Obrien County IA Archives History - Books .....Chapter XVIII The O'Brien County Bar
1914
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Book Title: Past And Present Of O'Brien And Osceola Counties, Iowa
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE O'BRIEN COUNTY BAR.
Popular comment is ever ready to portray the result of a lawsuit as
enriching the lawyer. Even a lawyer has been known to speak of his successful
cases and the rich fees he earns. But while he is continuously reaping, the
lawyer never seems to accumulate wealth. I think it was Webster who said that
the lawyer's life was that of one who worked hard, lived well and died poor. D.
A. W. Perkins once wrote: "Life is a battle, with each to wage his own
individual warfare, and when one takes upon himself the burden, and advertises
to fight the battles of other people, along with his own, he enters upon an
arena of some grief, and much responsibility and without sufficient
compensation." Some of the lawyers of the county have grown rich, but not one
can trace his entire wealth to the legitimate practice of law An investment in
land has helped many, and others have won riches in other lines. The glamour and
excitement of striving to win, the hope of victory, and satisfaction of pleasing
a client and proving correctness of opinion, have spurred many an attorney and
kept him in the practice just for pure love of the game, when he has perhaps
realized that his talents would be better rewarded in another line of action.
The vocation of a lawyer is an official position, not a business. An officer of
the court, he is charged with specific duties and responsibilities. More than
any other licensed professional man, the lawyer must not only have a license to
practice, but he must qualify as an officer of the government, swearing to
faithfully perform the duties of his high office, maintain the respect due th6
courts, to encourage and maintain only just actions, use only such means as are
consistent with truth, and never reject for any consideration personal to
himself the cause of the defenseless and oppressed.
No one, considering the records of the country lawyer, as written in the
pages of O'Brien county history, can receive any encouragement to believe that
the lawyer's life leads to financial gain. Most of the lawyers were poor in the
wealth of the realm, but the industrious and honest receive the just rewards of
a good name and the kindly esteem of their neighbors. If there have been any
lawyers in the county who have not lived the righteous life, who have strayed
from the path of duty and not lived up to the high ideals of the legal
profession, may charity permit us to leave the ugly record out of these pages.
It is with some trepidation that the associate .editor of this work has
consented to write the history of the lawyers-many of them his
contemporaries-and risk the charge of unfair criticism. Those that are dead and
gone have left their record and we shall try to truthfully portray their work as
viewed from the present day. Those that are yet among us-hay e a future before
them; they may brighten or blacken the present prospect! We shall try to
restrict our discussion of merits and demerits more to the past generation than
the present, but do justice to all. The lawyers have all left their impress on
the history of the county, some for good, and some for ill. Frequently leaders
in their community, the nature of the practice necessarily connects them closely
with many of the industries and public and private business of the community.
The earliest record of a lawyer in the county is the appearance of J. W.
Bosler in 1860. As he was not exactly in the practice of his profession in this
county and had no office, and solicited no business here, further reference may
well be left to him in another portion of the work, where he receives proper
classification.
B. F. McCormack, who came in 1871, was the first settler of the county to
practice the legal profession here. The law, however, is said to be "a jealous
mistress" and Brother McCormack's varied experiences in business lines somewhat
unfitted him for successful legal practice. We hear of him as an editor,
hardware dealer, member of board of supervisors and engaged in other activities.
