HISTORICAL

The county was created, named and its boundaries fixed by the Wisconsin legislature in December, 1837, and until the following year was attached to Dubuque county for judicial purposes. In the spring of 1838 the governor of Wisconsin territory appointed John W. Griffith the first sheriff. On September 10, 1838, the first election was held and officers elected as follows: S. H. McMaster, county judge; A. Kennedy, treasurer; F. Andras, recorder; John W. Griffith, sheriff and assessor; C. S. Edison, surveyor; J. B. Quigley, coroner; W. D. Grant, Robert Campbell and George Culver, county commissioners. Elkader is now the county-seat.

For five years after the county was organized the early bar was composed of only traveling attorneys, those who followed the circuit and took the business that came in the way. Among those who had cases in the county prior to 1843, but who never claimed a residence here, were J. V. Berry, L. A. Thomas, Thomas Rogers, James Churchman, James Crawford, James Grant, S. C. Hastings, Timothy Davis, Stephen Hempstead, Alfred Bronson, Mr. Larned, Charles Dunn, Wyman Knowlton, P. A. R. Pearse, J. C. Caldwell, Thomas P. Burnett and Mr. Ingersoll. Samuel Murdock was the first to make Clayton county his home. He was followed by the following named: Rueben Noble, Eliphalet Price, Elias H. Williams, P. M. Potter, Gilbert Douglas, Norman Chesley, Schuyler R. Peet, A. J. Jourdan, Thomas Armstrong, Orlando F. Stevens, J. O. Crosby, A. H. Chandler, T. C. Thompson, P. C. Young, G. W. Cook, Elijah Odell, Thomas Updegraff, John F. Stoneman, Dr. Baugh, C. F. Reinick, Willis Drummond, Chas. Woodward, B. F. Hunt, Douglas Leffingwell, S. T. Woodward, Alpheus Scott, Sanford L. Peck, J. W. Moor, T. C. Ransom, Alonzo Brown, H. S. Granger, Colonel Richardson, L. O. Hatch, Robert Quigley and Hiram Odell.

Elias H. Williams was elected county judge in August, 1851. Eliphalet Price succeeded Judge Williams in 1855, and served five years. O. W. Crary was Judge Price's successor in 1857, and was succeeded by John Garber in 1859, who served two years.

Probate courts were established by the legislature on the organization of the territory. Richard Pearson was the first probate judge for Clayton county, dating his appointment from 1838. He was succeeded by Eliphalet Price, and in turn by Sidney Wood, Andrew S. Cooley, and John Francis. In 1851 county courts were established, having probate jurisdiction, and the probate court, as such, was abolished, the act having been passed at the session of the assembly meeting in the winter of 1850-51. In 1860-61 the assembly re-established probate courts and did away with the office of county judge. The first to fill the office of probate judge at this time was A. C. Rogers, of Garnavillo. Judge Rogers served four years. and was succeeded by Charles A. Dean of Monona, who served until legislated out of office in 1868. The first term of the district court "for the county of Clayton in the territory of Wisconsin," was held at Prairie La Porte on the fourth Monday in May, 1838, Hon. Chas. Dunn, district judge, presiding. William H. Banks was appointed attorney for the United States, pro tem, and James Churchman was appointed district attorney pro tem.

In 1868 the general assembly passed an act creating circuit courts. At the same time the office of county judge was abolished, and the business of that office was transferred in part to the circuit court. B. T. Hunt of Elkader, was the first circuit judge, his term beginning January 1, 1869, and continuing four years: Judge Hunt was succeeded by Chas. T. Granger, of Waukon.

The members of the present bar of Clayton county are: J. E. Corlett, V. T. Price, Preston & Fletcher, D. D. Murphy, Everall & Shulte, M. Fitzpatrick, A. R. Cole, Newberry Bros., M. X. Geske, Thomas Updegraff, Robert Quigley, A. Chapin, W. C. McNeil, E. R. Otis, A. H. Borman, Chas. E. Scholz, J. O. Crosby, F. S. Burling, S. T. Richards.

Eliphalet Price was born in Jersey City in the state of New Jersey on the 31st day of January, 1811, and died at Colorado Springs, Colorado, on December 10, 1880. His father, Eliphalet Price, was a Presbyterian clergyman and instructor in the city of Jersey City, New Jersey.

