The profession of law is one which has vitally to do with the maintenance of a high state of civilization, for if it becomes corrupt and private gain is placed before the securing of justice by those actively connected with the profession the faith of the people in the adequacy of the law and the courts is gradually lost and a spirit of lawlessness grows, which is inimical to the best development of the country. Those attorneys who realize this and steadfastly live up to the highest ethical standards of their profession perform a great service for their community. Henry Bronson, of Manchester, has proven a lawyer of unswerving integrity and of ability and as a result he has an extensive and lucrative practice.
     He was born in Manchester on the 12th of February, 1877, a son of Charles E. and Jennie E. (Shelden) Bronson, the former born in New York on the 14th of November, 1841, and the latter born in Berea, Ohio, in December, 1848. The father was one of the leading members of the bar of Manchester, where he came immediately after his admission to practice in 1866. In 1877 he was nominated on the democratic ticket for state senator to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of L. G. Hersey, of Earlville, and he was elected by a large majority. While serving in the senate he was appointed one of the legislative commission and joint committee of the general assembly to investigate the affairs of the state penitentiary. In 1877 he became one of the proprietors and editors of the Manchester Democrat and did much to insure the success of that paper. In 1884 he and E. M. Carr became law partners and that association was main-tained for a number of years with mutual pleasure and profit. In April, 1885, he was appointed postmaster of Manchester and held that position until 1890. He also served as city attorney for a number of years and was for some time on the school board. His opinion was valued in public affairs and he was active in many phases of municipal life. He passed away a number of years ago. On the 29th of June, 1868, he married Miss Jennie E. Shelden, and they became the parents of five children, namely, Earl, Wirt, Leo, Byron and Henry.
     The last named received his elementary and secondary education in his native city, graduating from the Manchester high school in June, 1894. He subsequently was for two years a student at Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and for two terms attended Oberlin College at Oberlin, Ohio. Deciding to prepare for the profession of the law he entered the law department of Drake University, from which he was graduated in June, 1904, and was admitted to the bar in the same month. Previous to taking up his legal studies he learned the printer's trade and was for some time connected with the newspaper business. Since his admission to the bar he has practiced his profession and for several years was a member of the law firm of Bronson, Carr & Sons. Since 1912 Mr. Bronson has practiced alone. He holds the respect alike of his professional brethren and of the general public, who recognize in him a capable and conscientious attorney. He has a detailed knowledge of the law and the ability to recognize the essential points in any matter in dispute and also the power to present his views and arguments forcibly and logically.
      Mr. Bronson was married on the 23d of April, 1902, at Manchester, to Miss Edith M. Clark, a daughter of O. C. Clark, and they have one child, Bethel Celeste. Mr. Bronson is a democrat in his political views and supports the candidates and measures of that party at the polls. Fraternally he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias. His entire life has been passed in Manchester and his fellow townsmen, who have every opportunity of observing him carefully, hold him in high esteem, as they have invariably found him a man of honor and a gentleman in the best sense of the word.