D. A. W. Perkins was born in 1840, admitted to the bar in 1865, settled in
Sheldon with the coming of the railroad in 1872. He was a unique character,
highly talented and educated, but never gave proof of that industry and energy
that put others to the front. In 1873 he was elected superintendent of the
schools of the county. In 1874 he was editing a newspaper in Sheldon. For a
number of years he successfully, as an adjunct to his profession and in
connection with his law practice, conducted a series of lectures through various
towns' in northwestern Iowa and southwestern Minnesota. A man of fine literary
tastes, liberal culture and pleasant social ways, he was an eloquent speaker and
gave good satisfaction to his audiences. His lectures were a rare literary treat
to the early settlers. In September, 1879., we find him editing a newspaper at
Sibley, but later he abandoned that and returned to practice of law. In the
nineties, returning to Sheldon from a few years' absence in South Dakota, he
entered politics, and in 1895 and 1896 he held the office of county attorney,
elected thereto by the people. In 1897 he bequeathed to posterity a monumental
work, giving the benefit of his intimate knowledge of the history of the county
to the public in a volume replete with historical sketches and records of the
life of the county and its inhabitants. Never industrious in the practice of his
profession, yet he tried his cases in an artful, masterful way, persuasive in
his arguments to the jury, and generally successful in his suits. He never
possessed the ability nor inclination to stir up business or "go after it," and
was content to well try the cases that came to his office. He possessed a quaint
humor and the members of the bar enjoy telling of many examples of his quick
writ. In 1879 a client at Sibley wrote him and enclosed him a promissory note
for collection, suggesting that if he could find the debtor, he wished the
attorney would "stir him up a little." To this Perkins replied:
"I can find him. I was an eye witness to his burial in our cemetery in the
spring of 1874. It would be better, perhaps, not to stir him. If you insist upon
it, however, I would prefer that you do it yourself.
"Yours,
"D. A. W. PERKINS."
Mr. Perkins is now county judge at Highmore, South Dakota.
Dewitt C. Hayes arrived at Primghar with the location of the new county seat
in 1872. He brought into the county the first good law library. His habits were
such that his business was somewhat neglected and he soon drifted away.
Warren Walker, a settler in the county in 1871, located on a homestead in
Baker township, was admitted to the bar in 1874 and during that year served his
first term as county supervisor, which office held until the end of 1876. He had
thrice enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, and served from 1861 to 1865
inclusive in Illinois regiments. He bears a fine record for bravery in his army
service, and was actively engaged in many battles, being seven times wounded.
With the starting of the new town of Sanborn, Walker moved there and at one time
operated offices at Sanborn, Sheldon and Primghar, having them connected with
telephone, and conducting a general land, abstract and law business and later
publishing a newspaper. In 1895 he removed to Des Moines, where he died. Walker
was an indefatigable worker, of great personal bravery, and an intense fighter
in his business and legal enterprises.
Orsmond M. Barrett, at one time the leading lawyer of Sheldon, was born in
1837, served in the Civil War as a Union soldier, and settled in the practice of
his profession at Sheldon in 1875. He was at various times associated with
Charley Allen, Alfred Morton, C. H. Bullis and S. A. Callvert, his name always
heading the firm. He was a representative in the nineteenth General Assembly,
and senator in the twentieth, twenty-first, twenty-second and twenty-third
General Assemblies of Iowa. In his later years he removed to California,
residing at National City, where he died March 1, 1899.
John T. Stearns, born in 1841, was admitted to practice in Franklin county,
Iowa, and came to Primghar in 1875, where he was interested in real estate
ventures in connection with his legal practice. For many years he resided at
Chamberlain, South Dakota, where he was actively engaged in law and land
business until 1895, when he returned to O'Brien county and actively engaged in
the practice of lawr. He made a specialty of land title litigation and was for
many years associated with other attorneys in the conduct of litigation in
behalf of settlers on the litigated railroad lands of the county. This
litigation was generally successful, as most of his clients had secured and
remained in possession of the lands, but the contest was long and arduous and J.
T. Stearns' ability led in no small degree to the success of that series of
legal battles. He died March 14, 1907, without an enemy in the county.
Charles Allen, familiarly known as "Charley," was born in 1835, admitted to
practice in 1868, and came to the county in 1875 and associated himself at
Sheldon with O. M. Barrett in the practice of law, the firm being-known as
Barrett & Allen. In 1879 we find him at Primghar temporarily engaged in the drug
business, but he soon returned to his profession and was a successful
practitioner in the county until 1881. Later he was a practicing attorney at
Lander, Wyoming, where he died in 1911. He was a good lawyer, absolutely honest
in money matters, and a man of varied talents, being at one time leader of the
band.
