FOREMAN, Cyrus

FOREMAN, JOHNSTON, BISHOP

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 6/28/2009 at 21:09:19

Cyrus Foreman was for many years a prominent member of the Mitchell county bar and an honored citizen of Osage. He was born near Wooster, in Wayne county, Ohio, January 2, 1824, a son of John and Elizabeth (Johnston) Foreman, who in the winter of 1829 and 1830 removed from Ohio to St. Joseph county, Michigan, where they resided throughout their remaining days. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming and thus provided for his family.

By a former marriage he had one son, Enos Foreman, who was born August 9, 1820, and for twenty years was editor of the Wooster (Ohio) Republican ; he died in Kansas City, Missouri, in October, 1903. The death of the father occurred in Michigan, December 7, 1847, and his wife passed away in that state in 1868, having survived him for twenty-one years.

Cyrus Foreman was reared on the old homestead farm, with the usual experiences of the farmbred boy who divides his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of play, if time permits. He supplemented his common school course by study in an academy at Kalamazoo, Michigan. His father died about that time and Cyrus Foreman then took up the profession of teaching in order to provide for his own support, devoting two years in that way to the work of the schoolroom. He regarded teaching, however, merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for it was his desire to become a member of the bar. With that end in view, he entered the law office of Chester Gurney, with whom he studied for four years.

He afterward became a law student in the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor and thus thoroughly and carefully prepared for the bar. In 1857 he removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, and was soon appointed clerk of the court to fill a vacancy. In June of the following year he was admitted to practice in all of the Iowa courts and entered upon the actual work of the profession in connection with Oliver P. Harwood in a partnership which was continued for four years. He became a very prominent attorney of his section of the state.

He ever prepared his cases with great thoroughness and care, and was remarkable among lawyers for his retentive memory and the readiness with which he immediately grasped the points of an argument or the salient features of his opponent's case. He was always found ready for defense as well as for attack and he was seldom if ever at fault in the citation of legal principle or precedent.

On the 24th of November, 1853, Mr. Foreman was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Bishop, who was born in Columbia county, New York, April 24, 1834, a daughter of Smith Bishop of that county. Mrs. Foreman removed with an older brother to Michigan, at the age of seventeen years, later coming to Mitchell county. The father came direct from New York to Mitchell county, making his residence here until his demise.

To Mr. and Mrs. Foreman were born four children: Elizabeth and Grace, who are living in Osage; Burke H., who was born in 1860 and died in 1864; and one who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away January 3, 1877. She was a lady of liberal culture and refinement, highly esteemed by all who knew her and ever willing to do her part in all good work. Her memory is cherished by many by reason of her good deeds.

In politics Mr. Foreman was ever a stalwart supporter of the democratic party, with which he became identified on attaining his majority. In 1878 he was appointed by the governor a member of the committee on building the new capitol at Des Moines and served on the commission until the building was completed. He was never before the people for a public office but what he ran far ahead of his ticket, which was indicative of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him.

His was a long and successful career in public and political life and in professional circles, and over his record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He continued in the active practice of his profession until his last illness. In the fall of 1885 he had formed a partnership with G. E. Marsh, an association that was maintained throughout his remaining days. After an illness of six months, he passed away September 27, 1887, having survived the other members of his father's family by second marriage (of whom he was the eldest), death claiming him when he was sixty-three years of age. He left behind him the priceless heritage of an untarnished name which, according to the wise men of old, is rather to be chosen than great riches.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol II. Pages 78-82.

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