Dewey, Almon Ralph

DEWEY, BALDWIN, ROSSEAU

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/13/2020 at 15:39:16

Almon Ralph Dewey, attorney, residing at Washington, is well known as lawyer and as a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was born in Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio, Oct. 1, 1845. His parents, Richard and Jane (Baldwin) Dewey, were of German and Irish extraction. When our subject was two years of age the family moved to Solon, Cuyahoga County, in the same State, where he grew to manhood, beginning his literary education in the common schools of Solon, then attending the High School at Willoughby, and finishing at Hiram College. During a part of the time spent at Hiram, James A. Garfield was President of the college, and with him and his family Mr. Dewey became intimately acquainted. The friendship formed with that illustrious man remained unbroken until his death.

In August, 1862, before reaching his seventeenth year, Mr. Dewey enlisted in the 103d Ohio Infantry, but was discharged for disability in the following October. During the greater part of the next eighteen months he attended school, but his mind was as much upon the struggle then going on for the Union, as upon his books, and when the call came for 100-day men, he concluded once more to enter the service, and therefore enlisted for that period in the 150th Ohio Infantry, served his time out, and was discharged with the regiment in August, 1864. The 100-day service did not dampen his ardor, as it did many others, but only intensified his desire to continue until the close of the war. We therefore find him again enlisting in Company B, of his old regiment, the 103d, in the fall of 1864, and serving until the end.

On the 1st of January, 1868, Mr. Dewey arrived in Washington, this State, where he commenced the study of law with Gen. Hiram Scofield, and in September, 1869, passed a creditable examination and was admitted to the bar. Soon after this he opened a law office, since which time he has been in the active practice of his profession. He now practices in all of the State courts and in the federal courts as well, and for many years has had a large and lucrative business. Mr. Dewey was united in marriage in Washington, May 20, 1873, with Miss Sarah Rosseau, a daughter of W. H. H. Rosseau. Their union has been blessed with two children – Mabel C. and Charles A. Mrs. Dewey is a lady of refinement, and enjoys the friendship and esteem of a very large circle of acquaintances.

Almon R. Dewey was made a Mason May 5, 1871, being initiated in Washington Lodge No. 26., A.F. & A.M. He was made a Master Mason July 7 following, and in 1882 was Worshipful Master of the lodge. In February, 1872, he was made a Royal Arch Mason, becoming a member of Cyrus Chapter No. 13, and Nov. 16, 1874, was created a Knight Templar in Palestine Commandery No. 2, at Iowa City. In the Chapter he was appointed to the office in October, 1872, and in 1873, he was elected High Priest, which office he held for some years. He was chosen Deputy Grand High Priest in October, 1877, and Grand High Priest in 1880 and 1881, filling the latter position with single ability. In March, 1872, he was made a Royal and Select Master, and in September following was elected Right Illustrious Master of Washington Council No. 4, and in September, 1874, was called to preside over the Council, a position he filled until 1878, when the Council organization was dispensed with Iowa, being merged into the Chapter. At the grand conclave in 1882, he was appointed Grand Warder of the Grand Commandery. In 1884 he was elected Grand Captain General, in 1885, Deputy Grand Commander, and in 1886, Grand Commander of the Knights Templars of Iowa, which he now holds.

Mr. Dewey is connected with several other benevolent organizations, giving to each such time and attention as he can spare from his legal and other duties. Every department of work which is calculated to better his fellow-men, and bind them together in the strongest ties of universal brotherhood, finds in him a sympathizer and helper. As an attorney, he has been quite successful at the bar. He is full of energy, a fluent and ready debator, a rapid thinker, with good personal appearance and of persevering and untiring zeal. As a citizen, he stands well among his fellow-men, whether or not of his religious or political belief.

Politically, Mr. Dewey is an uncompromising Republican, and in the councils of his party, is one of its most trusted advisors. For many years he has regularly been a delegate to county, district and State conventions, and in the various campaigns has stumped district and State. He neither seeks nor asks office for himself, preferring to be free to work as pleases him best. Religiously, Mr. Dewey is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which body Mrs. Dewey is also a member.

In connection with this sketch will be found a fine portrait of Mr. Dewey, which will be appreciated by his many friends.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Almon Ralph Dewey, pages 403 - 404. Sketch portrait found on page 402.