Our subject spent his boyhood in the cities of New Jersey and New York. He was educated in the common schools of his native place and under the instructions of his father until he attained the age of eighteen years, when his father took him to New York City and bound him for seven years as an apprentice to learn the trade of a painter. He read law and was admitted to the bar in the district court of Clayton county, Iowa, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession. He was elected county judge in 1855, and at the expiration of his term he found his health so impaired by asthma as to render him unable to attend to the business of his clients.

He then gave such time as his health would permit to literature and writing for the newspapers, journals and magazines. Most of his articles were written over his name or his nom de plume of "Black Springs," "Glen Fruen," "Alpine Grove," those being the names of the farms in Clayton county on which he lived at the time he wrote.

While a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, his nom de plume was "Mucilage." Many of his articles. attracted the attention of professors and literary men of foreign countries, who translated his articles into their languages and published them in their papers with comments.

He was one of the charter members of the Masonic lodge, Prairie La Porte, No. 147, organized August 13, 1859, at Guttenberg, Iowa, and on his death he was buried with Masonic honors by his brethren at Colorado Springs, and many prominent Masons from Denver, Pueblo and other cities were in attendance. And while he will long be remembered for his fine interesting conversational powers and high literary attainments, yet he was a kind, courteous and social friend to all, whether rich or poor, and his sympathies were always aroused at any sign of distress or sorrow, and he was sure to be found "a friend in need."

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Realto E. Price was born in Clayton county, territory of Iowa, August 1, 1840, being the second white child born in the county. His father was the late Hon. Eliphalet Price and his mother's maiden name was Mary Lowe Cottle.

The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood in Clayton county, attending the common schools, and later the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa. He read law in the office of Murdock & Hunt, at Elkader, for two years and with Odell & Updegraff, McGregor, one year. The first-named firm was composed of Judge Samuel Murdock and Judge B. T. Hunt, and the latter firm of Elijah Odell and Hon. Thos. Updegraff.

He was admitted to the bar at the January term, 1863, of the district court of Clayton county, Judge Elias H. Williams presiding. The examination was conducted by Judge Samuel Murdock, Reuben Noble and Elijah Odell in the presence of Judge Williams. In January, 1863, a co-partnership was formed with B. T. Hunt, under the firm name of Hunt & Price, which continued until January 1, 1869, when the Hon. B. T. Hunt entered upon the duties of judge of the circuit court of Clayton county.

Thereafter Mr. Price continued to practice alone until November 1, 1869, when Mr. Marvin Cook became associated with him under the firm name of Price & Cook. This firm was dissolved when Mr. Cook became clerk of the district and circuit courts of Clayton county, January 1, 1873.

Mr. Price continued the practice of his profession alone until June, 1891, when his son, Valmah T. Price, having completed a six years' course in the literary and law departments of the University of Iowa, became associated with him under the firm name R. E. and V. T. Price. Mr. Realto E. Price has, therefore, been engaged in the practice of law at Elkader, Iowa, continuously for forty-four years.

For many years he has been actively connected with the First National Bank of Elkader as director and president. He is a member of Elkader lodge, No. 72, A. F. & A. M. In his political views he is a republican. Mr. Price is a lawyer of ability and a successful business man. He was married October 16, 1866, to Miss Sarah Filetta Stewart, of Elkader.

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Thomas Updegraff was born in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1834. He received a good academic education. He came to Iowa and located in Clayton county early in the 50's and was elected clerk of the district court in 1856. He held that position four years. He read law and was admitted at Elkader, Iowa, in 1860.

Mr. Updegraff began to practice his profession in McGregor the year of his admission and has remained there ever since.

He served as a representative in the house of the seventeenth general assembly one term and he was elected to the forty-sixth, forty-seventh, fifty-third, fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth congress by the republican party.

He is a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Updegraff is regarded as a first class lawyer.

