History of Garner, (Hancock County) Iowa United States of America

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John E. Wichman, of Garner, is one of the most prominent lawyers and politicians of Hancock county, and has a wide acquaintance in northern Iowa. His ancestors were Germans, both his parents, Frederick and Eliza (Kemler) Wichman, having been born in the town of Bremerhaven, in the province of Hanover, Germany. They emigrated to this country in 1843 and settled at Galena, Ill., in 1844. The father was a miner and always lived in the humblest circumstances.

J. E. Wichman was born April 16, 1859, at Galena, Ill., where he grew to manhood, obtaining his early education in the public schools of that city. After finishing the public schools he entered the Northwestern German-English college, an institution owned by the German Methodist church, which was then situated at Galena, but has since been removed to Charles City, Iowa. He graduated from the normal department of this school in 1876. While in college he was a member of the Washington Literary society, and of the Teutonic, a German literary society. After graduation he taught school, and in 1881 came to Iowa, settling near Garner, in Hancock county, where he worked on a farm during the summer and taught school during the rest of the year. He commenced the study of law at Garner in the spring of 1882, in the office of A. C. Ripley, remaining with him a year and then pursuing his studies in the office of H. H. Bush, of the same town. He was admitted to the bar in July, 1884, at Charles City, Judge Granger, now of the supreme court, presiding. While studying law Mr. Wichman was obliged to continue working on the farm during the summer in order to provide himself with the means for carrying out his plans. After his admission to the bar he formed a partnership with Henry H. Bush, of Garner, which was continued nearly six years, being dissolved January 1, 1890, since which time Mr. Wichman has been practicing alone. In addition to his law business he has loaned money extensively, and has taken a prominent part in other financial interests of the county. He assisted in the organization of the First National bank of Garner in 1892, when he was elected as a member of its board of directors, in which capacity he still serves. He was also one of the organizers of the State Savings bank at Klemme the same year, and was its first president.

Mr. Wichman has always been a republican in politics, casting his first vote for Garfield. He has taken an active part in local and state politics, serving as chairman and secretary of the county central committee and frequently representing Hancock county in the district and state conventions. He has served two terms as mayor of Garner, two terms as councilman and four terms as recorder. In 1886 he was elected county attorney, being the first to fill that office in Hancock county under the new law changing from district to county attorneys. He was re-elected in 1888, and during his four years in office was especially active in working for the enforcement of the prohibitory liquor law. In 1895 he was selected by the republicans of his county as their candidate for the office of senator from his district. Mr. Wichman is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He has been chancellor commander of the local organization and has represented them in the grand lodge, both at Sioux City and at Muscatine. He belongs to no church, but is a regular attendant of the Methodist Episcopal.

Mr. Wichman was married November 15, 1888, at Garner, to Miss Mary L. Prescott. They have one child, Lois Della, who was born August 17, 1895.

SOURCE: Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa published by Conway and Shaw, Des Moines: 1899.

History of Garner, (Hancock County) Iowa

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