OSCAR HALE.

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         Not many citizens of Iowa can claim to belong to the fifth generation of their family in this state, although in long settled parts of the east such a claim would not be considered unusual. Iowa belongs to the great west and within the recollection of persons now living a large part of the state was still occupied by the Indians. The advent of the white man gradually brought about a transformation and today Iowa ranks as one of the richest and most prosperous . . .

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. . . commonwealths of the Union. A record of the Hale family appears elsewhere in this work, covering a period of more than seventy years in Iowa, in the course of which its members performed their duty not only in subduing the wilderness but in business and professional pursuits.

         Oscar Hale, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, has for the past seventeen years been engaged in the practice of law at Wapello and is one of the best known attorneys of Louisa county. Born at Wapello, February 27, 1867, he is a son of John Hale, who was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife being Esther Palmer. She was the mother of two children, now living: Lydia, who married C. P. Lacey, of Wapello; and Lauren, who is now a resident of Longton, Kansas. The mother died in 1863 and Mr. Hale was married, in Des Moines county, Iowa, in 1866, to Miss Clara Rhodes. To this union six children were born, two of whom are now living, Oscar and Nellie, who assists her brother in his law office.

         Mr. Hale of this review received his early education in the public schools of Louisa county and later attended Valparaiso Normal University at Valparaiso, Indiana. He began the study of law under his father and subsequently pursued the law course at the state university at Iowa City. He was admitted to the bar in 1893 in Jackson county, Kansas, where he had been engaged in teaching for five years. In 1894 he was admitted to practice in Iowa and has since maintained his office at Wapello, meeting with generous recognition as a successful advocate and a wise counselor. He has been identified with many important causes in this part of the state and his clientage includes many of the leading citizens and business firms of Wapello and Louisa county.

         On February 20, 1899, Mr. Hale was married to Miss Carrie Sillick, a daughter of Asher and Fannie (Mallory) Sillick, of Jefferson township. They have one son, John, who was born August 5, 1900, and is now a pupil of the public schools. Mr. Hale is known as a man of the highest integrity and honor, who possesses in a marked degree the characteristics of justice, charity and kindness. To the best of his ability he has during his entire business career maintained the ideals of his profession. Since his boyhood his life has been an open book in Louisa county and his integrity and uprightness of purpose have never been questioned. It is fortunate for the publishers of this work that Mr. Hale became one of the associate editors of the History of Louisa county and it would have been difficult, indeed, to find a man better qualified for the responsibility. Fraternally he is a valued member of the Masonic order.