Robert F Dale

DALE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 00:01:30

Robert F Dale, is actively connected with the profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community, and one which has long been considered as conserving the public welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining the individual rights. His reputation as a lawyer has been won through earnest, honest labor, and his standing at the bar is a merited tribute to his ability. He is likewise prominent in political circles and is a recognized leader of public thought and opinion.
Mr Dale was born in Putnam county, Indiana, January 20, 1860. His father, William Dale, was a native of Kentucky, born October 13, 1822, and when three years of age was left an orphan. He wedded Eliza Nelson, whose birth occurred in Kentucky. May 3, 1830. Their marriage was celebrated in Indiana in 1847, and unto them were born six children: James H who is in the grocery business in Boone, William and Mary N, both deceased, J F who is also passed away, Robert F and S L the wife of C A Osgood a grocer of Boone. The father was a farmer by occupation and remained in Indian until 1873, when he became a resident of Boone, where he arrived on October 1st. He purchased land and engaged in the supervision of his farming interests until his death, which occurred January 24, 1897. His widow is still living.
Robert F Dale acquired his early education in the schools of Indiana, and later became a student in the city schools of Boone. He remained under the parental roof until 1878, when he entered the law school at Iowa City, and was graduated the following year. Returning to Boone he then continued the study of law and also engaged in clerking. He had no settled business, however, for a few years, but continued to inform himself concerning the principles of jurisprudence. On January 1, 1885, he was elected justice of the peace, and held this office until 1893, and in July of the same year he entered into partnership relations with J R Whitaker, in the practice of law, this connection being maintained until 1899, when Mr Whitaker was elected to the district bench. Mr Dale then continued business alone for a short time, when be became a partner of Charles Whitaker, a brother of the judge. The firm is one of the strongest practicing at the Boone county bar. Mr Dale now has a very large clientage, and his careful preparation of cases is supplemented by the power of argument and the forceful presentation of his points in the court room, so that he never fails to impress court or jury, and seldom fails to gain the verdict desired.
On November 4, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr Dale and Mrs Lizzie M DeFrees, who was born is Terre Haute, Indiana, June 13, 1866, the daughter of Anthony DeFrees who was of French lineage. He father was employed on the staff of the New York Tribune when Horace Greeley was its publisher. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Singer. In their family were two children: Lizzie, now Mrs Dale and Sadie, the wife of Will Bullerdick. The home of Mr and Mrs Dale has been blessed with one son, frank D who was born October 20, 1886, and is attending school.
Mr Dale give his political support to the Democracy, and has frequently served as a delegate to conventions. He was an alternate to the national convention in Chicago, in 1892, and in 1900 he was nominated for congress, but on account of the great Republican strength in his district he was defeated, although he ran eight hundred votes ahead of his ticket in Boone county, He served as a member of the school board from 1866 until 1888, yet he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Socially he is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His entire time and attention is devoted to his practice, his preparation of cases is most thorough and exhaustive. He quickly grasps the strong points of law and fact, and presents his suit so cogently and unanswerably as to leave no doubt as to the correctness of his views or of his conclusions.

1902 Boone County History Book