-------------------------------
biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
BYRON W. PRESTON, of the law firm of Blanchard & Preston, was born at Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa, Feb. 13, 1858 and is the son of Sylvester and Amelia M. (Wild) Preston. When twelve years of age he removed with his parents to Marseilles, Ill., and a year later to Orinnell, Iowa. He graduated from the Grinnell Academy and attended the college department two years, then went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and graduated from Eastman's Business College. From there he removed to Newton, Iowa, remained a short time, and returned to Grinnell, and in July, 1883, came to Oskaloosa and began the study of law in the office of Judge L. C. Blanchard. He was admitted to the bar in the Circuit Court of this county in March, 1884, and in November following formed the existing partnership with his preceptor, Judge Blanchard. Mr. Preston was married at Newton, Iowa, Oct. 6, 1880, to Miss Nellie Blanchard, a native of Jasper County, Iowa, and a daughter of M. A. and Mary E. Blanchard. By this union there has been one child, Edith, born May 24, 1882. The father of Mr. Preston is a resident of Grinnell. His mother died July 6, 1883. in his political relations he is a Republican; socially he is a member of Herman Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Grinnell Chapter, R. A. M., and Oriental Commandery, K. T., at Newton. Though young in his profession, Mr. Preston is making rapid strides toward the front rank, and is showing marked ability in the handling of cases intrusted to his care. He is a young man of excellent ability, a close student, hard worker, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, and possessed of a laudable ambition to succeed. He is high-minded and honorable, and of strictest integrity, and is highly regarded by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy