Dallas County IA Archives Biographies.....North, T. R. 1838 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net//copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net//ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 25, 2007, 12:32 am Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1896) T. R. NORTH.-This gentleman is a prominent member of the Iowa bar, characterized by great versatility of talent and exactness and thoroughness in all his attainments. His excellent general information, combined with his thorough knowledge of the law, has given him.a prominence at the bar that is seldom equaled, and his superior business ability along other lines has placed him in a position among the wealthy men of Dallas county. He is now living in the village of Adel, but is widely known throughout the State, having been specially prominent in political affairs. Mr. North was born in Union county, Ohio, June 23, 1838, and is a son of Joseph North. When he was a small boy the family moved to Delaware county, Ohio, and in 1851 they removed to Clayton county, Iowa, and the following year to Elkhart county, Indiana. He was educated in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen began teaching, and followed that profession for some years, during the winter season. For two summers he worked at the carpenter's trade, after which he learned the cooper's trade, following it for a few years. In 1862 he took up the study of law with a brother in Indiana, and was also under the direction of Judge E. V. Long, of Warsaw, Indiana, until the latter part of that year, when he responded to the country's call for troops. On October 6, 1862, Mr. North enlisted in Company K, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, under Captain E. L. Billings. He served with that company until August 3, 1863, when he was discharged. He participated in various skirmishes and engagements with his regiment, and took part in the battle of Stone River, after which he was confined in the hospital for several weeks, and was in the convalescent camp for a few weeks. He was discharged for some time ere he was aware of the fact, for the papers had been captured by the Rebels. On being mustered out of service he returned to his home, and in 1864 came to Iowa, having since been identified with the history of this State. In May of that year Mr. North was admitted to the bar with the privilege of practicing in the Supreme Court of the State, and the following year was admitted to practice before the District and Circuit Courts of the United States. On the 16th of June, 1864, he became a resident of Adel, and entered into partnership with Hon. E. Willard, the connection continuing with only a slight break for twelve years, or until 1876, they successfully engaging in the general practice of law. Mr. North was then alone in business until November, of that year, when he formed a partnership with D. W. Woodin, which continued for two years. After two years spent alone the firm of North & Barr existed for four years, and the former was then alone for a year, when he entered into partnership with Mr. Edmund Nichols, the connection continuing for four years. Later he formed a business relation with Mr. Ish. Through all these years he has maintained a large general law practice, and his power before judge and jury is strongly felt and widely recognized. He possesses a keen, analytical mind and his analysis of a case is thorough and exhausting, while at the same time he condenses his evidence into a clear, concise statement which leaves none in doubt as to his position. He makes each point bear with full weight on a question to be considered and never loses sight of the important facts on which the decision of a case finally turns. Mr. North has been married three times. In May, 1858, he wedded Miss Frances E. Whittaker, who was born in Indiana in 1842 and died in 1862, leaving a daughter,-Sarah M.,-who is now married and has three children. On the 31st of December, 1864, he wedded Miss Naomi E. Stewart, who was born in Illinois in 1848, and died in Oregon, in 1888. The children of this marriage are Etta; Austin, who is married and lives in Billings, Montana; "J," who is married and resides in Oregon; Alice, Jo and Oto. On the 19th of February, 1890, Mr. North wedded Laura B. Abbott, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1867, and comes of a prominent family of Ohio. A daughter, Ava, was born of this union. Mrs. North is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and presides with grace over her pleasant home and makes it noted for its hospitality. Mr. North has given his political support to the Democracy since casting his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, and is a recognized leader in party circles. He has been a delegate to various State conventions, was a member of the State central committee, and in 1884 was a delegate to the national convention. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of Colonel Mills Post, No. 45, G. A. R. He served as its first Commander and filled that position, for two terms. In connection with his fine law practice, Mr. North has been active and prominent in commercial circles. In 1866 he embarked in the hardware business in Adel, and in 1869 established the first store in Dallas Center. In 1876 he sold his mercantile interests and began dealing largely in real estate, which has been to him a profitable undertaking. He owns two valuable farms,-one comprising 82 acres, -and also has a home and plantation in Louisiana, where he frequently spends the winter. The land is rented, but in that delightful southern abode, which is only forty miles from the gulf coast, he frequently passes the winter months. His success seems almost phenomenal, yet it has come to him entirely through his own efforts. He started out in life a poor boy with his own way to make in the world. He not only took advantage of the opportunities that surrounded him but created opportunities as well, and, following an honorable business course, he has surmounted the difficulties in his path and has reached the goal of prosperity. Additional Comments: Extracted from: A MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF IOWA ILLUSTRATED "A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."'—MACAULAY. "Biography is by nature the must universally profitable, universally pleasant, of all things."—CARLYLE "History is only biography on a large scale"—LAMARTINE. CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1896 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ia/dallas/bios/north181gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 6.9 Kb