Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-09
LAST OF EARLY JUDGES Of
COUNTY DIES AT HOME HERE
OF OLD AGE
HAD BEEN RESIDENT OF
COUNTY OVER SIXTY YEARS
Was Last Surviving Of Six Judges Who
Served Under the Ccurty's Early
Judicial System-Was Pioneer Mer-
chant Of AIpion-Served as Justice
for Many Years-Sketch Of Career.

resident of the county and city foi
more than sixty years died at his home
3l0 North First avenue at $50 O'Clock
| Friday night Of old age. lir. Battr
had been failing steadily for several
years but in the last few months his
declining strength had become moro
noticeable.
He had declined more rapidly since
Dec. 81 and since that time he had
| scarcely been out Of the house, althC
even as late as Friday forenoon he
was able. with help, to be up out OF
bed for short time. Complicated with
his failing strength. due to his cX-
tremc age of s. years. there was a
slight affection of the heart which was
to be expected in one so Old He ap-
peared drowsy and seemed TO be sleep
ing most of the day and up to the time
of his death.
Was Pioneer Judge.
William Battin was one Of the real
pioneers Of the county. During the
more than sixty years Of his residence
in the county, which was continuous
except for a short time, he had wit
messed the development Of the county
and city from the rough pioneer days
when he first cast his fortune in the
community by settling a Albion. There
he engaged in business from which ne
retired when elected county judge. He
served as Judge during one of the real
troublesome periods when one OF the
county seat contests was waged. con-
test that he as county judge was called
upon to decide. During his judgeship
another Of the early questions of then
primary importance that came before
him was the swamp land question, the
decision OF which caused feeling anlsns
many in the county for years after
wa ards
For Many Years Justice.
For a number OF years after retiring
from the judgeship he engaged IN
farming in the northeastern part Of
the county. Following that for a short
period Of time he was in the coal min
ing business at Hickory Grove. Mon
roe county. Returning to Marshall
county he again engaged in farming
but moved to this city in 1891 and hao
lived here ever since. In early days
he was for time member Of the
board Of supervisors. when the board
contained sixteen members, and for
many years he was justice Of the peace
in this city. During his later years
he had engaged in the real estate, in
suranCe and loaning business in this
city.
Was Native Of Ohio.
70 Pot fiy, tive cf ~
umbiania county, Ohio. from which
came SO many pioneers to settle in
Marshall county. He was born in
Hanover township, June "a 1892 his
parents being Mr.. and Mrs. John Bat
tin, who had moved from Virginia into
Ohio. He was reared in the county
and his primary education was obtain
ed in the country school. Most of his
education he has said, he secured later.
however, when he taught school at
New Lisbon, Salem and Damascus.
From school teaching he went to
clerk in general store.
Came to Iowa in 1856.
He started west late in 1856 and ar
rived at Iowa City, which marked the
limit Of railroad building into Iowa at
that time, Dec. I. Coming overland ne
arrived in Marshall county and settled
at Albion where with a partner he
opened a general merchandise store in
April 1857. The old brick store build
ing is still standing. Late in that
year he returned to Ohio where on Dec.
| 81, 1857 he married Miss Elizabeth 3.
Malmsberry, who survives him. They
celebrated the sixtieth anniversary OF
~ fv
| this city. While engaged in business in
Albion he was nominated for county
| Judge and was elected in 1859, serving
| thru the years Of 1860 and 81.
Was MarshaIItown Candidate.
Judge Battin was the third to be
| elected to that office after the county
court system was formed, and he was
| the last surviving one Of the six
judges. The others, in the order Of their
| election were John 3. Hobbs. William
| c. Smith, r. Howe, Taylor, Edwin A.
Rice and T. A. Lampman.
Mr.. Battin was the candidate OF
| Marshalltown party in the contest that
| was then being waged to move the
county seat to Albion. In this move
ment the Marietta faction joined forces
| with Albion Petitions for an election
| on the question of removal were cir
culated and out Of the contests over the
| petitions grew a law suit to determine
the validity Of petitions that Judge
Battin was called upon to decide. AL
bion was finally beaten 81 the law
suit and Marshalltown kept the county
seat
Another question of importance to the
pioneer community that he decided
was that regarding swamp lands. Some
| of this land had been sold by the
county and those who bought were de-
manding titles. The government re-
| quired proof of the swampy character
of the land before patents would be
issued. Eventually the county got titles
and sold $4,000 to 5000 worth OF the
land, the proceeds being used foI
school purposes.
/ Came to City in 1891.
! Judge Battin cntinued his residence
in Albion until 1865 when nc moved ia
farm in the northeastern part of tho
county where he remained until 1852
The family moved in the latter year q
/ Oskaloosa where they retnaine1 two
| years while Judge Rattin was engaged
in the coal mining business at Hickory
Grove. In 1886 the family returned ia
this county and again moved to u farm
| where they remained until March. J.
1891 when they moved 20 this city
which has since been the family home
/ Mr.. Battin was a life long member OF
the Friends church.
i a.aead I aeoa ssaaai1v.