An active man in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly was the Hon. J. F. Lavender, of Rockwell City, Calhoun county. By reason of his efficiency in legislative matters, and his popularity as a politician, Mr. Lavender is returned to the house this winter by the republicans of his district. He is a native of New Hampshire, born in Rochester, March 24, 1851. The family left New England in 1863, coming to Iowa, and locating at Davenport, where they lived three years, then moved to a farm near Brooklyn. Mr. Lavender received his early education in the schools of Rochester and eastern Iowa, with a year in the Agricultural college at Ames. He taught school in Davenport, and read law in the offices of Cook, Richman & Bruning for five years, from 1870 to 1875. In 1875 he was elected principal of the schools of Le Claire, which position he occupied three years. From there he went to Cordova, Ill., to fill a similar position in the school of that place. In the summer of 1880 he went to Minneapolis, where he took a legal examination and was admitted to the practice of law. He located in Rockwell in 1881, which place has since been his home, and where he has successfully practiced law continuously, with the exception of the years from 1886 to 1890. He was elected county superintendent of schools of Calhoun county in 1886, and served in that capacity two terms. At the close of the second term he formed a law partnership with E. C. Stevenson, which partnership still exists. Mr. Lavender was married to Miss Mary Davidson in Le Claire, December 20, 1876. They have six children, three boys and three girls. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church, and Mr. Lavender is identified with all the York Masonry, and the Shrine, A. O. U. W. and Modern Woodmen. Two years ago he served on the following committees: Code, judiciary, school and textbooks, building and loan, private corporations, Agricultural college, and rules. His name has been prominently mentioned as candidate for speaker for the coming session. His work in the house was characterized by the same unswerving faithfulness that has made his business life a success.

The man to represent Calhoun county in the House this winter is the Hon. J. E. Lavender of Rockwell City. He is a man who has had an active and busy life thus far. and will carry into his Legislative work the same energy that has characterized his business career thus far. Born in Rochester, New Hampshire, March 24, 1851, he lived with his parents until the spring of 1870. The family left New England in 1863, spent three years at Davenport, finally settled on a farm near Brooklyn, where the father died in 1892, and where the mother still resides. Mr. Lavender attended the schools at Rochester. On coming to Iowa he attended the Davenport schools, and later spent a year at the State Agricultural College. From 1870 to 1875 he was in Davenport putting in the time teaching school, studying and reading law in the office of Cook, Richman & Pruning during vacations. In 1875 he was elected principal of the schools of Le Claire, Iowa. After three years of service there he was elected to the principal-ship of the schools of Cordova, Illinois. All this time he continued his law studies. In the summer of 1880 he went to Minneapolis, took an examination and was admitted to the bar. Returning to Davenport, he worked for a year in the office of Brown & Campbell. His next move was to Rockwell City, where he has since remained. In 1885, finding his health impaired by confinement of office work, he became a candidate for the position of county superintendent of schools, to which place he was elected twice. At the close of his second term he formed a law partnership with E. C. Stevenson, and the firm of Stevenson & Lavender still exists. During his service in the schools at Le Claire he was married to Miss Mary Davisson. They have five children, Fannie Slade, aged 11; Fabius Clarke, 8; Robert Alfred, 6; James Blaine, 4, and an infant daughter. He is a member of the following lodges: Rose Croix Commandery, No. 38, K. T., Sac City; El Kabir Temple Mystic Shriners. Cedar Rapids; Rockwell City Lodge No. 529, I. O. O. F., Forest Lodge 238, A. O. U. W., Lincoln Camp No. 2522, Modern Woodmen of America. By reason of his varied experience he will make a valuable member of the House.