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         HON. JOHN HALE, attorney-at-law, of Wapello, a member of the law firm of Hurly & Hale, and a pioneer of this county of 1839, was born in Greene County, Ohio, on the 8th of August, 1825, in that corner detached from the southwest by Mad River, and locally known as “Hominy Ridge.” His parents were John and Asenath (Searl) Hale, His father was born in Bedford County, Va., and was a carpenter by trade. Our subject spent the first ten years of his life in and about his native place. In 1835 the family removed to Putnam County, Ill., locating at Hennepin, subsequently living in the counties now known as Bureau and Marshall, until December, 1839, when they came to Iowa, John having come three months before, arriving in this State on the 29th of September. They settled at Toolsboro Village, Louisa County. Until the time of his coming to Iowa John had no opportunities of obtaining an education, except, perhaps, a few months’ attendance in a district school, and here it was out of the question. He had to work hard, early and late, learning to be a mechanic, working at carpen- . . .

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. . . ter work, cabinet-making or any sort of mechanical work in wood that came handy, at which he could earn a dollar. His advantages of education were limited, but by availing himself of every opportunity, and sometimes making opportunities, he acquired a fair English education.

Having mastered his trade, Mr. Hale, realizing one of the best observed truths of Holy Writ, “that it is not well for man to live alone,” took unto himself a helpmate in the person of Miss Esther Palmer, daughter of Nathaniel G. and Elizabeth (Colburn) Palmer, to whom he was married July 2, 1848. They reared four children, two sons and two daughters: Lydia is the wife of C. P. Lacey, of Wapello; Izola married James G. Seehorn, and resides at Muscatine, Iowa; Rush, the eldest son, is the husband of Miss May Silverthorn, and resides at San Diego, Cal.; Lauren is the husband of Miss Esther Garner, and makes his home at Longton, Kan. Mrs. Hale, an estimable lady, died April 4, 1863. Mr. Hale continued to reside at Toolsboro until 1856, when he was elected Clerk of the Court for Louisa County, and removed to Wapello, the county seat, there entering upon the discharge of his official duties, which were performed so satisfactorily to his constituents that they re-elected him at each succeeding election until 1871. He began the study of the law some years previous, and his continued experience in legal proceedings incident to his office aiding him, he was admitted to the bar in December, 1870. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Wapello, and in August, 1871, formed the existing partnership with James S. Hurley, which has continued without interruption for eighteen years.

On the 1st of March, 1866, Mr. Hale was again united in marriage, Miss Clara Rhodes becoming his wife. Mrs. Hale is a daughter of Grafton Rhodes, an early pioneer of Des Moines County, Iowa, and is a native of Perry County, Ohio. There are four children living who were born of their union: Oscar is a graduate of Easton Normal School, of Valparaiso, Ind., where he took a scientific course, and is now a law student in his father’s office; Hal is a student at the Normal School at Valparaiso, and has been a teacher; Jay and Nellie are yet children. Mrs. Hale is a member of the Presbyterian Church, while Mr. Hale is a liberal Christian, with a strong leaning toward Universalism. In early life he was a Whig in politics, but since the organization of the Republican party has been a strong and positive adherent to the principles of that institution. He is a zealous Odd Fellow and a prominent Mason, and was actively identified with the project of the erection of the new Masonic building, which is a credit to the order and an ornament to the city. As a lawyer, Mr. Hale has been successful, and the firm of which he is a member ranks among the leaders of the Louisa County bar. In regard to the early history of Louisa County and its people, few, if any, are better informed than Mr. Hale. The writer is under obligations to this gentleman for many favors in this direction, while in “search for information under difficulties.”

Mr. Hale has always been of a studious turn of mind, is an original thinker, and possesses a liberal fund of general information. In his youth he developed a talent for poetical composition, and the snows of many winters have not quenched the fires of the muse in his soul, as is shown by his frequent contributions to the campaign music of his party. Possessing a keen sense of humor and the faculty of impersonating character, Mr. Hale is never at a loss for a story or an apt illustration. While not possessing the peculiar characteristics of a successful accumulator of wealth, his integrity is above question, and he has made the comfort of his family and the proper education of his children paramount to the desire for worldly wealth. As a citizen, Mr. Hale is public-spirited and progressive, while as a neighbor and friend, he is genial, warm-hearted and always reliable, whether in sunshine or in storm.