SLOAN, Hugh Brown: Died 1935

SLOAN, BROWN, DISBROW, JACKS, SMITH, THERME, WHITNEY

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 7/18/2014 at 10:25:15

**Handwritten: KEO REP 7 FEB 1935

Hugh B. Sloan

Hugh Brown Sloan, son of Robert Sloan and Mary Brown Sloan was born in Keosauqua, Iowa, September 1st, 1866, and died at his home in Keosauqua on January 31st, 1935 at 5:05 a.m., aged 68 years, 5 months.

He was educated in the Keosauqua schools and in an Academy here, studied law in the office of his father Judge Robert Sloan and was admitted to the Bar in 1892. Since that time he has been continuously engaged in the practice of law in Keosauqua. During a greater portion of the period he was associated with his father Judge Robert Sloan, having different associates during portions of the time when his father was serving on the bench. At the time of his death the business carried on in the name of Sloan & Sloan in memory of his father. During his early young manhood and before taking up regularly the practice of law he was engaged in work for the Census Department of the Federal Government, much of this time was spent in the East and South.

His wife Hattie Disbrow Sloan preceded him in death, leaving two daughters, of tender years, Donna Miriam, now Mrs. F.M. Jacks, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Orpha Lucile, now Mrs. Verle C. Smith of Ottumwa. Until the time of the marriage of these daughters, his life was devoted unswervingly to making a home for them and to their careful rearing and education. To them he was both father and mother. There was between them a loyalty and affection, beautiful to behold.

Keosauqua and Van Buren County never had a citizen who was more deeply interested in their welfare and development than Mr. Sloan. Throughout all of his life he was loyal to the interest of both. He was an untiring, unselfish worker in matters of public interest and many publc(sp) interest and many have been made in the town and county stand as monuments to his public spirit and interest.

When the question of procuring hard roads in Van Buren County was presented it was Hugh who took the Chairmanship of the organization, laid aside practically all personal interests and devoted himself to the management of a campaign which resulted in this program being put over, and he has in like manner fostered and supported public movements throughout his entire life in this community.

As a lawyer he distinguished himself for his ability and was known as an able and dependable counselor, not only in Van Buren County but throughout the state. He was possessed of a keen, logical legal mind. Was never hasty in his decisions, but sound and dependable in the conclusions reached. He was distinguished as a counselor rather than as an advocate, and was particularly well grounded in municipal and banking laws in which he took particular interest. He bore his part of the work as associate councel, he was courteous with opposing councel. His word was as good as a bond. He was an honor to the most honored profession. He was a member of the American, State, Second Judicial District and County Bar Associations.

He was a great reader, and was particularly interested in matters of history, more especially the history of his own county and this section of the state.

His great hobby was trees, and he has waged many battle to save a stalwart tree from destruction. He was always a loyal supporter of the Congregational Church of Keosauqua of which Church and its history and the work that it accomplished he had a deep veneration.

He was a member of all the Masonic bodies in Keosauqua and earlier years was an active worker in these organizations.

He is survived by his daughters, Donna Miriam Jacks (Mrs. F.N. Jacks) of Kansas City, Missouri and Orpha Lucile Smith, (Mrs. Verle C. Smith) of Ottumwa, Iowa; two grandsons, Frank Sloan Jacks and Hugh Herbert Jacks; his three sisters, Miss Stella Sloan, Keosauqua, Iowa, Mrs. J. Lester Therme, Keosauqua, Iowa, and Mrs. E.E. Whitney of Paonia, Colorado; and his brother, Robert Sloan of Burlington, Iowa.

He was a kind and lovable man, charitable in his judgments, helped, and always where there was need, particularly at the Christmas season remembering those less fortunate than he, in substantial ways.

This town and community have produced few men, who had a ??der, more helpful and more lasting influence, in their development than Hugh Brown Sloan.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book D, Page 46, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA