Harry Walton Pitkin

WALTON, PITKIN, SMITH

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/5/2015 at 21:41:22

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

On the list of Iowa’s able and successful professional men the name of Harry Walton Pitkin, lawyer, occupies a high place. Standing as he does in the front rank of one of the most exacting and important professions, he has long been a useful and appreciated worker in the world’s work, a man of well-rounded character, sincere, devoted and loyal, and richly reserves the prestige which he enjoys in this state. Until recently he resided in Sioux City, when his duties as general counsel of the Brotherhood of American Yeomen, whose headquarters are in Des Moines, made it desirable that he resides in that city, where he and his family are now pleasantly located. Mr. Pitkin was born in Knox County, Ohio, on the 16th of January, 1874, and is the son of Theodore S. AND Mary (Walton) Pitkin, the former born in Knox County, Ohio, and the latter in Pennsylvania. The father was long engaged in farming in Knox County. He is the scion of a long line of sterling American ancestors, the progenitor of the Pitkin family in this country having come from England in 1634, settling in Hartford, Connecticut. Members of the family were active in the affairs of the colonies, one having, as the representative from Connecticut, ratified the constitution of the United States. Rev. John Pitkin, the grandfather of H.W. Pitkin, was a veteran of the War of 1812 and his father fought in the Union army during the Civil War. One of his paternal great-grandfathers was Robert E. Wilson, who was the third president of Ohio University.

Harry W. Pitkin attended the district schools of his native County, completing his elementary studies in the Mt. Vernon public schools, and then entered Wooster College where he was graduated in 1900, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He afterwards matriculated in the law school of Columbia University, New York City, where he received the Bachelor of Laws degree in 1903. The same year he went to Sioux City and entered upon the practice of his profession, a short time later forming a partnership with D.G. Mullan, under the firm name of Pitkin & Mullan. This relation was continued to January 1, 1915, when Mr. Pitkin joined the firm of Milchrist & Scott, his partners being William Milchrist and George C. Scott. Later Mr. Scott was elevated to the United States district bench and subsequently the firm of Milchrist, Jepson, Pitkin, Marshall & Jepson was formed. This well-known firm is generally recognized as one of the ablest law firms in Sioux City and command a large clientele in corporation, insurance and banking circles. Mr. Pitkin is a constant student of his profession, keeping in close touch with the latest decisions of the courts, and is noted for his persistency in a cause when once satisfied of the justice of his cause. He remained in Sioux City until 1926, in which year he and his family established their home in Des Moines.

On August 3, 1904, Mr. Pitkin was united in marriage to Miss Anna Belle Smith, of Burlington Junction, Missouri, and to them have been born two children, Margaret Estella which is a student in Drake University and Dorothy Walton, who is attending high school. Mrs. Pitkin is a graduate of Drake University, receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1899, and is active in club, church and social work. Mr. Pitkin is a member of Tyrian Lodge, No. 508, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master; Sioux City Chapter, No. 26, Royal Arch Masons; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Abu-Bekr Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; the Royal Order of Scotland (Masonic) of Washington, D.C., and on October 21, 1921, the thirty-third and last degree of Freemasonry was conferred on him in recognition of his active and effective services in the order; he is also a member of Western Star Lodge, No. 282, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Columbia Lodge, No. 13, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor commander, and the Brotherhood of American Yeoman, of which he is general counsel for the national organization. He belongs to the Sioux City Country Club, the Sioux City Boat Club, the Sioux City Lions Club, is a member of the advisory council of the Order of De-Molay, belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Sioux City Alumnus Association of the Alpha Tau Omega. He is also vice-president of the legal section of the National Fraternal Congress of America, which represents some ten million members. Mr. and Mrs. Pitkin are members of the Presbyterian Church and he served on the official board of that society in Sioux City. Personally Mr. Pitkin is essentially a man among men, commanding respect in all circles in which he moves, and as a citizen he easily ranks with the most influential in affairs affecting the progress of the community. A man of great native ability, liberal education, high personal character and keen professional acumen, he has won not only material success, but what is of more importance, the absolute confidence of his fellowmen.