For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 659
IRVIN S. PEPPER....While the growth and developement of Iowa in the last half century has been most marvelous viewed from any standpoint, there is no one class of her citizens of which she has greater reason for just pride than her judges and attorneys. In Irvin S. Pepper are found united many of the rare qualities which go to make up a successful lawyer and jurist. He possesses, perhaps, few of those brilliant, dazzling, meteoric qualities which have sometimes flashed along the legal horizon, riveting the gaze and blinding the vision for the moment, shedding light in the dark places with steadiness and continuity. He has in an eminent degree the rare ability of saying in a convincing way the right thing at the right time, and his mind is analytical, logical and inductive. He has recently completed two terms' service as county attorney and retired from the office as he entered it---with the confidence and good-will of all concerned.Mr. Pepper is a native of Davis county, Iowa, born June 10, 1876. His parents John and Mary ( Prettyman ) Pepper, were natives of Ohio and Illinois respectively. The father was a son of John Pepper, who was born in Ohio, but was of German descent. He followed the occupation of farming and in 1851 removed to Appanoose county, Iowa, where he died when more than eighty years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Pepper Sr., there were born eleven children, including Henry, George, Walter, Martha, Margaret, Mary, Ann and John. The maternal grandfather of Irvin S Pepper was Lewis Prettymen, who was a native of Delaware and of Scotch and English lineage. He, too, followed the occupation of farming as a life work and at the time of the second war with England enlisted for active duty as a soldier. He married a Miss Mason, who afterward removed westward with his family to Tazewell county,Illinois, settling near Pekin, where he died when nearly ninety years of age. Unto him and his wife were born five children, including Mary E. Prettyman, who gave her hand in marriage to John Pepper Jr. The father was a farmer throughout his entire life. The year 1851 witnessed his arrival in Iowa, at which time he settled in Appanoose county. For a long period he engaged in the tilling of the soil but is now located at Ottumwa, where he has lived retired for the past ten years. His wife who is now deceased, was a member of the Methodist church and he attends its services. In their family were nine children : Myra, the wife of Frank Weller, of Mitchell, South Dakota ; Ben S., of Ottumwa, Iowa ; Hattie, wife of Frank Minthorn, of Woodville Oregon ; Alice, the widow of M. M. Harbaugh, of Kansas City, Missouri ; Edward L., of Milton, Kansas ; Nell P., the widow of Mauritz Liden, of Goldfield, Iowa ; Dr. John L., also of Goldfield ; Bertha E., who wedded O. W. Pratt, of Kansas City, Missouri ; and Irvin S., of this review.
The last named was reared upon a farm in his native county and at the usual age began his education as a pupil in the country schools. Subsequently he attended the Southern Normal College at Bloomfield, from which he was graduated in 1897. He then taught school for five years in Muscatine county and subsequently went to Washington, D. C., as private secretary to Judge Wade, with whom he was thus associated for two years. While in the national capital he studied law in the George Washington University and was graduated with the class of 1905, being president of his class during his senior year. The same year he was admitted to practice in the courts of Iowa and has since followed his profession in Muscatine. He at first became a partner in the firm of Carskadden, Burk & Pepper. In 1906 Mr. Pepper was elected to the office of county attorney and in the fall of 1908 was re-elected for a two years' term. In June 1910, he received the nomination of the democratic party for congress in the second congressional district and was elected by a large majority over his opponent, Charles Grilk, of Davenport, and is now in attendance upon his dutues at the National capital. He is regarded as one of the leaders of his party in this locality, his opinions carrying weight in its councils. Fraternally he is connected with Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M.; and De Molay Commandery, No. 1, K. T. He likewise belongs to Eagle Lodge, No. 10, A. O. U. W., and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. A social, genial nature wins him many friends but he never allows outside interests to interfere with the duties of his profession. His practice is now extensive and of an important character and with thorough grasp of the law and ability tp accurately apply its principles, he has become an effective advocate and safe counselor.
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