(Additional bio. from pg 195) Thomas Updegraff was born in Pennsylvania, where he received a good common school and academic education. He removed to Clayton county, Iowa, in 1856, where he was first appointed clerk of the district court, which office he held for four years, during which time he pursued the study of the law, and he was admitted to practice and located in McGregor in 1861. His practice was excellent from the first, being much aided in the ordinary details by his experience with the district court clerk's office and the sessions of court, to which he gave the closest attention. Mr. Updegraff is a very bright, active and aggressive man, and these characteristics have exhibited themselves in his entire practice, wherein he has been quite more successful than the average lawyer. He was elected to the house of representatives of the Seventeenth general assembly, and the next year was elected to congress from the Fourth district. He was re-elected at the close of his first term and, after vacation, was, in 1892, again elected, and was honored with two successive reelections. Mr. Updegraff's activity and ability which were manifested in his congressional service, enabled him to accomplish very much and to be of most extended service to his district, state and the nation. He was always at work in such lines as assured usefulness.

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Leander O. Hatch was born in Ohio, April 13, 1826. He lived on the farm and aided in clearing and cultivating it until eighteen years old, having the educational privileges of very inferior district schools during the winter months. At eighteen he taught his first district school and continued teaching, studying and working on the farm for about six years.

Part of his studies during this time were of the law. He was admitted to the bar at Cherdon, Ohio, in August, 1849. In 1853 Mr. Hatch immigrated to Iowa, his first winter being spent in teaching school at Hartwick.

The following spring he located at Waukon. He immediately opened a law office and practiced there until January 1, 1869, when he removed to McGregor and formed a partnership with Reuben Noble, which continued until Mr. Noble went upon the bench in 1874.

In 1855, the next year succeeding that in which he located at Waukon, he was appointed treasurer and recorder of the county, to fill a vacancy, and soon after was elected to the same office. In 1866 he was chosen attorney of the Tenth judicial district. In view of the meagre compensation, he resigned before his term of office had expired. At the time of his resignation he had as partner at Waukon, C. T. Granger, who was afterwards chief justice of the supreme court.

For many years Mr. Hatch was judge of the Thirteenth judicial district and was considered one of Iowa's ablest trial judges.

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Samuel Murdock was the first lawyer of Clayton county and the first judge of the Tenth judicial district. He was born in Pennsylvania March 13, 1817. He had a good common school education, was a teacher for a number of years, and then read law. He located in Iowa City in 1841, following his profession there for about one year, then moved to Clayton county, settling near Jacksonville, now Garnavillo.

In 1845 he was elected to the territorial legislature and served two terms. In 1855 he was elected judge of the Tenth district, which then covered ten counties of northeastern Iowa. He held the first court in most of these counties, going on horseback from one countyseat to another. He served in the house of the Thirteenth general assembly in 1869.

In 1876 the governor appointed him to fill Iowa's department of anthropology at the Centennial Exposition held at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His last public service was at the semi-centennial gathering at Burlington in October, 1896, where he was the principal speaker on "Pioneer's Day."

He died January 27, 1897.

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Elias H. Williams was born July 23, 1819, in Ledyard, Connecticut. He attended the common schools and prepared later for college, graduating at Yale. After coming west, and during the Black Hawk War, he was in the military service, and was stationed at Fort Atkinson for a time.

He located in Garnavillo, Clayton county, in 1846, and engaged in farming and the practice of law, and in 1856 he became a republican, upon the organization of that party, interesting himself in public affairs. He was judge in Clayton county, and from 1858 to 1866 served as judge of the Tenth judicial district.

In connection with the practice of his profession and management of his farm, Judge Williams was extensively engaged in promoting railroad enterprises and was influential in securing the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, up the shore of the Mississippi river through Clayton county, and also the same road up the valley of the Turkey river.

He was the head of the company that constructed the Iowa Eastern Railroad to Elkader and supplied most of the funds for same. He was a man of integrity and great influence.

He died August 20, 1891.

We take the following from the Historical Record written by James O. Crosby:

"Judge Williams was elected the first county judge of Clayton county and held the office two terms. In 1870 he was appointed by Governor Samuel Miller to fill a vacancy on the bench of the supreme court of this state, but served only till his successor, elected at the next following election, had qualified. The published opinions written by him are models of clearness and brevity. He had a retentive memory, and his knowledge was extensive and minute. He was untiring in his efforts to benefit his friends, his neighbors, and the county, state and nation in which he lived. To the young he was an especial friend, and in conferring benefits upon them would present them with such delicacy as to make himself appear the recipient of the favors. While he was district judge we traveled the circuit together and I came to know him intimately. When I first met him, in 1854, I found in him a friend, and so he continued always to be and I never heard him express a thought prompted by an unworthy motive.

