Noble, Reuben 1821 - 1896

NOBLE, DAY

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 1/9/2015 at 11:08:07

Elgin Echo, Elgin, Iowa, Thur., 13 Aug. 1896.

Hon. Reuben Noble died Saturday, August 8, at McGregor, Iowa, at 1:15. He had been indisposed for the past week, but was out on the street talking with friends, and seemed to be better. He ate some dinner, and was sitting in a chair conversing with his wife when the end suddenly came. It was simply a case of the machinery of life giving out, and death followed. Judge Noble was one of the best known lawyers of Iowa. He was born in Adams county, Miss., April 14, 1821, and came to Clayton county in 184_, settling in what is now Garnavillo, then called Jacksonville. He soon took a front rank in his profession, and was a member of the Iowa legislature of '54 and '55, being speaker of the house. He was a candidate for congress in 18__, his successful competitor being Senator Allison. He served a term as district judge and was re-elected but resigned before his term expired. He was one of the most influential and best known democrats of the state and always took a deep interest in the success of his party. He was styled one of the "War Horses" of democracy and his opinions and assistance were much sought after.

He had a wide circle of acquaintances, and was well known to and by everybody in this part of Iowa. He was a man with a great fund of information, and was the most agreeable of companions. For many years he was associated in the law with Congressman Updegraff, of this district. It is a decided loss to the state of Iowa when such strong men as Judge Noble are taken away, for he certainly has been one of the builders of the state.

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Added by Joy Moore on 8/24/2017:

source: Iowa Plain Dealer August 11, 1896, FP, C4

Hon. Reuben Noble, of McGregor, died Saturday, Aug. 8, 1896, aged 75 years, 3 month and 24 days. He had been a resident of Clayton county 53 years. He had been district judge and member of the legislature as a republican, was speaker of the house in 1854 and ’55 at the time the prohibitory liquor law was changed to get the German vote in wine and beer. As a railroad attorney he was democrat or republican as the railroad interests required, but always for the railroads.

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Added by Joy Moore on 2/15/2021:

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 13, 1896 P 1 C 4

DEATH OF HON. REUBEN NOBLE.
Intelligence came Monday that ex-Judge Reuben Neble {sic} had died on the previous Saturday afternoon.

Although he had reached more than a “good old age,” health, mental vigor and robustness were so much a part of the Judge that the idea of possible de­parture never was associated with his name. The intelligence was therefore a surprise, and the natural remark came “What!—is it possible?” The dispatch said while he had been indis­posed for a few days he was able to be out, and there was no reason for any anxiety. He was sitting, after dinner, talking with his wife, when he was sud­denly smitten, and death came instan­taneously.

He was born in Mississippi in 1821, and came to Clayton county in 1843, consequently he had been a resident of Iowa 53 years. In this time he has continuously occupied a prominent posi­tion before the public eye. He was a member of the 9th General Assembly, and, if we recollect right, was chosen speaker. As an attorney he took a foremost rank, and for a quarter cen­tury traveled the circuit and was at­tendant upon nearly every session of the Court in the district. In early days he participated as counsel in most of the important cases. Up to the War of the Rebellion he acted with the Republican party, but, being unable to agree with all the war measures, he allied himself with the Democratic party, with which he has since acted. In 1864 he ran for Congress in opposition to Mr. Allison, being defeated of course. Several years later he was asked to run for the office of District Judge against Judge McGlathery, whose course on the bench had angered many people. Although it was a strong Republican district he was triumphantly elected, and again re-elected for a term. Before his sec­ond term was filled out he resigned, and ever since has occupied no office.

For many years he was the attorney in this part of Iowa for the C., M. & St. Paul Railway; and his party friends frequently honored him with confidence in their councils. He has always been esteemed most highly by all as a man of integrity, wide reading, with a philo­sophic turn of mind; and a most genial companion in an intellectual way. One of the strongest men in N. E. Iowa has gone to his last home.

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Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 27, 1896 P 3 C 1, 2

The survivors of the late Judge Ruben Noble, are his wife, whom he married in June 1844, and five of their six children viz:— Elizabeth wife of John Day of Minneapolis; Henry, residing at Aberdeen, S. Dak.; Reuben, Register of the U. S. Land Office at Devils Lake, N. Dak., Virgil B., lawyer and banker at Bottineau, N. Dak.; and Cordelia wife of Richard V. Day of Rhinelander, Wis.