HON. LEWIS MILES 1845-1921

MILES, WELCH, ROBB, CARTER, TEDFORD

Posted By: Dana Roquet (email)
Date: 1/21/2011 at 22:17:32

Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa Volume 1
By B. F. Gue, Benjamin Franklin Shambaugh
Conaway & Shaw, Publishers 1899

MILES, Hon. Lewis, of Corydon, who served several terms in the legislature and has been twice appointed United States district attorney, was born in Marion county, Ohio, June 30, 1845. He came to Wayne County with his parents in April, 1853, and has resided there constantly since. His father, William Miles, was a farmer. He died December 26, 1879. His mother, Emily Welch Miles, died October 11, 1865.

Lewis Miles worked on a farm until 19 years of age, when he commenced the study of law in the office of Gen. S. L. Glasgow. He was admitted to the bar at Corydon, in October, 1868, and commenced active practice in November, 1872, at which time a partnership was formed with Capt. J. N. McClanahan. In October, 1869, when but a few months past 24, he was elected to the state legislature, and despite his youth, was recognized as one of the most influential members of the lower house. In June, 1873, the relation with Caption McClanahan was dissolved, and another formed with W. H. Tedford, now a judge in the Third judicial district, under the firm name of Tedford & Miles, which continued until February, 1879. His next law associate was J. W. Freeland and the firm of Freeland & Miles enjoyed a prosperous business until 1891, when it was dissolved. Mr. Miles practiced alone until August 1, 1894, when he became associated with C. W. Steele, under the firm name of Miles & Steele, which still continues.

Mr. Miles was married February 20, 1868, to Miss Mary D Robb, at Corydon. They have an interesting family of four children; William E., born March 9, 1871; Charles B., born February 4, 1874; Winifred, born March 9, 1876, and Lois, born August 5, 1882.

In 1879 he was a candidate on the republican ticket for the state senate, and was defeated, although running far ahead of ticket. In 1880 he was presidential elector for the Eighth district and voted for Garfield and Arthur. He was the choice of his party for member of the upper branch of the general assembly again in 1883, and was elected by a good majority, serving in the Twentieth and Twenty-first General Assemblies. President Harrison appointed him to the position of United States district attorney for the southern district of Iowa, and during his incumbency of that office, extending over a period of four years, not a single indictment drawn by him or in his office was quashed or declared insufficient. His record as an officer and his distinguished party services secured him reappointment to the district attorneyship when the republicans returned to power in 1896, the Iowa delegation being united in recommending him for the place. He takes an active part in politics, and is in demand as a speaker during every campaign. He made thirty-seven speeches in the McKinley-Bryan campaign. He has been engaged in the active practice of law since 1872, except when broken by his appointment to the United States attorneyship, and has a law library of over 3,000 volumes. He is regarded by the bar of the state and by the leading politicians of all parties as one of the brightest and ablest men in the state.

note from contributor: his son Charles B. married Eva Tedford, daughter of Lewis Miles' law partner.
His daughter Winifred married H.H. Carter