"At a meeting of the members of the Clayton county bar, held in open court, September 2, 1891, the following resolution, among others, was ordered to be entered on the records of the district court:

"Resolved, that in the death of Judge Williams we feel that Iowa has lost one of its brightest intellects, a mind of high culture, an able jurist, a man of strict integrity and of kind heart."

Many kind and sympathetic words were spoken, and his old pioneer companion, Judge Murdock, paid a glowing tribute to his memory. From the remarks of Hon. Thomas Updegraff, I make a single quotation: "It was a high privilege to be his friend, for to be with him was in itself an inspiration, and even dullness grew brighter in his presence."

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Reuben Noble was born near Natchez, Mississippi, April 14, 1821, but removed with his parents to Jersey county, Illinois, at an early age. His early education was very meager, as he attended school only three months after he was twelve years of age. He worked on his father's farm until he was eighteen, when he decided to make the law his profession. He was only a little past twenty-two when he was admitted to the bar. He began practicing his profession at Fair Play, Wisconsin, in the spring of 1842, but the next year he removed to Jacksonville (now Garnavillo) and opened a law office there in October of that year.

Here he continued to practice until 1857, when he removed to McGregor, which continued to be his home until his death, which occurred August 8, 1896.

Although Judge Noble's early educational advantages were of the poorest, he had a great desire for learning, and during the three years of his life from eighteen to twenty-one, in addition to his preparation for the law, he acquired some knowledge of Latin, and also of literature and science. With this, however, he was not content, but he continued a student, not only of law, but of knowledge in general, to the day of his death, and he was regarded as a well-educated man.

But the law was his chief study, and to this, and the practice of his profession, he applied himself so well and with such ability that he soon came to be recognized as one of the foremost lawyers of Northeastern Iowa. He possessed in a high degree the power of grasping the strong points of a case. For trickery and cunning in court trials he had only contempt.

In 1854 Mr. Noble was elected a member of the general assembly from Clayton county, and was chosen speaker of the house for the regular session and also for the special session held in 1855. He was a member of the convention which nominated Lincoln for president in 1860. In 1874 he was elected judge of the Tenth, now Thirteenth, judicial district, and was re-elected in 1878, but resigned before the end of his second term. He was twice nominated for judge of the supreme court, declining the first nomination, and to the second paying no attention, whatever.

After Judge Noble's resignation as district judge, he formed a partnership with Hon. Thomas Updegraff for the practice of the law at McGregor, and he carried on the work of the office during the latter's first two terms in congress. This partnership was dissolved about the year 1890, Mr. Noble retaining the law business of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co., which he held until the time of his death. In his private as well as in his public life, Mr. Noble observed Blackstone's maxim: “Man should live honestly, hurt nobody, and render to everyone his just dues."

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Byron W. Newberry was born at Brownhelm, Ohio, September 1, 1853. He is the son of James and Maria H. (Westfall) Newberry. His parents came to Clayton county in 1855, and Byron received his education in the common schools and the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa, where he graduated in class of 1875. He attended also the Iowa State University, graduating from the law department of that institution in 1876, and he was admitted to the bar that year.

In February, 1877, he located at Strawberry Point, Iowa, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1887 he formed a partnership with his brother, Charles W. Newberry, under firm name of Newberry Bros., which still continues.

He is a republican. Was elected senator of the Thirty-sixth district in 1903. He served in the Thirtieth and Thirty-first general assemblies, and is still a member of the senate.

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G. H. Schultz was born January 21, 1866, at Clayton, Clayton county, Iowa. He acquired his education in the public schools and attended the Iowa State College at Ames, graduating in 1890.

He took up the study of law in the law department of the Iowa State University in 1891 and finished in the office of W. A. Preston at Elkader, Iowa. He was admitted to the bar in 1894 before the supreme court at Des Moines. He practiced for a short time at Clayton, Iowa, and later formed a partnership with John Everall at Elkader, which continued until January, 1906, and since that time he has been alone.

In 1890 he had charge of the signal corps of Iowa, when it was being reorganized. He is a democrat, and is mayor of Elkader, having been elected three successive terms. He was elected to the legislature of Iowa House of Representatives November 6, 1906.

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James O. Crosby was born March 22, 1828, in the village of Lake George, Warren county, New York. His father was Nathan Crosby and his mother was Melinda (Bishop) Crosby. He spent his boyhood at Lake George, Syracuse, Seneca Falls, Little Valley, Ellicottville, New York. He was educated in the common schools, Seneca Falls and Fredonia Academies.

