Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 4.djvu/108

 Civil War began he was but fourteen years of age, yet he tried several times to enlist but was rejected on account of his youth. Having his own way to make he came to Davenport, Iowa, in 1865, and attended the commercial college. Five years later he removed to Grinnell which has since been his home. Mr. Christian early became an expert telegraph operator and later an hotel keeper. In 1888 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Chicago, and chairman of the finance committee of the Iowa delegation. He also had charge of the Allison Presidential campaign during the sessions of the Convention. In 1889 he was appointed by J. S. Clarkson, assistant superintendent of the railway mail service and in July, 1890, became Post-office Inspector. This position he retained through changing administrations until he received the appointment of United States Marshal in 1898. THOMAS W. CLAGETT was born in Prince George County, Maryland, August 30, 1815. He received a liberal education at Bladensburg Academy, studied law, was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of his profession. He served two terms in the House of the Maryland Legislature as a Whig. In 1850 he removed to Iowa, locating at Keokuk, where he practiced law and became editor of the Keokuk Constitution. When the Whig party disappeared Mr. Clagett united with the Democrats and in 1857 was elected judge of the First District. In 1859 he was elected to the House of the Eighth General Assembly and at once became one of the leading members. He served in the extra session of May, 1861, called to organize the military forces of the State for the Civil War. Judge Clagett took a deep interest in fine stock and general farming and was one of the founders of the Lee County Agricultural Society and in 1853 he also helped to organize the State Agricultural Society and was its president for four years. He was a man of generous impulses and fine social qualities. Judge Clagett died in Keokuk on the 15th of April, 1876.  CHARLES A. CLARK, one of the great lawyers of the State, was born at Sangerville, in the State of Maine, January 26, 1841. He at tended the common schools of his native town, with three terms at Foxcroft Academy. Later, while working on a farm, he walked three miles to Guilford several times each week to procure instruction in Greek and Latin. At the age of fifteen he began to teach school and in April, 1861, enlisted as a private in Company A, Sixth Maine Volunteers and as a soldier of great courage he received rapid promotion to corporal, sergeant, lieutenant and adjutant of the regiment, serving until he was severely wounded and discharged. As soon as he recovered he reëntered the army with a commission as captain and assistant Adjutant-General, serving in General Burnside's Brigade until in November, 1864, failing health 