Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 199
HERMAN J. LAUDER, a leading member of the Muscatine County bar, was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., May 3, 1850, and is a son of William G. and Wealthy H. ( Fanning ) Lauder, the former a native of Montgomery County, born in 1819, the latter a native of Schoharie County, N. Y., born in 1821. They had but two children: John, a graduate of the medical department of the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, Iowa, now engaged in practice at Afton, Iowa, and Herman, of this sketch. In 1856, accompanied by his family, Mr. Lauder emigrated to Henry County, Iowa, locating at Winfield, where he engaged in blacksmithing. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and was always well informed on all public issues, both State and National. Prior to the war he was what was known as an Abolitionist, but always supported the Republican party, and was also a firm advocate of temperance principles.

The subject of this sketch received a liberal education, first attending the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, after which he became a student of the Simpson Seminary, of Indianola, being graduated from that institution in the class of ' 72, of which Prof. Thomas McFarland was also a member. Choosing law as the profession which he wished to follow, he then entered the law department of the Iowa State University, being graduated in the class of ' 73, and the following year located at Muscatine, Iowa, where he has practiced his profession continuously since. He has gained a reputation that many an older practitioner might well envy, and holds a prominent place in the Muscatine County bar. During the autumn of 1886 he was elected to the office of Prosecuting Attorney of Muscatine County, and re-elected in 1888, discharging his duties in an able and prompt manner. He has also held the office of Alderman for three terms. In his political sentiments he has always been a supporter of the Democratic party, and a strong advocate of the principles as taught by its prominent leaders.

On the 13th of October, 1874, at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Mr. Lauder led to the marriage altar Miss Laura M. Cleaver, a daughter of Dr. H. T. Cleaver, who was a prominent physician of Keokuk for many years. When the Dr. first came to this State he located in Louisa County, where he was honored by being elected to the State Senate. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lauder three children were born, but only one is now living, Frank E.

Our subject has always taken the warmest interest in educational matters, which have received from him a hearty and liberal support. He is prominent in the promotion of any enterprise for the public welfare, and as a business man possesses the entire confidence of the community in which he resides. Genial, warm-hearted and an entertaining conversationalist, he is a favorite in the social world, and by a large circle of friends and acquaintances is held in high regard.

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