J. L. E. Peck engaged in the practice of law at Primghar in 1877 and, with
but a short interruption, during the time his daughters were receiving their
college education, he has been continuously in the practice of his profession at
the same town. He was auditor of the county from 1880 to 1883 inclusive> giving
his ability to the adjustment and settlement of the involved and important
financial question that was before the supervisors in the troublous times of
refunding the county debt in 1881. Mr. Peck is an industrious lawyer, joyously
revelling in the drudgery of digging and digesting, and preparing his lawsuits,
and there are no details too small to receive his earnest attention. He has been
successful in his business life, has always maintained a fine home at Primghar,
building and rebuilding with the growing town, taking an active part in the
progress of his little city, freely, giving of his time, talents and money to
every public enterprise and from his industry, always an important factor in
every movement that tends to the betterment of the town. He served as referee in
bankruptcy for this county, 1898 to 1903 'inclusive.
I. W. Daggett, an early resident of Primghar, engaged in the
banking-business there as early as 1875, was later a practicing attorney. During
the eighties he was engaged in the mercantile business at Sanborn and later
removed to Sioux City.
Harley Day, a homesteader in the county in 1871, county supervisor in
1873-4, served as county superintendent of schools from 1878 to 1881 inclusive.
He was admitted to the bar during the first year of his office as
superintendent. Beginning his professional life at Primghar, he was later a
resident of Sanborn, where he was a member of the firm of Stocum & Day. He was a
soldier in the Union army in the War of the Rebellion. He died at Minot, North
Dakota, February 7, 1903.
J. F. Glover, erstwhile editor at Sheldon in 1874 and 1875, was admitted to
the bar in 1878, but immediately removed to Sibley, where he now resides.
George L. McKay, a justice of the peace in Sheldon, in 1878, was then
admitted to practice and removed to Sioux county.
Cal Bradstreet came to Sanborn with the organization of the town in 1878 and
successfully practiced law there a dozen or more years, finally removing to
Sioux City, where he is still engaged in the practice.
John Connell, of Sioux county, was an early practitioner who tried many
cases in Sheldon and in this county.
S. C. Nash, a graduate of the law department of the State University of
Iowa, a good lawyer, was in the practice at Sheldon in 1878. His brother, F. H.
Nash, was also admitted to the bar in 1879 and practiced at Sheldon.
In 1879 there came to Sheldon one of the kindest, courtliest members of the
profession who has ever graced the court room of the county. Alfred Morton had
served in the One Hundred and Ninety-third New York Infantry, with rank as
major, and later received commission of brevet lieutenant-colonel. Early in the
reconstruction period after the war, General Grant appointed him a circuit judge
in Virginia. He lived at Richmond and held this office two years. For a short
time he was a member of the firm of Barrett & Morton, but later practiced alone.
For many years he represented the Illinois Central Railroad Company as its
attorney and actively attended to the legal business of the Cherokee & Dakota
Railroad Company when that road was built into the county in 1887. He died April
19, 1896, while in active practice of his profession. A man of natural
politeness, with a touch of Southern chivalry in his nature, he was beloved by
all. In all the intensity of a legal contest he was one member who always
remained considerate of the rights of the opponent and was pleasant, respectful
and just in the treatment of his competitor.
Milt H. Allen, son of Charley Allen, was admitted to the practice in 1879.
First settling at Pattersonville, now Hull, in Sioux county, for a short time,
he was at Primghar, then Sanborn and later Sheldon. A man of unusual talents,
fluent of speech, a bright legal mind, and largely a self-made man, Milt Allen
was one of the best trial lawyers ever practicing in the county. He removed from
the county several years ago and engaged in the practice of his profession in
Chicago.
Peter R. Bailey had served in the Civil War as a Union soldier. He came to
Sheldon in 1880 and was engaged for some time as a temperance lecturer,
addressing audiences generally over northwestern Iowa. In the same year he was
admitted to the bar, practicing at Sheldon until 1890, when he sold his practice
and removed to Huntsville, Alabama. Bailey was a man of strong Northern
sentiments, freely speaking them wherever he was, and he did not readily
assimilate with his new surroundings and met with many and varied difficulties
in adjusting his views to the community in which he had located. After a
turbulent experience he finally returned to the county, engaging in the practice
at Primghar. While here he wrote and published an interesting volume entitled
"Old Shady." The book dealt with the experiences of a Northern man, or, as he
put it, a "Yankee," who dwelt in a country that was not fully
"reconstructed."
