Presiding for the second term as judge of the eighteenth judicial district, the consensus of public opinion accords Judge William Newton Treichler recognition as one of the most honored and valued residents of Tipton. He was born in Montgomerty county, Pennsylvania, January 8, 1856, a son of Abram and Margaret (Miller) Treichler, who were also natives of that county, where they resided until their removal westward to Cedar county, Iowa, in the spring of 1866. Their remaining days were here passed, the father’s death occurring when he had reached the venerable age of ninety-two years, while his wife attained the advanced age of eighty-four years were her demise. He was a blacksmith and carriage builder in Pennsylvania at the time when all the work on carriages was done by hand and the vehicle sold from four hundred to six hundred dollars. After removing to Cedar county Mr. Treichler engaged in farming. He was preeminent in Masonic circles in the east and attained high rank in the order. His early political allegiance was given to the whig party and on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the republican party. He was a staunch advocate of the cause of abolition and when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he at once espoused its cause.
Judge William N. Treichler, who was the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, was a lad of ten years when he accompanied his parents on their westward removal to Cedar county, Iowa, the family home being established in Linn township. He assisted his father in the development of the new farm for two years and then began working by the monthas a farm hand, being times employed through the summer season, while in the winter months he attended school. Desirous of receiving better educational advantages than the district schools afforded, he spent the winters in study and at the age of sixteen years entered the University of Iowa, graduating from the law department of that institution at the age of twenty-tree. He had also attended a business college at Davenport, in which he completed a full course.
Immediately after his graduation from the university Judge Treichler was admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Iowa and in the spring of 1880 came to Tipton, where he entered the law office of Wolf & Landt. There he put his theoretical knowledge to the practical test and after two years spent with that firm entered into partnership with H. L. Huber, with whom he was associated for a year or town. Since that time he has been alone in practice and earnest application, intuitive wisdom, keen power of analysis and careful preparation of cases gained him prominence and success at the bar. In 1898 he was elected judge of the eighteenth judicial district of Iowa, which comprises the counties of Cedar, Jones and Linn, and on the expiration of his eight years’ term was reelected in 1906, so that his present incumbency will continue until 1911. He has been connected with the trial of various important cases, including the Boulevard Paving case of Tipton when he was one of the attorneys, and since coming to the bench has rendered the decision in the famous Cedar Rapids Water case. At the bar and as a trial lawyer Judge Treichler has always been courteous but forceful, logical, convincing and never a quibbler over non-essential points. In practice he prepares his cases with patience, faithfulness and ability and seldom is involved by his opponents in a phase of the litigation which he has not carefully considered. As counselor he is astute but conservative. In his decisions he has exhibited the same traits as marked his career at the bar, always thoroughly examining the pending matter and basing his clearly expressed conclusions on the fundamental principles of the law. Those who know him personally or have had professional dealings with him in his judicial capacity need not be told that his decisions from the bench are quite devoid of political considerations or individual leanings.
Judge Treichler has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and aside from judicial office served as mayor of Tipton for one term, having been elected to that position in 1884. During his administration the present water-works system was constructed and the first municipal electric light plant installed in the city. Moreover, his public service in other connections has been of great value. He is now president of the Tipton Public Library Association and has been a member of its board of trustees since its organization. It was through his correspondence that Tipton secured the Carnegie Library. At the urgent request of a trustee Judge Triechler consented to write Mr. Carnegie, knowing, however, that different people had previously addressed him upon the subject and failed to receive any response. Three weeks passed and Judge Treichler received no reply to his letter. The same trustee requested him to write again and his importunity prevailed. He addressed the second letter to Andrew Carnegie – an apology from beginning to end caused by his former and similar letters. Within a week a reply was received asking for a copy of his first letter and after some correspondence Tipton received a donation of ten thousand dollars toward the building of a library. This was the first small library to receive a donation from Mr. Carnegie.
In March, 1883, at Norristown, Pennsylvania, was celebrated the marriage of Judge Treichler and Miss Joanna Rhoads, a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Joseph and Ann (Crawford) Rhoads, who always remained residents of the Keystone state. Mrs. Treichler is closely connected with the Jacob De Haven family of Revolutionary fame. By her marriage she has become the mother of three sons: Joseph Rhoads, now a merchant of Mitchell, South Dakota; Abram H., athome; and William Edmond, a student in the Iowa State Universary.
Aside from his law practice and public interests Judge Treichler is president of the Tipton Light & Heating Company. Always interested in education and scientific research, he is a member of the State Historical Society of Iowa and the National Geographical Society. He has likewise been president of the Cedar County Chautauqua Association since its organization and, in fact, was one of its founders. In this connection he puts forth earnest effort to have the Chautauqua assemblies a source of deep interest and of educative value, and through his instrumentality some of the finest lecturers of the country have appeared upon the platform here, while musical and literary entertainments of equal merit have been given. The activities of Judge Treichler touch the varied interest of society and constitute a stimulus for activity along lines which work for the benefit of the individual and the betterment of the community.
