E.K. Valentine

VALENTINE

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 11/24/2006 at 20:00:12

E.K. Valentine

Edward Kimball Valentine was born in Keosauqua, Iowa, June 1, 1843. During the Civil War he volunteered for service but was informed that his lack of age and physical debility precluded his acceptance in the infantry. After repeated attempts he was finally mustered into service in 1862 in the Sixty-seventh Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently served in the secret service at Chicago and St. Louis. He was promoted to second lieutenant and honorably discharged. In the spring of 1863 he re-enlisted as a private in the Seventh Iowa Cavalry, was promoted to adjutant of the regiment and twice brevetted for "efficient and meritorious services", and served until June 1866.

He settled in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1866. He served as register of the United States land office at West Point, Nebraska from 1869 to 1871. Valentine studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1869. He was elected judge of the sixth judicial district in 1875. He was elected as a Republican to Congress from 1879 to 1885. As a member of the House of Representatives he was instrumental in passing a bill to protect settlers from 'land sharks', who would apply for land that had already been improved by homestead settlers and defeat their title. Due to his popularity in the region, when Valentine, Nebraska was planned out the town was named after him. He served as Sergeant-at-arms of the U.S. Senate from 1890 to 1893. In 1908 he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he lived in retirement until his death April 11, 1916. Internment was in the Union Ridge Cemetery, Norwood Park, Illinois.