Mr. Bailey had a fine ability as a speaker, and generally won verdicts from a
jury. Of strong likes and dislikes, he frequently became involved in serious
disagreements with some of those with whom he came in contact, but he had more
friends than enemies and the latter were generally willing to give much credit
to their opponent. He died, in March, 1907, at his home, in Primghar, where he
had been engaged in the practice.
George W. Schee, another old soldier, was admitted to the bar in 1880. He
had served as auditor of the county, was a soldier with a war record to be proud
of, and has for many years exercised a leading part in the business life,
politics and prosperity of the county. He served as a member of the state
Legislature in the twentieth, twenty-first, twenty-third and thirty-fourth
General Assemblies of Iowa. His ability as a tactician and his thorough
understanding of parliamentary law gave him a prominent position in the House,
and had he returned to the twenty-second General Assembly there is little doubt
but that he would have been elected speaker of the House. As a lawyer, he was
not attracted to the profession, having a distaste for the details and minutia
of the legal conduct of a case, but as a general, to plan out a campaign of
legal action, he had ability of a high order.
James B. Dunn, who had been admitted to the bar in Adair county, Iowa,
settled in Primghar in 1880, but soon removed to Sutherland when that town was
organized. Elected to the office of county attorney in 1886. he again removed to
Primghar, remaining there till January 1, 1893, when his term of office expired.
Practicing at Sheldon for awhile, he later removed to Bedford, Taylor county,
Iowa, serving as county attorney of that county from 1903 to 1907. He now
resides at Callaway, Nebraska, but is not actively engaged in practice.
George F. Colcord, an early settler, formerly in the drug business at
Sheldon, was admitted to the bar in 1881 and removed soon afterward to
Sutherland, where he remained in the practice of law until his death, in 1902.
He also served as postmaster in Sutherland. He had an honorable record for
service in the Civil War. He was strongly Democratic in his politics and
achieved considerable success in the practice of his profession.
J. A. Stocum, who from the earliest times in the history of the county had
been largely interested in real estate here, was for many years an instructor in
the commercial college of Bryant & Stratton in Chicago. In 1881 he removed to
Sanborn and was engaged in the practice there till his death, in 1891.
Charles H. Bullis, brother-in-law of O. M. Barrett, formed a partnership
with the latter in Sheldon in 1881. Bullis was a graduate of Yale, heading his
class in mathematics, and for seven years he held a chair of mathematics in
Columbia College in New York City. For a period he was employed as clerk in the
treasury department at Washington. He was a close student, a hard worker, of
brilliant attainments and an excellent lawyer. He died suddenly in 1885.
Charles McKenzie, a talented lawyer, was in the eighties for a short time
engaged in the practice in Sheldon. Later he practiced in Des Moines, where he
died several years ago.
Frank M. Shonkwiler, arriving here in 1882, practiced his profession two or
three years at Primghar and Sanborn. He was dramatic and talented, but had very
little business ability.
Charles E. Foote, admitted to the bar in Winneshiek county, practiced law at
Sanborn for two or three years in the early eighties. Prior to that time he had
been principal of the schools at Sanborn. In 1883, wisely concluding it better
to get into a business that had some money in it, he forsook the law and entered
the railroad service. He has continued in the employ of the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul Railway to this day, having held position as passenger train conductor
for many years.
William D. Boies, admitted to the bar in 1880, settled in Sanborn soon
afterward, forming a partnership with Cal Bradstreet. In 1890 he removed to
Sheldon, where, for a time, he was associated with G. W. Roth. In 1912 he was
appointed by Governor Carroll to the vacancy in the district judgeship of the
fourth judicial district caused by election of Judge Gaynor to the supreme
bench. Judge Boies is now filling office under that appointment. He is a nephew
of ex-Governor Horace Boies, and by industry, studiousness, honesty and ability,
born of hard work, he has risen to the top of his profession. For many years
while he was in the practice he was recognized as the leader of the bar in
northwestern Iowa and his services were required at practically every term of
court in the four northwestern counties. Observers of his earlier life presaged
his success when they found him, day after day, drilling along in the hot stuffy
office, reading and rereading the Iowa reports and every law book he could get
hold of, in the limited library at his disposal while in Sanborn.
