MOLYNEUX, A. R. - 1914

MOLYNEUX, VAN HORN, STYLES

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/5/2009 at 03:20:52

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

A. R. MOLYNEUX.

A. R. Molyneux, of Cherokee, is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Cherokee county and since 1881 has been an active representative of the bar. He has the honor of having served as the first county attorney and in all of his professional career he has conformed to a high standard of professional ethics, while at the same time his devotion to his clients interests has become proverbial. His birthplace was a farm in Sullivan county, Pennsylvania, and his natal day April 29, 1856. His parents were Henry and Ellen Molyneux. The mother was born in Lancaster, England, while the father was a native of Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of our subject, William Molyneux, came from England to the United States and planted the family tree in American soil. Henry Molyneux was born in the year 1812 and became a farmer by occupation. He continued his residence in Pennsylvania until 1867, when he removed westward to Cherokee county and secured a homestead claim in Pilot township, where he carried on general farming for almost a quarter of a century, or until his death in 1891. He was one of the first to indorse the principles of the republican party upon its organization and voted for its candidates from the time when John C. Fremont became its first standard bearer. His wife was killed in the Pomeroy cyclone.

A publicschool education fitted A. R. Molyneux for entrance to college and his more advanced educational work was done in Cedar Falls College, where he pursued a literary course. He next entered the Iowa City Law School, from which he was graduated in June, 1881, and in August of the same year he entered upon active practice in Cherokee, where he has since successfully followed his profession. In the third of a century which has since elapsed his progress has been continuous, for he has been a close student of his profession, his knowledge has constantly broadened and he has become widely recognized as a most clear and logical reasoner, seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of legal principles. He was the first county attorney, being chosen for that position after the state legislature in 1886 passed a law doing away with district attorneys and providing that each county should have its chosen legal representative. He took the office in 1887 and served until 1891. He today has a large private practice and his devotion to his clients interests is noteworthy, yet he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law.

Mr. Molyneux was married, in November, 1881, to Miss Emma E. Van Horn, a daughter of John H. and Sarah Van Horn, who same to this county from Canada in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Molyneux now have three living children: Maud is the wife of N. L. Styles, of Cherokee, the assistant cashier of the State Bank, and they have one daughter, Margaret. Lora L., is a teacher of physical training and Arthur resides at home.

Mr. Molyneux is a prominent representative of Masonry. He joined the order in 1886, becoming a member of Speculative Lodge, No. 307, F. & A. M. He has since attained high rank in Masonry and has filled many offices, serving as master of the lodge, as high priest of the chapter, as eminent commander of the local commandery and as grand commander of the state. He belongs to the T. S. Parvin Consistory and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Sioux City, Iowa. He is also a member of the Eastern Star. He is an honorary member of the Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He has wisely and well used the talents with which nature has endowed him for the benefit of his fellowmen and for his own legitimate advancement in professional lines and his close conformity to the highest standards of manhood and citizenship has given him place among the prominent and representative men of his adopted county.