One
of the best known attorneys of Johnson county is John Joseph Ney,
who has been a resident of Iowa for about twenty years past. He is a
native of Sandusky, Ohio, born June 8, 1852, son of Patrick and Ann
(Corcoran) Ney, natives of Ireland. The father was by occupation, a
railroad contractor, farmer, and soldier, and served in the War of the
Rebellion. He was successful in a business way, and although he
was away from home on railroad work a great deal of the time, his sons
were reared to farm work. He and his wife had five sons and two
daughters.
John J. Ney attended the village school at Arcola, Allen county, Indiana, and later entered a | 
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Catholic Brothers' school at Fort Wayne. He soon afterward returned to
the home farm and later went with his father on railroad work for a
year, after which he took a course at Notre Dame University. Later, he
read law in an office at Independence,Iowa, and then returning to Notre
Dame, graduated there from in 1874. He returned to the college for the
next year after graduation, then began practicing at Independence. In
1875 he became a member of the legal firm of Lake, Harmon & Ney,
upon the election of M. W. Harmon to the Iowa state senate. Mr. Ney
retired from the firm upon Mr. Harmon's return from the session of
1876, and thereupon formed the law firm of Buckart & Ney in the
same year.
Mr. Ney has served creditably in various public
offices, first, in 1877, as city attorney of Independence, and the
following year assumed his duties in the office of mayor. Upon his
election the the latter office he dissolved the firm of Buckart &
Ney, and from that time practiced alone. He was elected circuit judge
in 1884 to fill the unexpired term of B. W. Lacy, resigned. He was
twice elected as district judge of the Tenth judicial district of Iowa,
serving in this office from January 1, 1887, until December, 1894, at
which time he resigned. Meanwhile, he had removed to Iowa City, which
has since been his home. In September, 1894, he became resident
professor of law in the State University, while at the same time he
continued private practice, but after the June commencement in 1898, he
ceased his connection with the institution, devoting his entire time to
his large and growing practice. Since that time this has been his life
work, and he is known as one of the most astute and successful men in
his profession in his part of the state. He is popular with all who
know him and stands well in the estimation of his fellow citizens. He
has proved faithful to every trust imposed on him and has given
valuable service to the public in every office he has filled. In
religious views he is a Catholic and fraternally he was a member of the
old Iowa City Club later absorbed by the Elks.
Mr.
Ney was married (first) in Chicago, October 3, 1878, to Emily Frances
Colby, daughter of Abram Usher and Mary (Santor) Colby. Mrs. Ney
died at Independence, September 14, 1893, leaving four children
surviving: Frank J., Philip R., Genevieve F., and John J., Jr. Mr. Ney
was married (second) in Iowa City, January 20, 1904, to Miss Anastasia
Mullin, daughter of William and Margaret (Phelan) Mullin. They have a
pleasant home in Iowa City.
Source: Leading Events in Johnson County, IA, Cedar Rapids, Western Historical Press 1912-13; pg. 524)
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