Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Cornell, Seneca 1858 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 30, 2013, 12:54 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

SENECA CORNELL.

Seneca Cornell is engaged in the general practice of law in Ottumwa, having been
representative of the bar of this state for thirty-two years. His professional
career has been characterized by continuous progress, and he has also won high
honors and distinction in political circles. His birth occurred in Jefferson
county, Iowa, March 12, 1858, his parents being Washington and Sarah (Wilson)
Cornell. The father was a native of Warren county, Ohio, and was of English
lineage, his ancestors having come from England to the new world, at which time
settlement was made first in Canada. After living for a time in Warren county,
Ohio, Washington Cornell came with his family to Iowa in 1849, making the
journey across the country in a covered wagon. They were en route for
California, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope, but one of
their children was taken ill and by reason thereof they stopped in Jefferson
county, Iowa. Pleased with the country and its prospects, they decided to
remain, and Mr. Cornell there successfully engaged in farming for a number of
years, but eventually retired and established his home in Fairfield, where both
he and his wife spent their remaining days. They were the parents of five sons
and two daughters, all of whom are yet living.

Seneca Cornell, who was the third in order of birth in the family of seven
children, was reared upon the home farm in Jefferson county and supplemented his
district-school education by study in Parson's College at Fairfield, but had to
put away his text-books when twenty years of age owing to the temporary failure
of his eyesight. When he had recovered sufficiently to resume his studies he
began reading law with Hon. James F. Wilson, a United States senator, at
Fairfield, and was there admitted to the bar in 1882. He then began the practice
of law in Eldon, where he remained for nine years, and in 1891 came to his
present office in the Odd Fellows building in Ottumwa, where he has since been
located. He conducts a general law practice and is thoroughly well informed upon
many departments of jurisprudence. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness
and care, presents his cause clearly and cogently and his logical deductions and
correct application of all principles to the points in litigation have been the
source of his effectiveness as an advocate.

Mr. Cornell has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of
franchise, and while living in Eldon he served as mayor of the city. He has
always taken an active and helpful part in politics and is now a member of the
congressional committee of the sixth district and is a candidate for the
nomination for district judge. He was elected on the democratic ticket to the
office of county attorney for six years and made an excellent record in that
capacity, his course winning him much favorable comment, especially the able way
in which he handled the John W. Junkins case, the defendant being afterward
hung. While acting as county attorney Mr. Cornell was honored by election to the
position of president of the State Association of County Attorneys. Steadily he
has advanced in a profession where progress depends entirely upon individual
merit, and, working his way upward, he is today recognized as one of the
prominent lawyers not only of Ottumwa, but of his section of the state.

In 1885 Mr. Cornell was united in marriage to Miss Clara E. Caster, a native of
Ottumwa, and a daughter of Dr. Paul Caster, one of the well known residents of
this city. They have a son, Rolla Washington. Fraternally, Mr. Cornell is
connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum, the Ancient Order of
United Workmen and has been very prominent in the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows. He has been a member of the grand lodge and has been a colonel of the
military rank of Odd Fellows. He is also one of the three trustees of the Odd
Fellows Children's and Old Folks' Home at Mason City, and has been most active
in promoting the work of the order, which is founded upon the spirit of
helpfulness, and which inculcates high ideals of manhood. His life along many
lines has proven one of usefulness and worth, and the majority of those who know
Seneca Cornell entertain for him warm regard and respect.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914

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