For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 109
EDWARD MUNSON WARNER. Edward Munson Warner, who in his professional career has given proof of his ability to cope with the intricate and involved problems of law, has practiced continuously in Muscatine since 1891. While his devotion to his clients interests is proverbial he never forgets that he holds a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law and is never unmindful of the fact that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self-respect and above all to justice, which neither the zeal of the advocate nor the pleasure of sucess permits him to disregard. Throughout his entire life he has been a resident of Iowa, his birth having occurred near Bellevue, Jackson county, November 18, 1858. Comparatively little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family, owing to the early death of the paternal grandfather, David Warner, who passed away in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, where he was following the occupation of farming. His widow long survived him and reared their family of ten children.This number included Paul Warner, who was born in the Keystone state and in his youth learned and followed the tanner's trade, but in early manhood took up the occupation of farming, to which he ever devoted his energies. In 1852 he came westward to Jackson county, Iowa, and in 1861 removed to Jones county. He died there in 1901 in his seventy-sixth year. He had for four decades been a representative farmer of that community and his well directed labors brought him success in the business which he chose as a life work. He held membership in the Presbyterian church, of which his widow is yet a member. Mrs. Warner bore the maiden name of Mary A. Hanna, and was also a native of Pennsylvania. Her father, Edward Hanna, was born in the Keystone state, was of Scotch-Irish descent and was a farmer by occupation. He was twice married and lived to an old age. Mrs. Warner now makes her home in Monticello, Iowa. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons and three daughters, namely: Alicia, the wife of Robert Clark, of Scotch Grove, Iowa; Sarah J., of Monticello, Iowa; Edward., of this review; Henry F., also of Monticello; Mary E., who died at the age of sixteen years; and William B., of Scotch Grove.
Edward Munson Warner was reared upon a farm in Jones county, Iowa, and the district schools provided him with his educational privileges up to the time when he entered Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He then taught school for one term and afterward studied law in the office of the Hon. F. O. Ellison, now judge of the district court in Cedar Rapids. On the 11th of May, 1884, he was admitted to the bar and the following year opened an office in West Liberty, Iowa, where he engaged in practice until 1891. For nineteen years, however, he has been a member of the Muscatine bar and is now accorded an extensive and representative clientage. He has gained a high place in his profession and with a deep knowledge of human nature and the springs of human conduct, with great shrewdness and sagacity and extraordinary tact he is in the courts an advocate of great power and influence. Both judges and juries always hear him with attention and deep interest.
On the 23d of January, 1883, Mr. Warner was married to Miss Jennie S. Belden, a daughter of Thomas and Susan ( Carter ) Belden. Mrs. Warner is a native of Hopkinton, Delaware county, Iowa as was her mother. Her father, however, was born in New York and became one of the early settlers of Delaware county. He died, however, while his daughter was an infant. Mrs. Belden long survived, passing away in November, 1904, when about seventy years of age. By her first marriage she had two children, Thomas L., and Jennie S. After the death of her first husband she became the wife of Rev.S. H. Merrill, and they had one son, Horatio Merrill. Mrs. Belden was the daughter of H. A. Carter, a New England farmer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warner have been born two children: Mabel E. and Charles Paul.
The parents are members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Warner is serving as a trustee. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias, the Elks, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen, and in all of these organizations he is regarded as a valued as well as a popular representative. In politics he is an independent democrat. He served as county attorney for two terms, beginning in 1891, and for one term he was mayor of West Liberty. His official duties have been discharged with a singleness of purpose that has greatly promoted the public welfare. He prefers, however, to concentrate his energies upon his law practice, which he regards as abundantly worthy of his best efforts. He is faithful to every interest committed to his care and while at times his presentation of his case is marked by a persuasive eloquence, his arguments are based upon the facts in the case and the law applicable to them. In this he displays a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence.
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