The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-11-18
STORMY CAREER
OF LARRABEE
Ex-Governor Whose Funeral Occurred
Today Was Eighty Years Of
Age at Time Of His
Death.
HISTORY or HIS LIFE
Spent Hoyhecd Days on Connection.
Farm and Came to the state
Of Iowa In tho Year
Of 1858.


William Larrabee, governor Of Iowa
from 1885 to 1889 whose death occur.
red at his home at Clermont on SAT
urday morning was eighty years OF
age and was buried this afternoon.
Governor Larrabee's career was
stormy. II covered the fight for pro
hibition in this state and the enforce
ment Of the prohibltory law. He DO
came radical on the sheet and was
relentless in the enforcement Of the
law.
4 At the beginning OF his second term
as governor he became extremely rad
tcal In regard to the control Of rail-
road corporations. He made radical
recommendations to the twenty-sec-
ond general assembly and in co-opera.
ton with the leaders in the legisla-
ture Of that time he made all the laws
in control Of the railroads that now
exist. excepting the 2.cent fare and
the anti-pass law which acts came un.
der Governor Cummins' administra-
ton. Governor Larrabee gained the
undying hatred Of the liquor and rarl-
road interests. He was indicted for
libeling a convict and was tried in
the Polk county district court and
found not guilty. The trial attracted
wide attention because the complain
ing witness was convict and the
governor Of Iowa the defendant.
Among the membership OF the jury
was one colored man.
Governor Larrabee was understood
to be one Of the wealthy men of the
state. He made his money in banking
and the purchase of lands when they
were low in price. Two OF his sons
win be members Of the coming gener.
al assembly of Iowa. One Of his
daughters married Victor Dolliver,
brother of the late Senator Dolliver.
Victor Dolliver Is now dead.
History Of His Life.
William Larrabee, twelfth governor
of Iowa, was born in Ledyard, Conn,
January 20, 1892. His father, Adam
Larrabee was graduate of West
Point Military academy and an officer
in the war of 1872. The boyhood years
Of the son were passed on his faith
er's farm. His education was acquir-
ed in the common schools and at the
age Of 10 he became teacher. In
1853 he started west, stopping first in
Clayton county, Iowa, where he re.
sumed teaching. For three years he
was employed as foreman on a large
farm belonging to Judge Williams. In
1857 he purchased an interest in the
Clermont mills, Fayette county, ana
eventually became the sole owner OF
the property.
Later he became engaged extensive
ly in farming and banking. In 1867
he was nominated by the republicans
OF Fayette county for state senator
and elected. He remained in the sen
ate for eighteen years by successive
reflections, serving the longest con-
tinuously Of any member OF the Iowa
Legislature since the admission of the
state. He was an able practical lsgis-
lator and acquired by long service an
intimate knowledge of public affairs,
giving him great influence in shaping
the laws and general state policy.
During most of this period he was
chairman of the committee Of ways
and means. In 1881 he was cana.
date before the republican state con-
vention for governor but was not sue
cessful. In 1885 he received the nom
nation and was elected. His admin
istration was noted for the firm stano
he took in securing legislation to reg