HE high character and the great services rendered in the work of State-building by the Pioneers and Old Settlers are being acknowledged by the people of Iowa. The ceremonies of the Semi-Centennial of our birth just past have conclusively demonstrated this fact de it apparent to the public view, and we trust that in re the State-builders who "made Iowa" may live in tions of the people and in the history of the State Jed for them. The inspiration that is developed by ssors in this progressive generation in beautifying ging the work of their hands has been supplied in us measure by those whose praises were sung and deeds were so nobly extolled on yesterday at the of the young State. Most of the brilliant stars that d the firmament" when the light of the Territory was the rising of the State have set and have become ens of that better country whose builder and maker is

IOWA HISTORICAL RECORD

VOL. XIII.

JANUARY, 1897.

HON. JOHN JAMES DYER,

No. I.

FIRST JUDGE OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR Iowa,

1847-1855.

BY T. S. PARVIN, LL. D.,

CLERK OF HIS COURT.

HE high character and the great services rendered in the work of State-building by the Pioneers and Old Settlers are being acknowledged by the people of Iowa. The ceremonies of the Semi-Centennial of our State's birth just past have conclusively demonstrated this fact and made it apparent to the public view, and we trust that in the future the State-builders who "made Iowa" may live in the affections of the people and in the history of the State they builded for them. The inspiration that is developed by their successors in this progressive generation in beautifying and enlarging the work of their hands has been supplied in a generous measure by those whose praises were sung and whose deeds were so nobly extolled on yesterday at the jubilee of the young State. Most of "the brilliant stars that adorned the firmament" when the light of the Territory was lost in the rising of the State have set and have become "citizens of that better country whose builder and maker is God."

XIII-I. I