NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 E. E. WAGNER Edward E. Wagner, a member of one of the pioneer families of Iowa, was formerly numbered among the foremost lawyers of Sioux City but is now practicing in Mitchell, South Dakota, and he has also aided in framing the laws of that state. He was born October 22, 1870, in Lyon county, Iowa, and his parents were James H. and Louisa (Conklin) Wagner, the latter a native of Ohio. The father was born in Pennsylvania and in Linn county enlisted in the Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry. He served for three years in the Civil war and was twice captured, spending fourteen months in a Confederate prison. After the restoration of peace he returned to Linn county and in 1870 migrated to the Lyon district, transporting his household goods in a covered wagon and driving his cattle ahead. he entered a homestead, which he improved, and in 1872, when the county of Lyon was organized, he was made its first treasurer. He then moved to Rock Rapids, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was elected a member of the board of supervisors, filling that office until his death on November 15, 1884, and his wife passed away September 7, 1901. Their son, Edward E. Wagner, was the first white child born in Lyon county and his early education was obtained in its common schools. After his father's death the subject of this sketch took charge of the farm, which he operated until 1890, and then sold the property. He read law under the supervision of H. G. McMillan and in May, 1893, was admitted to the bar. He began his professional career in Mitchell, South Dakota, and has spent twenty-six years in that state. His ability brought him prominently before the public and from 1905 until 1907 he was a member of the state senate of South Dakota, bringing to his duties the complete armory of the well equipped lawyer. In 1907 he was appointed United States district attorney by President Roosevelt and was reappointed by President Taft, serving until 1912, when he resigned. He had previously served as state's attorney of Hanson county, from 1901 until 1903. He was honored with the presidency of the South Dakota Bar Association and served for one in that capacity. In April, 1919, he located at Sioux City, Iowa, where he practiced with much success until October 1, 1925, when he returned to his old home in Mitchell, South Dakota. He is well versed in the minutiae of the law and powerful in forensic combat. Mr. Wagner has three children: Hazel L.; Ruth Motley, of Des Moines, Iowa; and Robert E., who is serving on the battleship Oklahoma of the United States navy. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and a Noble of El Riad Temple of the Mystic Shrine of Sioux Falls. He also belongs to the Elks Lodge and the Hamilton Club of Chicago. He is a member of the Sioux City and Iowa State Bar Associations, the South Dakota Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Mr. Wagner has been the recipient of many important trusts, all of which he had faithfully discharged, and his constantly expanding powers have won him distinction in his chosen profession. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/