Polk Co. IAGenWeb

CONRAD, CAPT. W. F. — Of the firm of Phillips & Conrad, attorneys at law. Was born in Ithaca, New York, November 7, 1826, and when young his parents moved to Oswego, and afterward to Hinsdale, Cattaraugus county. When 15 years of age he removed to Brantford, Canada West. He graduated from the Wesleyan University, at Middletown, Conn., in 1853, and afterward moved south to Port Gibson, where he taught school for about two years, studying law in the meantime. He was there admit ted to practice in 1855, and soon after removed to this State, settling in Burlington, and at once commenced the practice of his profession. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in company G, Twenty-fifth Iowa. Before the command moved from Burlington he was commissioned sergeant-major, and on the 1st of January, 1863, was elected captain of company K. May 24, 1863, he was taken prisoner at Raymond, Miss., and was held 11 months in Libby Prison; was then taken to Macon, Ga.; remained there in the hands of the enemy for nearly 3 months, and about the same length of time in Charleston, S. C. He was then removed to Columbia; was detained two months and on the 29th of November, 1864, managed to escape. He made his way to Knoxville, Tenn., reaching there January 8, 1865. He saw some pretty hard times, since then unequalled. Then returned home, and soon after was sent on detached service to Fort Snelling, Minn., remaining there until July, 1865, when he was mustered out. He went to Canton, Mo., where he commenced to practice, and remained there until his coming here, in the fall of 1876, and since 1878 has been engaged in business with Mr. Phillips. January 22, 1853, he was married in Aurora, New York, to Miss Harriet S. Pierce, a native of Maine. They have one son and one daughter: William F. and Hattie L.