Representative Lucian Lester Ainsworth View All Years

LUCIEN L. AINSWORTH was born in New Woodstock, New York, June 21, 1831; he died in West Union, Fayette county, Iowa, April 19, 1902. Mr. Ainsworth received his education in the public schools of New York and the Oneida Conference seminary at Cazenovia, N. Y. Studying law, he was admitted to the bar in Madison county, N. Y., in 1854. In 1855 he came to Belvidere, Ill., whence after a few months of practice he removed to West Union, which was afterwards his home. During the civil war he recruited a company and was commissioned captain of Co. C, 6th Iowa Cavalry, Jan. 31, 1863. He took part during the following year in the campaign against the Indians, and was mustered out with his regiment at Sioux City, Oct. 7, 1865. He was elected to the State senate in 1859, where he served four years. As a member of the judiciary committee he bore an important part in the revision of the laws. In 1871 he was chosen a representative in the 14th general assembly, where he again served on the judiciary committee which prepared the Code of 1873. The following year he was elected to congress from the Third Iowa district, serving one term, declining a renomination. Mr. Ainsworth was well known throughout the State as an able lawyer, a genial, excellent gentleman, and a man of many friends.