Representative Robert Thomas St. John View All Years

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Robert Thomas St. John

Mitchell County

A Union soldier and faithful official represents Mitchell county in the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly. Robert T. St. John is an old resident of Mitchell county, and everyone who has heard of him has the utmost confidence in his ability and integrity. He was born July 14, 1846, at Elizabeth, Jo Davies county, Illinois, and spent part of his childhood there. He came to the farm near Riceville in 1859, where he has ever since made his home. He received a liberal education in the common schools and the Cedar Valley Seminary. When but a lad of 16, his patriotism led him to offer his services in defense of his country. He was a member of company A, 7th Illinois cavalry, and was mustered out in October, 1866, married soon after and settled on a farm. After holding several different positions of public trust, he consented to accept the office of constable and while holding that office did some very clever detective work and succeeded in breaking up several hard gangs. This brought him into prominence as excellent material for the sheriff's office, and in the fall of 1881, he was elected Sheriff and was continued in that office for four terms by large majorities, regardless of political differences. He gained an enviable record and was elected President of the Iowa Sheriff's Association in 1877. In secret societies his affiliations are the Knight Templars, Odd Fellows and Grand Army of the Republic. He is a Congregational churchman. In the legislature he will pay special attention to temperance, agriculture, good roads, taxation and compensation of public offices, which subjects have been more forcibly called to his attention than any others. Mitchell county people have every confidence in him and are sure his record this winter will be one of which any man can be proud.

House District 90