Born in White County, Illinois, August 28, 1839. His father removed with his family to Monroe County, Iowa, in 1846, where the son attended the public schools. Going to Keokuk he learned the printer's trade after which he taught school. He then studied law with George W. McCrary and was admitted to the bar of Bloomfield in 1862. He soon after enlisted in Company F, Thirtieth Iowa Volunteers, which was attached to the Fifteenth Army Corps. The regiment participated in the battles of Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, Siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, besides many minor engagements. Mr. Traverse was discharged at the expiration of three years, with the rank of orderly sergeant. He returned to Bloomfield, resuming the practice of law, and in 1867 was elected to the State Senate, serving in the Twelfth and Thirteenth General Assemblies. In 1879 he was again elected to the Senate, serving but one session when he was elected judge of the Second Judicial District. He held this position by reelections for fourteen years.

Born in White County, Illinois, August 28, 1839. His father removed with his family to Monroe County, Iowa, in 1846, where the son attended the public schools. Going to Keokuk he learned the printer's trade after which he taught school. He then studied law with George W. McCrary and was admitted to the bar of Bloomfield in 1862. He soon after enlisted in Company F, Thirtieth Iowa Volunteers, which was attached to the Fifteenth Army Corps. The regiment participated in the battles of Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, Siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, besides many minor engagements. Mr. Traverse was discharged at the expiration of three years, with the rank of orderly sergeant. He returned to Bloomfield, resuming the practice of law, and in 1867 was elected to the State Senate, serving in the Twelfth and Thirteenth General Assemblies. In 1879 he was again elected to the Senate, serving but one session when he was elected judge of the Second Judicial District. He held this position by reelections for fourteen years.

Born in White County, Illinois, August 28, 1839. His father removed with his family to Monroe County, Iowa, in 1846, where the son attended the public schools. Going to Keokuk he learned the printer's trade after which he taught school. He then studied law with George W. McCrary and was admitted to the bar of Bloomfield in 1862. He soon after enlisted in Company F, Thirtieth Iowa Volunteers, which was attached to the Fifteenth Army Corps. The regiment participated in the battles of Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, Siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, besides many minor engagements. Mr. Traverse was discharged at the expiration of three years, with the rank of orderly sergeant. He returned to Bloomfield, resuming the practice of law, and in 1867 was elected to the State Senate, serving in the Twelfth and Thirteenth General Assemblies. In 1879 he was again elected to the Senate, serving but one session when he was elected judge of the Second Judicial District. He held this position by reelections for fourteen years.

Born in White County, Illinois, August 28, 1839. His father removed with his family to Monroe County, Iowa, in 1846, where the son attended the public schools. Going to Keokuk he learned the printer's trade after which he taught school. He then studied law with George W. McCrary and was admitted to the bar of Bloomfield in 1862. He soon after enlisted in Company F, Thirtieth Iowa Volunteers, which was attached to the Fifteenth Army Corps. The regiment participated in the battles of Haines Bluff, Arkansas Post, Siege of Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, besides many minor engagements. Mr. Traverse was discharged at the expiration of three years, with the rank of orderly sergeant. He returned to Bloomfield, resuming the practice of law, and in 1867 was elected to the State Senate, serving in the Twelfth and Thirteenth General Assemblies. In 1879 he was again elected to the Senate, serving but one session when he was elected judge of the Second Judicial District. He held this position by reelections for fourteen years.