Cherokee County Business History |
Cherokee County Business History |
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Legal Professions |
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Legal Profession Had Beginning Back In 1869
Men who are associated with the legal profession are generally leaders in the society of any community and more often they are men who shape the legal enactments which afford us the freedom and equal rights which we enjoy. Invariably, our great statesmen and law-makers have been students of Blackstone and well-versed in both common and International laws. Laws undergo ever-changing processes because they must of necessity meet the new needs of progressive people. The good lawyer must be able to formulate practicable laws which can be applied to the times and the exigencies which he must encounter serve merely as fond for his individuality and ability. A lawyer is in one sense a debtor to his profession for, if he is worthy, his remuneration will be most satisfying. The Bar of Cherokee County has numbered many brilliant and successful native sons among its members, some that have attained higher than local or even state prominence. There appears to be some controversy as to who was the first practicing attorney in this county but the honor is quite commonly accorded to H. C. Kellogg, who located here in 1869. Some, however, claim that C.S. Conant preceded Mr. Kellogg, although he was here but briefly, having stayed only during the location of the homesteaders, for the purpose of filing their applications. Be this as it may, H. C. Kellogg opened his office in Old Cherokee and shortly thereafter he took Charles H. Lewis, his son-in-law, into partnership. Both these gentlemen came from Buchanan County, originally and before long the firm of Kellogg & Lewis became a strong one in northwest Iowa. Mr. Kellogg was better known as an orator with a keen sense of what was just than he was a student of law. He was an independent political thinker, leaning toward republicanism. Like others, who have followed, he made many warm friends as well as some bitter enemies, both in and out of court. In 1875, Charles H. Lewis was elevated to a judgeship in the district court, on which bench he served for many years. He tried many noted cases and soon achieved success as a competent man in his field. At this point, E. C. Herrick entered the firm of Mr. Kellogg, he being an ardent master of briefs, as well as a close student of the written law. The legal concern flourished under these two men and their combined abilities. Their partnership continued until 1886, when Mr. Kellogg retired. Mr. Herrick continued the practice alone until 1904 when he was joined by his son, Karl, changing the firm name to Herrick and Herrick. Eugene Cowles located here in spring of 1870. Quarters in an implement store served as his first office and he could often be seen writing with his paper resting on a sack of flour while his client stood by, waiting. Mr. Cowles was a brilliant man and his practice soon grew until when the First National Bank was built, he rented commodious rooms in that building. He became well-known and loved for his geniality and generosity, as well as for being a keen lawyer. His sudden death in 1880, at the age of forty-five, grieved the whole community and the bar association. Also establishing himself in 1870 was Charles Golds bury, an educated man who unfortunately possessed eccentricities which hindered his legal career. Classed among the pioneer attorneys of our community was J.D. F. Smith who also located here in 1870, attaining an extensive practice. The last of the many lawyers appearing in 1870 was Melanethon Wakefield who must be mentioned with the first members of the bar in this county. His career as a conscientious attorney and prominent citizen was a long and honorable one. He served the people in the capacities of town recorder, mayor and city attorney, during his day, besides being an arduous promoter of all public enterprises for the good of the community. Many other lawyers followed and some left commendable records which will be long remembered but space limits the mention of all these and their achievements. However, it might be well to mention some of the better-known names which have been recorded in our county histories, up to 1900. That of McCulla is certainly familiar as are Meservey, Molyneux, Maher, Bloom, Foster, Metcalf, Miller, Mulvaney, Hornbrook, Gillette and numerous others. Today, the legal profession encompasses every thinkable line of endeavor in its orbit of services; besides big business, taxation systems, real estate and insurance companies, to mention a few, the most important service is that rendered to the layman in a multitude of matters. Source: The Cherokee Daily Times, Cherokee, Iowa 30 May 1956, pg. 67 |
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