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Willard H. Lyon, of Knoxville, is numbered among those attorneys who scrupulously uphold the honor and dignity
of their profession and he has won the respect of his colleagues and of the general public alike. He was born in
Dallas county, Iowa, on the 16th of February, 1877, a son of Charles H. and Sarah J. (Tiffy) Lyon, both natives
of Van Buren county, this state. The paternal grandfather was John Lyon, who was born in Rochester, New York, but
in 1840 removed to Van Buren county, this state. He was a wagon maker by trade; opened at Cantril, Iowa, the first
wagon shop in this state and made the first iron mold board for plows made in Iowa. Charles H. Lyon, father of
the subject of this review, was a farmer and also conducted a creamery at Dexter, Iowa. He passed away on the 24th
of June, 1900, and is survived by his widow, who resides in Des Moines. He was a republican in his political belief
and was a member of the Christian church, as is his widow. He was a veteran of the Civil war, serving as a member
of Company A, First Iowa Cavalry, for four years.
Willard H. Lyon was one of a family of five sons and two daughters and was reared under the parental roof. His
early education was acquired in the public schools and he subsequently attended the Dexter Normal College. Still
later he was a student in the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and in 1896 went to Pella as principal
of the high school and was made superintendent of schools there some time later, in which capacity he served for
four years, proving a competent administrator of school affairs. He then began the study of law, entering the law
department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1902. He returned to Pella and for two
and a half years was associated with T. H. Bousquet in the practice of his profession. In 1904 he was elected county
attorney, taking office on the 1st of January the year following and continuing therein until the 1st of January,
1909. He then came to Knoxville and in the intervening five years has built up a large and lucrative practice here,
being recognized as one of the leading attorneys of the city. His excellent general education has proved almost
as much a factor in his success as his thorough legal training and these coupled with his logical mind and power
of effective speaking have enabled him to succeed in a profession where advancement must be won by real ability.
Mr. Lyon was married on the 29th of June, 1905, to Miss Edith Hamilton, of Joliet, Illinois. He and his wife both
attend the Congregational church and can be depended upon to aid any worthy cause. He is a member of the Knights
of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor; Oriental Lodge, No. 64, A. F. & A. M.; Tadmor Chapter, No. 18,
R. A. M.; Melita Commandery, K. T.; Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, A. & A. S. R.; and Za-Ga-Zig Temple, A. A.
O. N. M. S., of Des Moines. He is a republican in political affairs and supports the candidates and measures of
that party at the polls. His achievements are all the more notable when it is remembered that he has had to depend
upon his own resources since starting out in life for himself, even working his own way through college. His determination
and energy have conquered the obstacles that hindered his progress and he is now one of the most respected and
most successful attorneys of Knoxville.
From:
History of Marion County, Iowa
And its People
John W. Wright, Supervising Editor
W. A. Young, Associate
Vol II
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1915
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