 to Steamboat Rock, Hardin county.  The Colonel has always taken an active part in the politics of the State, and has been a Democrat of the most strictest sect of their religion.

No man in the State of Iowa has led a more active life than Col. James W. Wood.  He has aided in the organization of more than half of the counties in this State, and was present at the first term of their courts, Hardin county among the number.  No man is more widely known throughout the State than Col. Wood, or "Old Timber," as he is familiarly known -- a name given him by Judge McFarland, with whom he was intimately associated.  Practicing law at a time when it was customary to "follow the circuit," or go with the judge from county to county where court was to be held,  he has almost continuously followed the custom.  He calls himself an "itinerant lawyer."  In a neighboring county, some years ago, he was asked by a young attorney to explain to the court what he meant by an "itinerant lawyer;" he had often heard of an itinerant preacher, but the books said nothing of an itinerant lawyer.  In explanation, the colonel said: "An itinerant lawyer is one who follows the circuit for the purpose of aiding young attorneys who have cheek enough to take a case, but with neither sense nor ability enough to successfully try it."  The young lawyer was satisfied.

On one occasion "Old Timber" incurred the displeasure of his honor, Judge McFarland, who fined him $50 for contempt of court.  The next day the judge, desiring to go hunting, called the colonel to preside.  The first business in the morning was the reading of the proceedings of the court of the previous day.  When read, "Old Timber" turned to the clerk, ordering him to remit the fine, which was accordingly done.  On the following day, when McFarland was on the bench, his surprise was great, indeed, when the clerk read the report, that the fine had been remitted, and he quickly asked what it meant.  The clerk quietly replied that the fine has been remitted by the court on the previous day.  The judge has nothing to say.