Lucien Lester Ainsworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lucien Lester Ainsworth
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district |
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| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1877 |
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| Preceded by | William G. Donnan |
| Succeeded by | Theodore Weld Burdick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 21, 1831 New Woodstock, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 19, 1902 (aged 70) West Union, Iowa, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Margaret Elizabeth McCool |
Lucien Lester Ainsworth (born June 21, 1831 – died April 19, 1902) was an American lawyer and politician. He served one term as a U.S. Representative for Iowa's 3rd congressional district in northeastern Iowa. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
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Early Life and Family
Lucien Lester Ainsworth was born on June 21, 1831, in New Woodstock, New York. He was the oldest child of Parmenas Ainsworth and Keziah Webber. He had three younger siblings: Lucretia, Walter, and Harriet.
After his mother passed away, his father remarried Amanda Carpenter. They had another child, Ella Kezia. Lucien's family came from England. His great-grandfather, Nathan Ainsworth, fought in the American Revolutionary War.
On December 8, 1859, Lucien married Margaret Elizabeth McCool. They had five children together. Four of their children lived to be adults: James Walter, Lucretia Eleanor, Porter Lester, and Willard Joseph.
Education and Law Career
Young Lucien went to public schools and later attended the Oneida Conference Seminary in Cazenovia, New York. While studying, he also taught school. People said he was a very popular teacher.
In 1854, when he was 23, Lucien finished studying law. He was then allowed to practice law in Madison County, New York. That same year, he moved to Belvidere, Illinois, and started his law career there.
Just one year later, in 1855, Ainsworth moved to West Union, Iowa. He continued to practice law in West Union for the rest of his life.
Serving in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, Lucien Ainsworth joined the Union Army in 1862. He became a captain in Company C of the 6th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. He served for three years.
His company worked in areas where there were conflicts with Native American tribes in the northern Great Plains. He and his company took part in the Battle of Whitestone Hill in Dakota Territory. After leaving the Army, he went back to West Union and continued his law practice.
Political Journey
Lucien Ainsworth started his political career in 1856. He ran for the Fayette County Attorney position as a Democrat. However, he lost because most people in the county were Republicans.
Later, Ainsworth served in the Iowa Senate from 1860 to 1862. He represented Bremer and Fayette Counties. He also served as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from 1871 to 1873.
In 1874, Ainsworth ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented Iowa's 3rd congressional district. He became the first Democrat from Iowa elected to Congress since 1854. He served in the 44th United States Congress. He chose not to run for re-election in 1876. His term was from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1877.
Later Life and Legacy
Lucien Lester Ainsworth passed away in West Union, Iowa, on April 19, 1902. He is buried in the West Union Cemetery, alongside his wife, Margaret E. McCool Ainsworth.
Images for kids
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Lucien Lester Ainsworth and Margaret E McCool's headstone in West Union Cemetery.
