Richard Lord

RICHARD LORD, M. D.

"With tireless energy, keen perception and ability to devise the right thing at the right time, with power to plan and to perform, Dr. Richard Lord has not only won a prominent place in the medical profession but is today recognized as one of the most successful business men of Cedar Rapids. He was born in Mantorville, Dodge county, Minnesota, on the 28th of October, 1868, and is descended from one of the oldest New England families, his direct ancestors being Thomas and Dorothy Lord, who came with their family to America from England with the Rev. Hooker and his flock in 1635, becoming the founders of Hartford, Connecticut, and the family has taken a prominent place in the succeeding history of New England.

The Doctor is the son of Samuel and Louisa (Compton) Lord. Samuel Lord's birth occurred in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he continued to reside throughout his boyhood and youth. lie received a good classical education, attending Allegheny College at Meadville. and subsequently took up the study of law, being admitted to the Pennsylvania bar. He was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Compton, and in 1860 they removed to Minnesota, where he successfully engaged in the practice of law throughout the remainder of his life. As a republican he took a very active and prominent part in local politics and was called upon to represent his district in the lower house of the general assembly. Later he was elected to the senate and became a prominent member of that body. High honors came to him in professional lines also, for he was made judge of the fifth judicial district and was serving on the bench at the time of his death, which occurred in 1880. His wife had passed away the year previous. They were people of prominence in the city where they resided and were faithful members of the Episcopal church.

In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, of whom four are still living, namely: Samuel, a distinguished attorney of Kasson, Dodge county,

Minnesota, and at one time a member of the slate senate, has taken an active interest in political affairs and in 1900 was chairman of the Minnesota delegation at the republican national convention held in Philadelphia, and is at present serving as chairman of the state tax commission. Hugh 0. is also prominent in republican politics and is a leading attorney of Erie, Pennsylvania. Myrtle is an artist of ability who devoted several years to study in Europe and is now living at Meadville, Pennsylvania. Richard complete the family.

In the state of his nativity Dr. Lord grew to manhood and was given good educational advantages, attending the high schools of Mantorville and Kasson and in the fall of 1890 began preparation for his chosen profession under the preceptorship of his cousin. Dr. C. L. Chambers, late of Kasson. Minnesota, Subsequently he entered the medical department of the University of Minnesota, where he attended one course of lectures, and then matriculated at Rush Medical College in Chicago, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. After his graduation he did substitute practice in Michigan City and in Crary, North Dakota, for three or four months, and then located at Louisville. Nebraska, where he was engaged in practice until the summer of 1896. which witnessed his arrival in Cedar Rapids. Iowa. In the practice of his profession at this place he has met remarkable success, his patrons coming from many of the best families of the city.

Dr. Lord has not, confined his attention wholly to his professional labors, but has become extensively interested in several land companies, owning a large amount of property in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan, and individually has extensive holdings in the first named state. It has been largely through his efforts that about fifteen thousand acres of land have been opened up and developed in Minnesota between Two Harbors and Duluth. which is being colonized by the best class of American citizens, progressive, energetic men, who have done much toward making that region a most productive agricultural one. Situated in the Knife River valley, it is a country of unusual beauty and a soil of exceptional fertility. As aids to its development he has installed a fully equipped sawmill and the most modern machinery for clearing the land. The Doctor is also identified with various business enterprises, being associated with the Glenn Voting Machine Company, the Acme Fire Insurance Company, the LePebure Ledger Company, and has various other financial interests in Cedar Rapids.

In 189-1 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Lord and Miss Jessie A. Leedy. a daughter of Henry M. and Mary Elizabeth (Johnston) Leedy. of New Providence, Iowa. Her parents dying when she was but a baby, she with an older brother, John W., were reared in the family of Mr. and Mrs. John Lang, of YVasioja. Minnesota. This brother is now professor of science at Central Holiness University at Oskaloosa, Iowa. The family residence at 1580 Third avenue is one of the finest of the city's many fine homes. The Doctor is prominent in professional circles and is a member of the Linn County Medical Society and also belongs to the Iowa Union Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is supreme medical director of the Fraternal Bankers Reserve Society, in which capacity he has served since its organization. He is popular in fraternal as well as professional circles and is a member of Crescent Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M.; Trowel Chapter. No. 49, R. A. M.; Apollo Commandery. No. 2G; Iowa Consistory, No. 2, A. & A. S. R.; and El Kahir Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He also belongs to Maine Lodge. No. 613, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modem Woodmen of America and other societies.

Dr. Lord is one of the city's foremost citizens and belongs to the. Cedar Rapids Country Club and to the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club. Public-spirited and progressive, he is actively identified with various movements for the public good. He has given his attention to his professional interests with a success that is truly enviable. He has not cramped his interests by confining them to a few matters.

On the contrary his breadth of sympathy and his broad outlook upon life arc among the many things that make him an esteemed citizen of Linn county. He is an alert, enterprising business man. rejoicing in opportunities for activity and in improving all the opportunities that have come to him he has found the success that places him in a prominent position among the leading business and professional men of this part of the state.

As printed in History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.