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Reuben R. Pember

Reuben R. Pember, the efficient County Clerk of Fayette County, and a leading attorney of Maynard, claims Wisconsin as the State of his nativity. He was born in Rock County, June 16, 1855, gracing the union of John B. and Elmira (Ransom) Pember. His father was born in Bradford Co., N. Y., in 1822, and the mother in Chenango County in the same State. They were married in New York, and in 1845 started westward with the intention of trying their fortune on the broad prairies in the Mississippi Valley. They located in Harmony Township, Rock County, where Mr. Pember opened up a farm and in 1868 came to Harlan Township, Fayette County, settling in what is now Maynard, then the village of Long Grove. Both are still living and they have three children, of whom our subject is the eldest; Almira Adell is the wife of W. S. Brown, of Maynard; and Joseph Napoleon is married and resides at home.   In the usual manner of farmer lads, our subject was reared to manhood, but not content to engage in agricultural pursuits throughout his life, he began the study of law. He had acquired his literary education in the schools of Maynard, and began fitting himself for his chosen profession under the tutelage of L. L. Ainsworth, of West Union, and W. A. Hoyt, of Fayette. He was admitted to the bar at West Union in September, 1882, and at once began practice in Maynard, where he has since been actively engaged in professional work. He has also been prominently connected with the mercantile interests of this place for some years, only severing his connection in January, 1891, when he felt his duties as a lawyer and County Clerk to be sufficient labor. For a time he was a member of the firm of Brown & Pember, which later was changed to Brown, Payne & Co.   He was admitted to the bar at West Union in September, 1882, and at once began practice in Maynard, where he has since been actively engaged in professional work. He has also been prominently connected with the mercantile interests of this place for some years, only severing his connection in January, 1891, when he felt his duties as a lawyer and County Clerk to be sufficient labor. For a time he was a member of the firm of Brown & Pember, which later was changed to Brown, Payne & Co.

 On the 5th of March, 1877, Mr. Pember was united in marriage with Miss Nora Hobson, a native of Darlington Heights, Ill., and a daughter of John and Mary (Parks) Hobson, the former born in Pennsylvania, and the latter in the Prairie State. Her father was a potter by trade, which business he learned in early life. He went to Illinois when a young man and there became acquainted with and married Miss Parks, with whom he now resides near Sioux Falls, S. D. Mr. Hobson was also for many years a resident of this county, having located in Auburn Township in 1855. Afterward he removed to Smithfield Township, where he followed his trade in connection with farming. He took quite an active interest in local political , supporting the Democratic party. In the family were six children: Parks, who is married and follows farming in South Dakota; Harr, Edward and Charles, all of whom are married and reside in that State; Nora, wife of our subject; and Exhimenia.

Mr. and Mrs. Pember began their domestic life in Maynard, where he has resided since fourteen years of age. They have four interesting children - John, Mary, Orville and Edwin, who are attending school. He cast his first vote for Hayes and Wheeler and afterward was a supporter of the Union Labor party until 1888, when he identified himself with the Democratic party on account of the position which it takes in regard to the labor question. The same year he was candidate for County Attorney, and though defeated ran about two hundred ahead of his ticket. He has served as Mayor of Maynard, for two terms, was one of its Councilmen, and in November, 1889, was elected County Clerk by a large majority. He takes considerable interest in civic societies, was made a Mason in Hebron Lodge, No. 374, A. F. & A. M., of Oelwein, and became a charter member of Sunnyside Lodge, U. D., A. F. & A. M., of Maynard. He also belongs to Lleiades Chapter, No. 86, R. A. M., and Langridge Commandery, No. 47, K. T. of West Union. Of the lodge in Sunnyside he is Treasurer. Mr. Pember has watched with interest the development and progress of Fayette County which has been his home for so many years. Before the day of railroads when people traveled by stage coach, when the homes of the settlers were log cabins, and when the greater part of the land was still undeveloped, he came here, and with its progress and advancement has been identified. He is regarded as one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Maynard, and the people seem well satisfied with the manner in which he is discharging the responsible duties of County Clerk.