West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
LEGAL PROFESSION in WEST LIBERTY

So far as the memory of man and meager records can tell, the first man to hang out his shingle as a lawyer for the people of West Liberty and the surrounding countryside was Freeman Alger. He was born in New York state Feb. 21, 1808. When a young man he migrated from New York to Ohio and then to Iowa. It is thought that he came to West Liberty in the 1840's.

Needless to say the services of a full time lawyer for the few scattered settlers here then was not required, and so Freeman Alger was first and primarily a farmer; living about a mile north of town. However, if his neighbors needed legal advice they went to see him and he guided them through their difficulties in a creditable manner. In 1858 he served in the state legislature at Des Moines where his counsel and advice were often sought. Farmer, lawyer, statesman,---that was Freeman Alger, a typical example of the versatility, breadth and character required of our early pioneers. It is thought that he died in the 1860's.

Hezikiah Pirson Alger, son of Freeman Alger, was admitted to the bar and practiced law in West Liberty a few years. He died in 1858 at the age of twenty-five.

J. H. Bane was the next legal representative to appear in West Liberty. It is thought that he came from Kansas in about the year 1870 and practiced law here for about ten years.

J. Loring Brooke began the practice of law in West Liberty in 1874 and K. O. Holmes came in about 1878. Holmes and Brooke formed a partnership and practiced law together for a few years. Holmes later moved to Creston, Iowa, and then to Kearny, Nebraska, where he became a very successful lawyer. J. Loring Brooke had many other interests in the small and growing community to which he devoted a part of his time, aside from the practice of law. For a time he was interested in the cattle business and later in the banking business where he served as president of the old Peoples State Bank. He served as mayor of West Liberty for one term and practiced law intermittantly up until the time of his death in 1902.

E. M. Warner came to West Liberty in about 1844 and practiced law here for six years, during which time he was elected county attorney. He moved to Muscatine in 1890 where he became one of the outstanding trial lawyers of the county.

C. A. W. Kent came to West Liberty and started the practice of law here in about 1884. He left in 1892, moving to Muscatine where he practiced until the time of his death.

Laurence Swem, a jeweler, was admitted to the bar, but never practiced.

E. C. Nichols opened a law office here in about 1889. He enjoyed a successful practice here but left in 1917 to go to Muscatine where he became affiliated with the firm of Nichols, Tipton & Tipton. He practiced law in Muscatine until the time of his death in 1934.

J. E. McIntosh began his practice in West Liberty in 1895. He served as mayor of West Liberty for fourteen years and in the legislature for two terms from 1926 ro 1930. Mr. McIntosh has practiced law in West Liberty for forty-three years and is still actively engaged in the practice.

Robert Brooke, son of J. Loring Brooke, succeeded his father in the law business in West Liberty. He opened his office in 1900 and is still engaged in the practice.

Porter P. Black was admitted to the bar about twenty years ago, but has never practiced law in West Liberty. He is now a resident of West Liberty.

A. S. Engbretson, who came to West LIberty in 1918, was admitted to the Iowa Bar but never practiced.

Dorothy Gramdjean, while serving as a secretary for Robert Brooke, studied law privately in his office and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1934. She is now living in Madison, Wisconsin.

The newest member of the West Liberty Bar is Harold O. Keele who started his practice here in 1936.

Don Barnes, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Barnes of West Liberty, was born here in 1875 and was admitted to the Iowa Bar in 1900. He is now a member of the firm of Barnes, Chamberlain and Hanzlik of Cedar Rapids where he has made an outstanding success of his profession.

Horace E. Deemer was born in West Liberty in about 1867. He was admitted to the bar and started in his practice in Red Oak. There he was soon elevated to the District Bench and later to the Supreme Court of Iowa, and not infrequently was he mentioned for the Supreme Bench of the United States. He was the author of several treatises on the law and was known as one of the leading scholars in the state.

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