NOBLE, Hon. Christian E. - 1890 Bio (1825-1905)

NOBLE, CRANE, REES, MOORE, SMEATON, OSWALD, PAINE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/20/2007 at 19:12:20

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 273-274

Hon. Christian E. NOBLE, attorney and Justice of the Peace, has been a resident of Fairfield since October 15, 1846. He was born in Blair County, Pa. on a farm, which was owned by his paternal grandfather prior to the War of the Revolution, and which was also the birthplace of his father. That farm is the present site of the city of Altoona. The birth of Mr. NOBLE occurred on the 20th of January, 1825, his parents being John and Elizabeth (CRANE) NOBLE.

Our subject received a common-school education, and learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed after his emigration to Fairfield in 1846. He was married in this city of the 6th of December, 1849, to Miss Zilphia K. REES, a daughter of Joel S. REES. The lady was born near Newark, Ohio, and came to Iowa in the spring of 1847. Eight children blessed their union, three died in infancy and five grew to mature years, three sons and two daughters, as follows: Leroy C., the eldest, who was married three times, his present wife having been Miss Frances J. MOORE, is a druggist of Springfield, Mo.; Laura May is the wife of John SMEATON, and resides in Arkansas; Artemus Oliver is living in Philadelphia; U. S. Grant is single, and makes his home near Walla Walla,Wash.; and Lillie Grace is the wife of Albert OSWALD, of What Cheer, Iowa. The wife and mother died March 9, 1886. On the 6th of July, 1890, Mr. NOBLE was united in marriage with Miss Lena PAINE, a native of Massachusetts.

Mr. NOBLE was a Whig in early life, and later became a supporter of the Republican party. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in the fall of 1856, and being re-elected, served until 1862. In 1856, he was also elected a member of the Lower House of the Iowa Legislature, and proved an able representative of the people. For several years he carried on the undertaking business in Fairfield, and also engaged in the manufacture of sash for a time, but desiring to give his attention to professional work, he studied law, and was admitted to the bar in the district court of Oskaloosa, on the 4th of March, 1881, entering upon the practice of his profession in Fairfield. In the fall of 1886, Mr. NOBLE was once more elected Justice of the Peace, and again re-elected in the fall of 1888, a fact which establishes beyond a doubt his trustworthiness and ability. He is an Odd Fellow of forty-three years standing, and holds membership in Jefferson Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., being the second oldest surviving member of that organization, with which he became connected in the spring of 1847. In his religious views Mr. NOBLE inclines toward the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which numbers among its members several of his brothers, his brother G. W. being an ordained minister of that denomination. Mr. NOBLE helped to organize the Old Settlers' Association, drew the first draft for a constitution for that body, and was elected a Vice-President of the society. He also helped to form the first library association in Fairfield, and was its first Secretary. He has been an active and useful member of the community in which he has resided, and is esteemed as a gentleman of sterling worth. In the office of a justice he is known at his best -- prompt, experienced, fair in his rulings, and correct in his business methods.

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

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