R. C. POSTON
R.
C. Poston has for over twenty years practiced law in Corydon
and in that time has built up a large and gratifying practice. Moreover, he has
attained prominence in other lines and at present fills an
executive position in connection with the Farmers &
Merchants State Bank and also has faithfully served the people
in public office. Mr.
Poston was born in Wapello county, Iowa, February 21, 1855,
and is a son of Nimrod and Catherine (Gilliland) Poston, the
former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The grandfather of
our subject was Alexander Poston, of Virginia, and a gentleman
of English descent, several of whose ancestors had fought in
the revolutionary war. Alexander
Poston came to Iowa during the early pioneer days, in 1847,
and settled in Wapello county, where he homesteaded government
land. The
Gilliland family came to Iowa two years before this, in 1845,
and it was here that the parents of our subject were married. The Poston’s, in
making their way to the west, came by steamboat by way of the
Ohio and the Mississippi rivers, but the mother’s people came
in the typical pioneer style—by ox team and wagon. Nimrod Poston
farmed in Wapello county during all his life, attaining
success along agricultural lines, and here he lived until his
death. He not
only became a prosperous farmer but was also prominent in
public life, being elected as a member of the fifth general
assembly from Wapello county.
R. C. Poston was educated in the public schools and in 1870 came to Wayne county. His mother had died when he was a boy of only thirteen years and ever since that time he was compelled to make his own way in the world. From his small earnings he saved as much money as he could and by teaching school and carefully husbanding his resources he was able to attend the State University, from which he graduated in 1882. After he had received his degree and was admitted to the bar he began to practice at Humeston, Iowa, where he remained until 1891, when he came to Corydon, where he has since successfully followed his profession. He occupies a creditable and enviable position at the Wayne county bar, for he prepares his cases with great thoroughness and skill and presents them clearly and forcibly, so that he never fails to command the attention of court or jury and often obtains the verdict which he desires. His reasoning is logical, his deductions sound and he is seldom surprised by an unexpected attack of opposing counsel. Entirely free from ostentation and display, he impresses by the simple weight of his character, his knowledge and his sincerity.
In
1882 Mr. Poston was married to Miss Clare A. Williams, a
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Uriah Williams, of Warren county,
Iowa, who had removed there from Virginia originally. Mr. and Mrs. Poston
have one son, Eugene E., who is a graduate of the liberal arts
and law departments of Drake University and is now living at
home.
Mr. Poston is a public-spirited man and takes great interest in the growth and development of the city and the locality in which he lives. He has been honored with public office, and he was called upon to serve as county attorney from 1895 to 1897, fulfilling his duties in an energetic manner, which was entirely satisfactory to his constituents. Outside of his legal interests Mr. Poston has become prominent in financial circles of Corydon as president of the Farmers & Merchants Bank and by his wise guidance in this office he has greatly influenced the development of this important financial institution. His fraternal relations are with the Masonic order, in which he holds membership in the blue lodge, of which he has been master for several years, and the commandery, while he also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He has made a creditable record in the profession, his course being marked by steady progress, gained through ready utilization of every opportunity that has presented itself, and his industry and energy have found substantial reward in a most gratifying degree of prosperity.