Ben Van Steenburg

VAN STEENBERG

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 4/17/2008 at 00:02:32

PIONEER LAW MAKERS, 1890

BEN VAN STEENBURG – Born in Herkimer county, New York, August 1, 1839, and came to Iowa in 1858, locating in Jackson county. Among the public offices which he has held are, County recorder of Jackson county, first clerk in the Iowa House of Representatives of the 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th General Assemblies, and deputy marshal of United States Census, 1870, and 1880. To all these positions he was elected by the Republican party. He served as a private in company A, 24th Iowa volunteer infantry, during the rebellion, and participated in several battles, among which were Port Gibson, Raymond and Champion Hills, Mississippi. In the last named battle he lost his right arm, and also suffered the loss of the use of his left fore-arm. Mr. Van Steenburg is known as one of the most efficient clerks who has ever presided at a desk in either branch of the Iowa legislature. He has been one of the Secretaries of the Pioneer Law-Makers’ Association since its organization.