One of Iowa's Most Colorful Attorneys

Judge John P. Tinley, Sr., 79, one of the most colorful courtroom figures in Iowa, died at 2:15 a.m. Friday at a local hospital. Death was caused by pneumonia, following complication of a hip fracture suffered about a month ago.

The judge, who lived at 301 South Eighth Street, retired from public life this spring after eight years on the municipal court bench. Previously, he served seven years as judge of the district court. He was a staunch Democrat.

When he was in private practice, Judge Tinley specialized in the defense of major criminal cases. He had defended at least 25 first-degree murder cases. Not a single one of the defendants paid the supreme penalty. In many cases he won an acquittal.

Widely Known Court Orator

He was widely known as a court orator. Judge Tinley, a native of Council Bluffs, studied law in the office of his brother, Emmet Tinley and was admitted to the bar in 1892. He launched his practice in Doon, a small town in Lyon County, and remained there for 10 years. While at Doon, he occupied the mayor chair for six years.

Later, he moved to Snohomish, Wash., where he practiced for one year. But, "the whole family was so homesick for Iowa that the only solution was to come back to Council Bluffs." This was in 1906. And the judge remained in Council Bluffs until his death. In 1926, he and his son, John, Jr., became partners in the law firm of Tinley and Tinley. Later his daughter, Mrs. Patricia Tinley Duckworth, became associated with the firm. Since his retirement, the judge had acted in an advisory capacity.

An Avowed Humanitarian

Judge Tinley was an avowed humanitarian. He did special work with juveniles while on the municipal bench. His hobby was horses. And he rode daily "in fair weather, or foul" until about eight years ago. He gave up riding when his horse, Red Boy, died. The horse was half-brother of the famous racer, Man O' War.

The judge belonged to many lodges and clubs, including the various bar associations, the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Eagles, Moose and Modern Woodmen. He was a member of St. Francis Church.

Besides his two children in the law firm, he is survived by: widow, Margaret; three daughters, Beatrice and Gertrude at home, and Mrs. Donald T. Fox of Omaha; brother, Dr. Mathew A. Tinley of Council Bluffs; two sisters, Dr. Mary L. Tinley and Miss Aurelia R. Tinley, both of Council Bluffs; nine grandchildren and a great grandson.

Services have been tentatively set for Monday morning at St. Francis Church. The body is at the Cutler funeral home.