Scott M. Ladd engaged in the practice of his profession in Sheldon in 1883.
Always a good lawyer, he never acquired the habit of attracting or at least of
getting business, and his practice was of the limited sort. He naturally,
however, possessed the fine legal mind and qualification which was improved by
close attention to his work, jealously guarding himself against the pitfalls
that have tripped so many young attorneys who turned aside to earn money outside
of the profession. In 1886 he was elected district judge and ably filled that
office until the end of 1896. In the fall of that year he was elected judge of
the supreme court and has since filled that office with honor to himself and
satisfaction to the voters. Three times has he filled the office of chief
justice and three times elected as supreme judge, rounding out over a quarter of
a century of honored service. And this renewed expression of the confidence of
the people expressed at the polls, of his ability as a judge and character as a
man is a higher testimonial of his worth than could otherwise be here expressed.
In 1882 O. D. Hamstreet commenced the practice of law in Paullina and, as
history records it, spent three hundred dollars in building him a law office.
After two years he sold his office and practice to H. H. Crow and entered the
newspaper field. Mr. Crow had entered the practice at Sutherland in 1883. He was
a graduate of the State University of Iowa and one of the most studious and
conscientious lawyers who ever practiced in the county. Naturally slow and
plodding in his methods, he was sure of what he did do, and when he entered
court for trial of a case you might well rest assured that he had a well worked
out theory of the case, a thoroughly digested brief of the law and facts, and
that there was not a point in his case that had not received careful attention.
He gave his case an intensity of mental attention that in the end undermined his
health. At various times he had assistants in his office, who helped in the
handling of the business. Among these we may mention ____ Hilliard, H. E. Dean,
A. M. Hunter and L. D. Hobson. These were all lawyers of some ability and were
here for but short periods each, although Mr. Hobson was later in the practice
alone here for some years.
W. J. Lorshbough, admitted to the practice in 1886, remained in Primghar for
but a short time, when he went to Hartley and engaged in the banking business
and is now in the latter business at Fargo, North Dakota.
H. H. McLaury, who was a student in the law office of Barrett & Bullis at
Sheldon in the early eighties, returned to Sheldon in 1889 and practiced law
there for a short time. Later he practiced at Sioux City.
L. J. Birdseye was in the practice at Sheldon in 1889, forming a partnership
with Judge Morton for a short time. He is now engaged in his profession at
Spokane, Washington.
H. C. Vail and Ralph Hobart entered practice at Primghar about 1889, but
soon moved west. Hobart went to Dell Rapids, South Dakota, where he was later
elected county judge. Vail is engaged in practice, and has earned considerable
reputation as a lawyer, at Albion, Nebraska.
P. H. Hackett and W. E. Brady were lawyers at Sanborn in 1889, the latter
also practicing at Sheldon for a time.
J. A. Wilcox removed to Sanborn from Milford, Iowa, in 1889, entering into
partnership with Milt H. Allen. Later he practiced alone, when Allen went to
Sheldon. In 1911 he removed to Redmond, Oregon, where he has a prosperous practice.
J. W. Walter began his legal career at Hartley in 1886, and had the honor in
1888 of defeating Frank A. Turner for clerk of courts, and held the office four
years. He did not afterwards actively engage in the practice of law, giving his
attention to private business at Hartley. Later he was in banking business at
Groton, North Dakota, and is now living in Los Angeles, California.
T. F. Ward came to Primghar with the railroad in 1887. He was a bright
lawyer, of pleasant, social disposition, rather inclined to wear good clothes,
and made money in his chosen profession. He took an active 'part in politics,
was a leading Democrat, and prominent in the business life of the community.
Later he was in banking business at LeMars and is now holding the office of
county judge at Geddes, South Dakota.
