Dawson, Edward A.

WEHRMACHER, FEARNS, CALL, CARR DAWSON, GIBSON, WARE, KEYES

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/3/2010 at 19:27:22

Edward A. Dawson, a successful attorney and esteemed citizen of Waverly, has been long numbered among the foremost members of the bar in Bremer county and is now practicing his profession in association with William H. Wehrmacher. His birth occurred at Newton Falls, Trumbull county, Ohio, his parents being Edward and Catherine (Fearns) Dawson, who were natives of England and Ireland, respectively. Their marriage was celebrated at Newton Falls, Ohio, where they resided for about ten years. Edward Dawson, Sr., who had emigrated to the United States in an early day, devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. Leaving Ohio, he took up his abode in Delaware county, Iowa, but at the end of about six months removed to Albion township, Butler county, this state, where he purchased land from the government and carried on farming until the time of his retirement at the age of about seventy years. His remaining days were spent in well earned rest at Cedar Falls. His wife was called to her final rest about 1891. Mr. Dawson held various local offices in the early days and was widely recognized as a substantial and respected citizen of his community.

Edward A. Dawson, the second in order of birth in a family of eight children, attended a district school in Butler county for two and a half years, subsequently continued his education in the Upper Iowa University at Fayette and also spent a year at the Bayless Business College of Dubuque. When about twenty-one years of age he was admitted to the bar and began the general practice of law as a member of the firm of Call, Carr & Dawson of Waverly. Soon afterward, however, Mr. Call died and the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Dawson practiced alone for a short time and then became an associate of Dwight T. Gibson, with whom he had read law, following his profession as the junior member of the firm of Gibson & Dawson, which relationship was terminated, owing to the failing health of Mr. Gibson, after about thirty years of association. He again practiced independently for a brief period and then formed a partnership with William H. Wehrmacher, with whom he has since remained under the firm style of Dawson & Wehrmacher. Their practice is extensive and of an important character. Mr. Dawson's practical knowledge and careful application of the law, coupled with good business judgment, and his kindly treatment of all persons, have combined to give him a creditable standing among the members of his profession and have at all times assured him a good, clean and abundant clientage. He owns farm lands in Bremer county, is a director in the sugar factory and is more or less connected with various other enterprises, including the First National Bank and the Fortner Hotel.

On the 8th of May, 1889, Mr. Dawson was united in marriage to Miss Miriam E. Ware, a native of Waverly, Iowa, and a daughter of Henry L. and Eudora (Downing) Ware, the former born in Vermont and the latter in Iowa. Henry L. Ware, who was a printer in young manhood, came to Waverly at an early day and here embarked in the mercantile business. Subsequently he removed to Minneapolis and is now engaged in the general mercantile and real-estate business there. Mrs. Dawson is an only child. By her marriage she has become the mother of a daughter, Dorothy W., a graduate of the Waverly high school and now a student in the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

In his political views Mr. Dawson is a staunch republican and for a short time he served as county attorney by appointment. He has likewise been a member of the board of railroad commissioners for eleven years. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to the blue lodge, the chapter, the council and the commandery. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and is a valued member of the Waverly Industrial Association. His genuine worth and his devotion to all that is right, just and elevating, make him a man whom to know is to respect and honor. Kindliness and appreciation for the good traits of others have constituted salient features in his career and his life illustrates the fact of the Emersonian philosphy that to have friends you must be one.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914