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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
HORACE W. GLEASON, attorney at law, and senior member of the firm of Gleason & Haskell, of Oskaloosa, is a native of Warren, Grafton Co., N. H., where he was born May 2, 1846. He is a son of Rev. Salmon Gleason, a native of New Hampshire, who was a graduate of Wilbraham Seminary, Massachusetts, at present known as Fisk University. Salmon Gleason was one of the mechanics employed in the erection of that building, and was a man of more than ordinary ability. Among the first abolitionists of his native State, he was ever the friend and benefactor of the down-trodden and oppressed colored man: Because of the advocacy of his views in this regard he was at one time arrested in his pulpit and cast into prison, where he was confined for two weeks, and where his friends did not dare to visit him, but was finally released without further action. His buildings were burned down over his head, and for years he was persecuted because of his anti- slavery sentiments, yet he lived to see the slaves set free, and the dream of his early life fulfilled, and is living at the present time at the ripe old age of eighty-four. Salmon Gleason married, in 1823, Miss Jerusha Willard, a native of Vermont. She was born in June, 1803. Of the issue of this marriage there are four sons living: Salmon W., at Mankata, Minn.; Rev. George L., a Congregational minister, at South Byfleld, Mass.; Orange S., of Warren, N. H., and the subject of this sketch, Horace W. Mrs. Gleason died Feb. 17, 1876. She was a very earnest and sincere Christian woman, well beloved by all who knew her. Horace W. Gleason remained at home until he was sixteen years of age, receiving his rudimentary education at the common schools and Newbury Academy, at Newbury, Vt. On the call for 300,000 troops by President Lincoln, he enlisted in June, 1862, in Co. G, l2th N.H.Vol. lnf., as a private soldier, and participated with his regiment in the engagements at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Swift Creek, Drury's Bluff, Cold Harbor, the siege of Richmond, Weldon Railroad, Appomattox, the battle of the 14th of June, 1864, and many other battles and skirmishes. In the action at Gettysburg he was wounded. He was promoted Sergeant Major and subsequently to First Lieutenant, and was detailed as an aid-de- camp on the staff of Gen. Whipple, who was killed in action at the battle of Chancellorsville. At the closing up of the war Lieut. Gleason was detailed and placed in charge of the Government property. at Bermuda Hundred, and was engaged in the gathering up of military stores, disposing of them and turning the proceeds over to the Government, which duties were discharged in a manner so entirely satisfactory that he received a compliment of special mention in general orders from his superior officer. Sept. 22, 1865, he was honorably discharged at Fortress Monroe, Va., and returned to his eastern home. In the spring of 1866, acting upon the advice of Greeley, Mr. Gleason came to the boundless west, stopping one year at Mankato, Minn. In 1867 he removed to Benton County, Iowa, where he taught school and read law at the same time, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1869, at Toledo, Iowa. From there he removed to Jasper County, Iowa, where he followed his profession until May, 1872, when he came to Oskaloosa and formed a partnership with Hon. J. A. L. Crookham, which continued for seven years, and soon after its dissolution, his present partnership was formed. Oct. 20, 1875, Mr. Gleason was married in Oskaloosa, to Miss Flora A. Howard, a daughter of Henry Howard, Esq., of this city, who came to Mahaska County with her parents when only one year old. Of the children born to them two are living; Howard L., born Feb. 1, 1877, and Warren E., June 6, 1884. Mr. Gleason is a member of the following Masonic bodies: Blue Lodge Chapter and Commandery, Council and Consistory, and has represented both Chapter and Commandery in the grand bodies of the State. He is also a member of Phil Kearney Post No. 40, G. A. R. Politically he is a Republican, and in 1878 was elected by that party as its representative in thr Lower House of the General Assembly of Iowa, participating actively in all the work of the session, and acquitting himself in a manner alike creditable to himself and his constituents. He is a man of fine legal attainments, is a close student, a good counselor and an eloquent advocate, ranking high in his profession at home and wherever known abroad.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy