ACHESON, George (1821-1881) - 1890 Bio

ACHESON, HEMPHILL, CLARKE, GARRETSON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/25/2007 at 20:42:36

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 247-249

George ACHESON, deceased, was born in Washington County, Pa., on the 16th of June, 1821, and died Sunday evening, April 24, 1881, in Fairfield, Jefferson County, being at the time of his death in the sixtieth year of his age. He was the sixth child in a family consisting of five brothers and four sisters, and his parents were David and Catherine ACHESON. Having completed his education at Washington College, Washington Pa., he read law with his brother, A. W. ACHESON, of that city. In the spring of 1843, accompanied by C. W. SLAGLE, since deceased, he started westward in search of a location. They crossed the Mississippi River on the 6th of April, thirty-eight years ago, and soon afterward made choice of Fairfield as a favorable opening, and began the practice of law, which they continued until the death of Mr. ACHESON, the firm being at that time the oldest law firm in Iowa.

On the 23d of December, 1847, Mr. ACHESON was united in marriage with Miss Mary HEMPHILL, daughter of Adley HEMPHILL, Esq., one of the early settlers of Jefferson County. As the result of this happy marriage, six children were born but two died prior to the death of the father. The two surviving sons are John and George. The eldest daughter, Ellen, is the wife of C. A. CLARKE, a lieutenant of the United States Navy, and the younger, Mary, is the wife of D. F. GARRETSON, of Kansas City. With a kind husband and father, an affectionate and careful wife and mother, no happier home was ever known. Mrs. ACHESON's death occurred April 2, 1880.

In early life, Mr. ACHESON was a Democrat, and as such was elected the second county prosecutor in 1846. When Fairfield was incorporated in 1847, he was elected the first City Recorder, and afterward, in 1862, was elected Mayor, holding the office two terms. He was for many years a Trustee of the asylum for the insane at Mt. Pleasant, and was also one of the holders of the deed for Fairfield's first cemetery, which was afterward assigned to the city. On the firing upon of Ft. Sumter, his patriotism was aroused, and he became an active advocate of the war for the Union. For a time he was known as a war Democrat, but later identified himself with the party of the administration. His earnestness and enthusiasm encouraged enlistments, cheered many a fainting spirit, and exercised a vast influence for good. Ever with the cause of humanity, right and justice, Mr. ACHESON was positive in his convictions, and earnest in his advocacy of whatever he believed to be for the bettering of the human family. Of George ACHESON's life, his friends cherish many pleasant memories. During all his busy years, he never swerved from the path of justice or of duty. Honest and upright, his bright career as an attorney, and as a business man, was never marred by an unworthy deed. He was devoted to his profession, and although many places of profit and trust were within his reach in other directions, he never availed himself of circumstances to win political preferment.

In all matters of public interest, and for the advantage of Fairfield, Mr. ACHESON was always at the front. With others of her citizens he labored hard for her first railroad, and perhaps his connection with the Southwestern was more beneficial to Jefferson County than that of any other man. He was one of the founders of the Jefferson County Coal Company, and the First National Bank, and a warm friend of the Parsons College enterprise. He was active in support of the public library, and was one of the owners of the handsome brick block on the north side of the square.

Mr. ACHESON was the first Mason ever initiated in Jefferson County, and was one of the charter members of Clinton Lodge, No. 15 A. F. & A. M. of Fairfield. He held many official positions in that order, and obtained high standing in it. A meeting of the bar of Fairfield was held at the office of McCoid & West, on Monday afternoon, April 25, to take the customary action on the death of a fellow practitioner. James F. Wilson was made Chairman, I. D. Jones, Secretary, and a committee of five, consisting of James F. Wilson, W. B. Culbertson, J. J. Cummings, M. A. McCoid, and C. D. Leggett, was appointed to draft a set of resolutions and reported as follows:

~Resolved~, That the members of the bar of Fairfield have with profound regret learned of the death of George ACHESON, for many years a member of our bar, an able and courteous practitioner.

~Resolved~, That while we remember Mr. ACHESON as a most worthy member of our profession, we also bear testimony to his worth as a member of this community, ever ready with deeds for the promotion of its best interests, and always alive to propose means for the advancement of its prosperity.

~Resolved~, That James F. Wilson be requested to present these resolutions to the District and Circuit Courts for the county at the next terms thereof, and request that they be entered upon the records, respectively.

~Resolved~, That a copy of these resolutions be communicated to the family of Mr. ACHESON, with the heartfelt condolence of the bar, and that, as a further mark of respect, we will attend the funeral of our deceased brother in a body.

Respectfully submitted,
James F. Wilson,
W. B. Culbertson,
M. A. McCoid,
J. J. Cummings,
Charles D. Leggett.

Resolutions of greater length, and teeming with deep fraternal regard were adopted by the members of the Clinton Lodge, of which Mr. ACHESON had for so many years been the presiding officer, and one of the most active members.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.