O. H. Montzheimer arrived in Primghar in the spring of 1888 and has been in
the practice of his profession there since. He is employed as local attorney by
each of the five railroad companies transacting business in the county and
enjoys a lucrative practice.
F. A. Ainsworth, a brilliant young lawyer, won many friends at Sheldon in
1890. He was there but a short time, when he was taken ill and died.
C. A. Babcock, who had been in the practice at Humboldt, Iowa, settled at
Sanborn in 1891, and has been continuously in the practice since. In 1896 he was
elected county attorney. He held the office two years, but refused to accept
again unless the salary was raised. In 1913 he removed to Sheldon. Babcock is a
keen student, lover of a good story, scorns to earn money outside his profession
and enjoys a good practice.
W. W. Artherholt and Clarence Ingham, graduates of the law department of the
State University, succeeded T. F. Ward in the practice at Primghar in 1892.
Later they entered into partnership with Mr. Peck, the firm becoming Peck,
Artherholt & Ingham. Ingham later removed to Bridgeport, Washington, and is now
in business in Los Angeles, residing at Pomona, California. Mr. Artherholt is
postmaster at Primghar, has extensive farming interests and is still in
partnership with Mr. Peck.
J. T. Conn entered, the office of Warren Walker, having charge of the
Primghar business in 1889. In 1892 to 1894, inclusive, he held the office of
county auditor and that was followed by two years as county attorney. Following
that he re-engaged in the practice of law at Hartley.
S. A. Calvert, who was circuit judge in the fifth judicial district, living
at Adel, in Dallas county, and holding office from 1878 until he was legislated
out of office in 1886, soon afterwards removed to Sheldon. Prior to his location
in the county he held a term of court here in exchange with one of the judges of
the district. His years of service on the bench had somewhat unfitted him for
the active contest for business and while he had a nice practice at Sheldon he
gave it up in 1891 and removed to North Yakima, Washington.
Joe Morton, son of Judge Alfred Morton, entered practice with his father in
1894. He was county attorney in 1903-05. Naturally of a lively social
disposition and pleasant ways, the study of law did not prove attractive to him
and he soon entered politics, securing appointment as postmaster at Sheldon.
Later he resigned that to take a position at Sioux City as secretary of the
Interstate Fair, which office he now holds.
G. W. Roth, a graduate of Ann Arbor, formed a partnership at Sheldon with W.
D. Boies in 1891. He was not active in trial work, giving his attention to
office business and care of his private real estate interests. He removed to
Worthington, Minnesota.
David Algyer, a settler in the county in 1872, who served as superintendent
of schools from 1882 to 1888, inclusive, was born April -5, 1849. He served in
the Union army in the Civil War, and in 1905 proved his ability as a student by
perfecting a legal education and was admitted to the bar, at the age of
forty-seven years. About the same time he mastered the German language and
removed to Paullina, where he has since practiced law. He has a fine practice
and is one lawyer who has made considerable money strictly in the practice of
his profession. From 1890 to 1895 he held the office of county coroner.
Edwin T. Langley, who valiantly served his country in an Iowa regiment
during the Civil War, came to Sanborn from Huron, South Dakota, in 1895. He had
attained some fame as a speaker and was capable of making a polished and
pleasing address as a lecturer. He was in partnership for a time with his son
and also with A. J. Walsmith, but later removed to Santa Ana, California.
A. J. Walsmith, a graduate of the State University, entered practice at
Sanborn in 1895 and later removed to Sheldon. He was county attorney from 1899
to 1902 inclusive. He is now residing at Oskaloosa, Iowa, and has abandoned the
law business.
Charles F. McCormack, at one time in the practice at Peterson and at
Sutherland in 1897, gave up his profession and tills the soil in Waterman township.
G. A. Gibson came to Sheldon in 1896. He had been admitted to the bar two
years previous thereto. He is still in the practice at Sheldon.
