Isaac S. Struble facts for kids

Isaac Struble, a U.S. Representative

Isaac Sterling "Ike" Struble (born November 3, 1843 – died February 17, 1913) was an important politician from Iowa. He served four terms as a Republican Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented Iowa's 11th congressional district from 1883 to 1891. Struble was known for being against polygamy (when someone is married to more than one person at the same time) in the Utah Territory.

Isaac came from a family involved in politics. His six brothers included John T. Struble and George R. Struble, who was a speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives. Isaac was also the great-uncle of Bob Struble, Sr. and the great-granduncle of Bob Struble, Jr..

Early Life and Education

Isaac Struble was born near Fredericksburg, Virginia. His family had come to America from Germany in 1748. As a boy, Isaac moved with his family first to Ohio and then to Iowa, where they settled on a farm near Iowa City. He went to public schools in both Ohio and Iowa.

Serving in the Civil War

Struble fought in the American Civil War. In August 1862, when he was 18, Isaac joined the Union Army as a private in the 22nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was 5 feet 8 inches tall with brown eyes and reddish hair. He was wounded in the Battle of Cedar Creek in Virginia in October 1864. After this, he was promoted to sergeant. He left the army in July 1865. Besides Cedar Creek, he also fought in battles like the Battle of Port Gibson, the Siege of Vicksburg, and the Battle of Opequon.

Life After the War

In 1866, after the Civil War ended, Struble worked as a bookkeeper in St. Louis. His uncle was a senior partner in the company. After about a year, he moved back to Iowa and went to law school.

Becoming a Lawyer

After finishing law school, Isaac became a lawyer in Polo, Illinois in 1870. In 1872, he moved to Le Mars, Iowa. Le Mars was a new town with only about 50 houses. There, he and his older brother, James Hammie Struble, opened their own law office. For the next ten years, Isaac worked as a private lawyer in Le Mars. He did not hold any public office until 1882.

He married Adelaide E. Stone on June 3, 1874.

Congressional Career

Congressman Struble

After the 1880 census, Iowa gained more representatives in the U.S. House. This meant the state needed to create new districts. Plymouth County, where Isaac lived, became part of a new Eleventh District. In 1882, Isaac Struble was chosen by the Republican Party to be the first representative for this new district. He won the election and became a member of the Forty-eighth United States Congress. He was part of a very large group of new members in Congress that year.

Re-election and Popularity

Struble was re-elected three more times in 1884, 1886, and 1888. He was very popular in his district. The New York Times even called him "exceptionally popular." However, in 1890, after many votes, the Republican Party chose someone else to run for the seat, George D. Perkins. Struble served in Congress from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1891.

One reason for his popularity decline was his support for the McKinley Tariff bill in 1890. Farmers in Iowa did not like this tariff because they thought it would hurt their ability to sell crops to other countries. This tariff also contributed to an economic downturn later on.

Impact and Legacy

During his time in Congress, Isaac Struble was well-liked by many people in his district. A small town was even named "Struble" in his honor. When he returned to Le Mars in 1891 after leaving Congress, he received a big welcome. A crowd greeted him at the train station, and a band played music. He gave a farewell speech, talking about his experiences in Congress.

As a former soldier, Congressman Struble spent a lot of time helping veterans and people in the armed services. He also helped get important projects for his district, like a public building in Sioux City. He was especially important in the United States House Committee on Territories.

Shaping New States

Struble led the Committee on the Territories during his fourth term. This committee played a big role in helping six western states join the United States: Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, and the two Dakotas. It also helped organize the Oklahoma Territory.

He also worked with Senator Shelby Cullom on the Cullom-Struble Bill. This bill aimed to stop polygamy and prevent the Utah Territory from becoming a state if it continued. The bill was close to passing in 1890. However, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) then officially announced that they would no longer support polygamous marriages. This decision, known as the 1890 Manifesto, meant the bill was no longer needed.

Isaac and his brother, George R. Struble, held traditional views for their time. Both supported prohibition (banning alcohol), and Isaac was very vocal against polygamy. Their strong opinions on these issues sometimes made them unpopular with certain groups.

After Congress

After leaving Congress, Isaac Struble went back to his law practice in Le Mars. One time, a client named William Cassmer became very angry with him. Cassmer came to Struble's office with a whip, but Struble stood his ground. The next day, outside, Cassmer hit Struble on the back of the neck, causing him to lose consciousness and need a doctor.

Isaac was a founding member of the First Congregational Church in Le Mars. He was also active in the Masonic fraternal order, a social organization.

Isaac Struble died suddenly in Le Mars from a diabetic seizure. He is buried in the Le Mars Cemetery. He was survived by his wife and four of his five children.

Images for kids

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  Three Struble headstones from left: daughter, Myrtle; wife, Adelaide; and Isaac.