He read law at Ellicottville and at John W. Fowler's law school at Cherry Valley, New York. He was admitted to the bar at the old capital in Albany, New York, May 9, 1849. In September, same year, he formed a partnership with William Pitt Angel for one year, at its expiration with Daniel G. Bingham at Ellicottville, New York.

In 1854 he moved to Garnavillo, Clayton county, Iowa. For a short time was a partner of Elijah Odell, and later with Alonzo Brown till 1861. Since then he has practiced alone until he retired 1902.

His career at the bar was simply attentive to his practice as faithfully as he knew how. He is president of Clayton County Bar Association, a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the International Law Association.

A republican in politics. Under code of 1851, member of "Commission of Legal Inquiry." Appointed by Governor Merrill member of first commission for New Capital in 1870-2. He served as a member of the Iowa Columbian Commission to Chicago World's Fair.

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William A. Preston was born in Monroe county, Illinois, in 1839. His parents were James and Elizabeth Preston, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Illinois. In 1853 the father moved with his family to Iowa, and settled on a farm at the place now known as Edgewood.

William attended the common schools in Illinois in his early boyhood and after the family settled in Iowa, went to the district schools there for a time. At the age of seventeen he entered Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and finished his schooling at Upper Iowa University, when he was associated with the late Hon. D. B. Henderson.

After leaving the University, young Preston taught school for a time, and then spent three years as traveling salesman for the school furniture house of A. H. Andrews & Co., of Chicago.

Without his knowledge, till notified of his election, he was chosen superintendent of public schools for Clayton county, Iowa. This was in November, 1867, and he went to Elkader, January 1, 1868, intending to resign the office, but yielding to the earnest solicitation of friends, among whom was Mr. S. T. Woodard, he changed his mind and devoted himself to the schools of the county, and at the same time employed his spare moments in studying law.

After the expiration of his term of office he continued his law studies, and January 31, 1871, was admitted to the bar at Elkader, and during the same year was admitted to practice in the United States courts, and was admitted to the supreme court of Iowa April 23, 1880.

On his admission to the bar Mr. Preston began his practice as a partner with S. T. Woodard, and continued that relation till 1876. Mr. Preston has been in continuous active practice at Elkader since January 1, 1871, and has been of a general character, and has embraced many important cases, taking lines into all branches of the State and United States courts.

Mr. Preston is a staunch Republican, and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He is of the order of Odd Fellows, also belongs to the United Workmen.

At first he opened an office for the practice of the law at Independence, but remained there only about a year, and then removed to Spirit Lake, where he opened an office and continued the practice for twelve years, during which time he had a remunerative and excellent business, and grew very much as a lawyer both in fact and in the estimation of the bench, the bar, and the people of his district.

In 1888 Mr. Baily removed to Des Moines, and he has continued the practice of the law from that time down to date, during which time he has done an excellent and lucrative practice, being engaged much of his time in important litigation, both corporate and other. As a lawyer Mr. Baily gives to his cases the most exhaustive, thorough and careful investigation, and is never satisfied with his preparation until he has extended his investigation to the fullest. His presentation of cases to the court is always deliberate and exhaustive, and while not a specially attractive speaker, he does, by his knowledge of the question presented, hold closely the attention of the court to his arguments. Mr. Baily is a conscientious, exemplary and able lawyer. (pg 376, Vol 1)

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William H. Baily was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on the 5th day of April, 1850. His parents were P. G. and Harriet (Clark) Baily. He was raised on a farm, educated in the common schools, and then entered the University of the state of Wisconsin, where he graduated from the collegiate department in 1873. He then entered the law department of the Iowa State University, and graduated with the law class of 1875, and was immediately admitted to practice.

After spending one year at Independence, Iowa, as a member of the firm of Baily & Jackson, he went to Spirit Lake, Ia., where he continued the practice from 1876 until he moved to Des Moines in 1888. While at Spirit Lake, he was a member of the firm of Rice & Baily for two years and the firm of Baily & Osborn for several years, but during the remainder of the time that he resided there he practiced alone.

