QUARTON, WILLIAM BARTON

QUARTON, GILL, REASER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 10/6/2003 at 15:56:01

Biography reproduced from page 460 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

William Barlow Quarton, at one time judge of the district court of Iowa, and since the fall of 1882 a member of the Algona bar, has in the years of his practice shown the possession of those qualities which are indispensable in the attainment of success in the legal profession. He has a clear, rapid, logical mind, plus business sense, keen insight and the power of clear and logical reasoning. With such a foundation he has ever labored to maintain high professional standards in his private practice and the recognition of his ability has come to him in a large and distinctively representative clientage.

Judge Quarton was born on a farm near Carlinville, Illinois, August 24, 1858. His father, William B. Quarton, was a native of Yorkshire, England, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Gill. They were about ten years of age when they came to America, the respective families setting in Scott and Morgan counties, Illinois. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William B. Quarton, Sr., removed to Macoupin county, Illinois, where they resided until 1867, when they became residents of Mahaska county, Iowa. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser throughout his entire life and made a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle which, between the years 1870 and 1890, he exhibited at various stock shows and fairs throughout southern Iowa, winning many premiums. He died in 1904 and his wife passed away September 28, 1908.

Judge Quarton was a lad of nine years when his parents removed from Illinois to Mahaska county, Iowa, where he continued his education as a public-school pupil. Later he entered Oskaloosa College and eventually became a student in the University of Iowa. He was graduated from the former with a degree of A. B. in the class of 1880 and from the University in 1882 with the LL. B. degree. His preparation for the bar was thorough for he had determined to make the practice of law his life work and was resolved to win success in that calling. Immediately after his graduation he was admitted to practice and in the fall of that same year came to Algona, where he has since remained. He was always engaged in private practice save for the periods when upon the bench. In August, 1894, he was appointed judge of the fourteenth judicial district of Iowa to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of the Hon. George H. Carr. Later in the same year he was nominated and elected to the same position and was three times chosen for judicial honors, serving until January, 1907. His decisions indicate strong mentality, careful analyzation, a thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judgment. The judge on the bench fails more frequently perhaps from a deficiency in that broad-mindedness which not only comprehends the details of a situation quickly but insures a complete self-control under even the most exasperating conditions than from any other cause; and the judge who makes a success in the discharge of his multitudinous duties is a man of well rounded character, finely balanced mind and of strong intellectual attainment. That Judge Quarton is regarded as such a jurist is a universally accepted fact. Since his retirement from the bench he has continued in the private practice of law. His clientage is extensive and of an important nature. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and profound care with which he prepares his cases and his logical grasp of facts and principles of the law applicable thereto has been another potent element in his success.

On the 15th of September, 1886, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Judge Quarton was married to Miss Ella B. Reaser, a daughter of David and Charlotte Reaser, of Oskaloosa, Iowa. Her father was a boot and shoe merchant and became a pioneer resident of Oskaloosa, arriving there about 1850. He died in that city in 1881 but the mother is still living. Mrs. Quarton was there reared. She has become well known in different social connections and is a prominent member of the P. E. O., of which she has served as president, while of the Algona chapter she was one of the organizers. She is also a member of the Library Aid Society. Mr. and Mrs. Quarton are the parents of five children. Harold B., born February 8, 1888, is engaged in the government consular service and is deputy consul-general at Berlin, Germany. Sumner D., born November 28, 1889, is instructor of English and public speaking in the high school at Fremont, Nebraska, and is studying law. Helen I., born in 1895, Florence H., born in 1898, and William B., Jr., born March 27, 1903, are all at home.

In politics Judge Quarton has always been an earnest advocate of the republican party. Aside from the judicial honors which have come to him he has served in several local offices, having been city clerk of Algona for nine years, city solicitor for several terms and also a member of the school board of the city for several terms. His cooperation is an effective factor for public progress and his influence an element for general upbuilding and improvement. Judge Quarton is well known in various fraternal and social connections. Something of his business interests which have, too, the nature of recreation, is indicated by the fact that he is a member of the American Guernsey Cattle Club, president of the Iowa Guernsey Breeders Association and Western Guernsey Breeders Association, and he is one of the leading dairymen of the state. He belongs to the Algona Skat Club and the University Club and he has membership relations with the Modern Woodmen camp at Algona; Algona Lodge, No. 174, K. P.; the Elks lodge at Estherville, Iowa; Prudence Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M., and Prudence Chapter, No. 70, R. A. M., both of Algona; and of the Knight Templar Commandery at Estherville. He enjoys in the highest measure the esteem and goodwill of his fellow townsmen. The bent of his active mind makes him take a lively interest in the study of the science of government. Although he has held few political offices and those for but a short time, while upon the bench carefully lifting the judicial ermine above the mire of partisanship, he has been a more active and efficient public servant than many who have devoted their entire lives to public affairs and who have obtained far greater distinction along that line than has ever fallen to him. A vigilant and attentive observer of men and measures, he discusses with clearness the vital questions of the day and his opinions have been an influencing factor in obtaining succor for any measure which he advocates. Judge Quarton has lectured on agricultural and dairy topics in nearly all the western states and his services in these lines are sought by the large lecture bureaus of the country.

Kossuth Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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