Representative Robert Thomas St. John View All Years
This photograph is provided for official informational purposes only. The image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, or otherwise used without prior written authorization from the Iowa General Assembly.
Requests for permission to use this image must be submitted to the Chief Clerk of the House for House members or the Secretary of the Senate for Senate members.
Robert Thomas St. John
Mitchell County
A Union soldier and faithful official represents Mitchell county in the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth General Assembly. Robert T. St. John, of Rice, 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 Daviess 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 five terms by large majorities, regardless of political differences. He gained an enviable record and was elected president of the Iowa Sheriffs' 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 officers, which subjects have been more forcibly called to his attention than any others. Mr. St. John was one of the most influential members of the last General Assembly. He did effective work both on the floor and in the committees. He was chairman of the committee on compensation of public officers, and served as a member of the committees on schools and textbooks, normal schools, agriculture, telegraphs, telephones and express, institution for feeble minded- The people of his district indorsed his record by renominating him by acclamation at the last county convention and electing him by a majority far in the lead of the state ticket. He was ahead of the ticket in almost every voting precinct in the district.
Print
Permanent Link