JUDGE WASHINGTON I. BABB Judge Washington Irwin Babb lawyer, legislator and promoter of community interests whose activity in connection with affairs of state as well as with matters of local progress has made him a distinguished and representative citizen of Mount Pleasant, is particularly well known as a leader of the Henry county bar. He was born in what is now Sperry Station, Des Moines county, Iowa, October 2, 1844, his parents being Miles and Mary (Mbyer) [Meyer, Mayer, Moyer?] Babb. His paternal grandparents were John and Susan Babb, the former a native of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and was descended from one of the old families of the Keystone state, his father being a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He was reared and educated in the Keystone state and was married there. In 1837 he went to Des Moines county, Iowa, and was one of its early settlers. There he entered land from the government and purchased additional property until his holdings embraced twelve hundred acres at Sperry Station. In his business affairs he prospered, becoming one of the most successful and extensive farmers of his locality. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist church, and the active part which he took in promoting the moral progress of his community. His son, Miles Babb, was born in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, in 1818, and acquired his education in the public schools there. His father was owner of a coal mine and he became connected with mining interests. In 1837 he accompanied the family on the removal to Iowa, where he was married in 1843 to Miss Mary Moyer. In 1850 he went to California, where he acted as superintendent of the Bay State Mining Company. There his death occurred in 1852, when he was killed by the caving in of a tunnel. He left a widow and two children, Washington I. and Belle A., who became Mrs. Mansfield and is dean of the Art and Musical College, at DePauw University, at Greencastle, Indiana. Mrs. Babb, the mother, was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and made her home in Sperry Station until 1860, when she came to Mount Pleasant, where her death occurred in March, 1895.  Judge Babb pursued his early education in the public schools of his native county and his more specifically literary education in the Iowa Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated in 1866, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the meantime, however, he had espoused the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company E, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, in the spring of 1863 and served until the close of the war. He served in the Army of the Cumberland under General Thomas and participated in the Atlanta campaign and the battles of Franklin and Nashville. He was then under command of General Wilson in the spring of 1865, in the Alabama campaign taking part in the engagement at Selma and Montgomery, proceeded to Macon, Georgia, and was at that place when the war closed. He received an honorable discharge in August, 1865, with the rank of sergeant.  Following the close of his military service Judge Babb completed his collegiate course and then entered upon a preparation for the practice of law as a student in the office of H. & R. Ambler, then the leading attorneys of Mount Pleasant. Admitted to the bar, he began practice January 1, 1868, forming a partnership with his former preceptors under the firm style of Ambler & Babb, a connection which was continued until January, 1873, when he became a partner of John S. Woolson, afterward United States district judge, their business relations being maintained until Judge Babb went upon the bench, January, 1891. In their practice they had been very successful in l30th the state and United States courts, and on the bench Judge Babb made a record in harmony with his record as a man and lawyer distinguished by a masterful grasp of every problem which was presented for solution and by a fairness and impartiality in his decisions that won him high encomiums.  Following his retirement from the bench he entered upon active practice with Judge Withrow, and the firm of Babb & Withrow had a continuous existence until 1897, when the latter was appointed district judge. At that time the present law firm of Babb & Babb was estal3lished and in connection with the most important litigation tried in the courts of the district receives a liberal clientage.  Judge Babb has an analytical mind, is strong in argument and logical in his conclusions, and moreover he has continued the reading of law until he 1ms a thorough mastery of the principles of both criminal and civil law, while before the courts and on the bench he has made a notable record and has at the same time extended his activities in other fields wherever the interests of the public have been conserved. A champion of democratic principles he was elected upon that ticket to the office of state legislator in 1883, serving in the twentieth general assembly, wherein he became connected with much important constructive legislation. He served on the judicial, road and school committees but on the minority side. He was instrumental in securing the appropriation for additional wings for the insane hospital and aside from party measures did effective service in the general assembly. In 1895 he was nominated as democratic candidate for governor and received a strong party vote, while in 1896 he was the democratic nominee for United States senator. Elected to the bench or the second judicial district he had jurisdiction at that time over eight counties — Henry, Jefferson, Wapello, Monroe, Lucas, Appanoose, Davis, and Van Buren. He served for four years and the equity and soundness of his decisions were rarely called into question. During the past eight years he has been one of the regents of the State University of Iowa, while in community affairs he has taken a most active and helpful part, contributing in substantial measure to the progress of his city. He has been president of the library board of Mount Pleasant from its organization and was active in securing the Carnegie library. For thirty-four years he was one of the trustees of the Iowa Wesleyan University and chairman of its executive committee. With a mind trained for close investigation, he readily comprehends the various sides of each question which affect the public welfare, and in his efforts for general progress and improvement his labors have been practical and far-reaching in result.  Judge Babb was married on the 9th of October, 1873, to Miss Alice Bird, a daughter of Dr. Bird, one of the prominent early physicians of Iowa, who arrived in Mount Pleasant in 1849. They have two sons and a daughter now living, one daughter, Clara Belle, having died some years ago: Max W., a practicing attorney, of Chicago, now general counsel for the Allis-Chalmers Company; Miles T., who is with the AAxstern Wheel Scraper Company, of Aurora, Illinois, and Alice, at home. Judge Babb attends and supports the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife and children are members. He holds membership relations in Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 8, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he has been worshipful master and also representative to the grand lodge. He belongs to Henry chapter, No. 8, Royal Arch Masons, Jerusalem commandery, Knights Templar, of which he has been eminent commander and has likewise been representative to the grand commandery and served as grand commander of the state in 1894. He affiliates with Kaaba temple of the Mystic Shrine at Davenport and with McFarland post, Grand Army of the Republic. His varied public service, the extent of his influence, his activity in political and legal circles make him a prominent citizen of Henry county and one to whom the state points with pride as an honored son.  ©2009 Genealogy Trails