of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, pages 371-373
STEPHEN WHICHER. Stephen Whicher came to Muscatine from Dayton, Ohio, April 3, 1839. He was born in Rochester, Vermont, and at the age of eighteen "came west" and taught school in Lexington, Kentucky. There he studied law in the office of the great statesman, Henry Clay, and later studied at Lawrenceburg, Indiana. He was admitted to the bar in 1823 and moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he was married. At the time he came to Bloomington his family consisted of three sons and one daughter. Judge Whicher in stature was six feet and one inch, slim and dignified. He usually wore a tall hat that added to his height and dignity very much in the estimation of his neighbors. In his day he had no superior as a lawyer but could not have been considered a good business man. He always managed to have a comfortable living, but never became what would be called wealthy. He was one of the leading men of his day in this section. At public meetings he was usually president or chairman on resolutions. Sunday would always find him in his seat at the little church on the hill. He was noted for his wit. His witty sayings are still remembered among the old men of the community now living.
One story told of him is to the effect that in early times, as is well known, steamboats on the Mississippi river carried bars and were said to have the best of liquors. At that time drinking was practiced by almost every one. When a steam boat landed, a score or more of thirsty men could be seen rushing aboard the boat--sometimes Mr. Whicher among them. He rarely drank much, but once when he wanted a drink and seeing a large number going to the steamer, he concluded to go also. Reaching the barroom of the boat, he asked the dispenser of liquors if he had any good brandy. The barkeeper directly responded that he had. "Have you a tablespoon?" asked Mr. Whicher. "No, but I will get you one," answered the barkeeper. When the spoon was procured Mr. Whicher held it over his glass and commenced to pour the brandy into the spoon, continuing to do so until the glass was sufficiently full to meet his requirements. He then straightened up and drank it all down. With the question to the barkeeper, "How much is the charge, sir?" "Nothing," was the reply. "I never charge anything for a spoonful of brandy." Mr. Whicher left the boat amid the roar and laughter of the bystanders. After that a large measure of rum became synonymous with Whicher's spoonful.
Mr. Whicher was absolutely fearless, and when he took a case he stayed by his client through thick and thin. As an advocate he stood at the head of the bar and his best success was with the jury. If his case was a doubtful one, like Lincoln, he got the jury to laughing before closing his arguments. If he could not reach that point, he would tell an amusing story.
When the Missouri war broke out in the winter of 1839-40, when the armies of Iowa and Missouri were marched to deadly combat, Governor Lucas appointed Mr. Whicher as one of the commissioners to arrange terms of peace, which was done by agreement to submit the question at issue to congress for settlement. When the whigs got control of the government by the election of Taylor and Fillmore, Mr. Whicher was appointed United States district attorney for Iowa by President Fillmore.
When Mr. Whicher came to Muscatine he found but two practicing attorneys--S. C. Hastings and J. Scott Richman, both since prominent on the bench. They rode the circuit together and were usually pitted against each other in the courts. They developed remarkable ability, winning the highest honors in the courts of the territory and state. Judge Whicher was a talented and eminent lawyer, the peer of any in Iowa. He was remarkable as a special pleader and was an acknowledged leader of the bar. He was of rugged honesty and integrity, upright and steadfast in his devotion to duty, and commanded the confidence and respect of all with whom he came in contact. He was of strong determination and great force of character. He had been a deep student and possessed mental faculties of a high order. His knowledge of the law was wide in its scope and accurate in its conclusions, and his opinions were always quoted with confidence.
Stephen Whicher died February 13, 1856, at Iowa City. His wife died in Cincinnati at the home of her daughter, in May, 1880. Both these pioneers died outside of Muscatine, but their remains were brought here for interment.
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