G. T. Wellman, previously employed in a governmental position at Washington,
D. C, removed to Sheldon in 1895. He is a close student and one of the best-read
lawyers in the county, having what few lawyers possess-a thorough knowledge of
the common law practice. He takes the business that comes to his office and
gives his clients the benefit of an expert knowledge of the principles of the
law. He served as referee in bankruptcy 1903 to 1912.
W. P. Briggs came to Hartley from Sioux City in 1892, having been admitted
to practice in 1888. Pie was a good lawyer, a thorough office man and had the
best office system of keeping track of his work of any lawyer in the county. Pie
was generally successful and removed to Idaho in 1912 on account of failing health.
Earl W. Brown, a Sheldon boy, raised in the county, was admitted to practice
and a partner of Milt Allen in 1894. Eventually he entered the banking business.
Louis Vogt, admitted to practice in 1895, remained at Sanborn for a short
time and later removed to George, in Lyon county, Iowa, and there entered the
practice of his profession.
John McCandless came to Sheldon in 1892. He was admitted to practice in
1880, but has not given active attention to his profession in this county. He
has been connected with a loan and trust company and other duties have hindered
him in the pursuit of law. He really has too much money to be classed as a
lawyer; is a competent business man, pleasant and honorable in his dealings and
has won for himself a high esteem and opinion among the people of the county.
I. N. McIntire, who arrived in Sheldon in 1890, formed a partnership with J.
B. Dunn, but conducted his business alone when Mr. Dunn removed from the county.
He has a fine personality, a pleasant way and few, if any, enemies. He has
travelled a little from the strict pathway of the law, engaged in real estate
enterprises, but still possesses a nice practice.
F. B. Robinson came to Sheldon in 1889, succeeding P. R. Bailey. He later
removed to Sioux City, where he made money in the practice of his profession,
and later moved west. He was a graduate of the law department of the State
University.
W. H. Weber, admitted to practice in 1900, remained at Sheldon for about ten
years. He was justice of the peace and had a moderate practice, but did not try
many contested cases.
John T. Cullen, at one time partner of Milt Allen in the Sheldon office.
arrived in the county in 1895.
W. H. Downing, mayor of Primghar, has been in the practice since his
graduation from the State University in 1902.
E. M. Sayles practiced his profession in Primghar for nine years, arriving
here in 1903. He had previously resided at Akron, Iowa. He is now in the
practice at Faith, South Dakota.
Roscoe J. Locke was admitted to the bar in 1902, having previously resided
in the county, engaged in the business of "teaching the young idea how to
shoot." He was first located at Sutherland and was appointed county attorney
when Joe Morton resigned early in 1906. He has been repeatedly elected since and
still holds the office. He is an honest, conscientious lawyer, a hard student
and his habits of industry mark him as one who will attain prominence in his
profession.
J. B. Johannsen, Jr., who practiced in the county in 1905, was here for but
a short time. He resided at Hartley.
C. C. Coyle, in 1909, and A. M. Kent, in 1910, were other lawyers practicing
for a short time at Hartley.
Sidney C. Kerberg, admitted to the bar in 1909, established himself in the
practice of law at Sanborn, where he had grown to manhood. In 1913 he removed to
Audubon, Iowa, where he is now engaged in practice.
James B. Linsday and Spencer A. Phelps, of the firm of Linsday & Phelps, of
Sheldon, have been in the county since 1912, succeeding to the business of W. P.
Briggs. They are bright young men, possessed of good legal minds, and are bound
to succeed. Mr. Linsday is city attorney and Mr. Phelps referee in bankruptcy,
having in charge the bankruptcy business of some six northwestern Iowa counties.
T. E. Diamond, who has practiced at Sheldon since 1905, is a good lawyer, a
hard fighter and has a lucrative practice. He is prominent in the councils of
the Democratic party.
W. J. E. Thatcher, who was admitted to the bar in 1913, is at present clerk
of court, but expects to enter practice at end of his present term.
Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
PAST AND PRESENT OF
O'Brien and Osceola Counties, Iowa
BY
HON. J. L. E. PECK and HON. O. H. MONTZHEIMER
For O'Brien County
AND
HON. WILLIAM J. MILLER
For Osceola County
VOL. I
ILLUSTRATED
1914
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana
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