After arriving in Des Moines, he formed a partnership with Mr. E. S. Wishard under the firm name of Wishard & Baily, which continued for two years, then for three years Mr. Baily practiced alone. He was then associated with Mr. N. T. Guernsey under the firm name of Guernsey & Baily for three years. In 1897 the firm of Baily & Ballreich was formed, which continued until 1901. He is now the senior member of the firm of Baily & Stipp.

Mr. Baily has always been a republican in politics and generally active in his party's councils. He was city solicitor of the city of Des Moines from 1900 to 1903 inclusive. The only fraternal society with which Mr. Baily is identified is the Odd Fellows. He was president of the Iowa State Bar Association from 1905 to 1906, and is now president of the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

He was married in September, 1878, to Miss Alice A. Crawford of Baraboo, Wisconsin.
(Polk co. pg 916-917, Vol II)

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T. R. North was born in Union county, Ohio, June 23, 1838. At the age of thirteen he came to Iowa with his parents, settling in Clayton county, and in 1864 he located at Adel, and has resided here since that time. He was admitted that year. He retired from the practice in 1896 on account of his health. He was mayor of Adel 1904-1905.
(Dallas county, pg 611, Vol II)

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George B. McCarty was born August 7, 1845, at Milford, Penn. When thirteen years of age his parents removed to McGregor, Iowa, where he received his early education, later, attending, for two years, the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. He studied law with the Hon. Thos. Updegraff, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1868, at Elkader, Iowa.

He began the practice of his profession at Emmetsburg in October, 1869, and in June, 1870, formed a partnership with E. J. Hartshorn, under the firm name of McCarty & Hartshorn, which continued until January 1, 1875.

In the fall of 1874 Mr. McCarty was nominated and elected district attorney of the Fourth judicial district of Iowa (comprising twenty counties at that time). This office he held until October, 1879, when. he resigned. He then formed a partnership with Col. T. W. Harrison, under the firm name of Harrison & McCarty, which was dissolved in January, 1881. On November 1, 1883, he formed a partnership with W. L. Linderman, which continued until January, 1901.

In November, 1904, his son, Dwight G., became associated with him and the firm is now McCarty & McCarty.
(Palo Alto county, pg 886-887, Vol II)

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Louis M. Fisher was born at Farmersburg, Iowa, July 3, 1850. His parents were Maturin L. and Caroline (Pratt) Fisher, who were early settlers in New England, coming to Iowa in 1849 and locating in Clayton county. L. M. Fisher was educated in the common schools of Clayton county.

At the at the University of Wisconsin he graduated with honor as an A. B. in 1872, and in the University of Iowa in 1873. He was valedictorian of his class, in which Judge McClain was a fellow student.

In 1873 Mr. Fisher began the practice of law in the office of Grant & Smith, of Davenport, and remained with them until 1877, then locating in Clinton, Iowa. After six months he returned to and opened an office in Davenport. In 1885 he was elected city attorney, and held that office by re-election to and including 1900. In 1891 he entered into partnership with Hon. Fred Heinz. Mr. Heinz died in 1904, since which time Mr. Fisher has been alone.

In politics he is a democrat, but is not an active politician.
(Scott county, pg 986, Vol II)

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John F. Thompson has practiced law in Iowa for thirty-four years, and is the oldest lawyer in the practice of his profession at the Winnebago county bar.

He was born in Ohio, September 3, 1848, and came to Iowa with his parents in the fall of 1857. He was reared on his father's farm in Clayton county.

In May, 1863, he enlisted and went to war, when he was fourteen years and seven months old, as a bugler in the Fourth Iowa battery, and was wounded in the right thigh in the Red River campaign, and discharged in the fall of 1865. For many years he has been connected with the militia of Iowa, having served as first lieutenant of the military battalion of the U. S. I. He was inspector general of the G. A. R., and commander for many years. He was also a member of the commission to locate the Vicksburg military national park.

Mr. Thompson graduated from the State University of Iowa and was admitted to the bar in 1872. He has been twice mayor of Forest City, president of the board of education and deputy register of the state land office.

He is now president of the Forest City business men's commercial club, and was for many years president of the board of trade. Thompson is the oldest banker in Winnebago county, having organized the first bank in the county in 1876, and he is still president of it, and is the active business manager, having the distinction of being at the head of the same institution of banking in the state the greater number of years. Mr. Thompson has been very successful in his law practice and in the banking business.
(Winnebago county, pg 1099, Vol II)