OBITUARY ‐‐

Judge Charles W. Mullan, One of Leading Attorneys of Iowa, Died at Rochester Hospital

JUDGE MULLAN DIED THURSDAY AT ROCHESTER—Prominent Attorney, Politician and Judge in District Court, A True Pioneer.

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF IOWA FOR SIX YEARS

    Judge Charles W. M Mullan, judge of the district court, died Thursday afternoon at the Mayo Brothers’ hospital in Rochester, Minn. He underwent an operation three weeks ago but his health has been failing since last fall. Judge Mullan was eminent in the state as an attorney and was also prominent in politics, having held positions in the legislature and as state attorney general. He also held the offices of city attorney and county attorney.

    Judge Mullan was the only judge in forty years who died while serving a term in this district. From 1901 to 1917 he served as attorney general of the state. In 1913 provision was made by the state legislature for a third judge in this district and Judge Mullan was appointed by Governor Clark. For three years he was county attorney of Black Hawk county, being the first man to hold that position in this county, and he was also one of the early city solicitors. He was actively engaged in practicing law in this city until his appointment to the bench and during that time gained prominence as an attorney. He served one term as president of the state bar association. He was a director of the Iowa Life Insurance company of Waterloo.

    Surviving are the widow, Emma Hammond Mullan, and the following children: Charles H. Mullan, Sioux City; Mrs. Francis G. Blair, Des Moines; Alfred W. Mullan, Waterloo, and Mrs. Alice Walker, St. Clair, Mich. Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters: William H. Mullan, Aberdeen, S.D.; H. C. Mullan, Sioux City; M. F. Mullan, Pomeroy; Ia; J. W. Mullan, Tacoma, Wash,; Elizabeth M. Davidson, Waterloo, and two grandchildren. A nephew, R. M. Davidson, 166 Falls avenue, also survives. A sister died in infancy. Mrs. Davidson is the oldest of the family while Judge Mullan was second. Their birthdays came on the same day.

    The remains will arrive in this city today and funeral services will be held Sunday.

    The deceased was a member of the Elks and Knights Templar, local order. He was affiliated with First Congregational Church of this city. He was also a member of the G. A. R.

    The message announcing the death was received in district court yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock and both courts, presided over by Judge H. R. Boles and Judge G. W. Dunham, were adjourned at once. They will not convene again until Monday morning. Judge W. N. Birdsall also adjourned municipal court until Monday.

    Judge Mullan was born in Wayne county, Illinois, Dec. 31, 1845, being the son of Mrs. and Mrs. Charles Mullan. When he was six years of age his parents came to Black Hawk county. He was the second of a family of six children.

    Judge Mullan was a true pioneer of the county. When his parents moved here this section of the state was peopled by Indians and white families were few. As a pioneer resident of this city Judge Mullan also was one of the oldest. His residence in Waterloo was commenced when there was no city, his father having built the first house. He often stated that he would enjoy pioneering again.

    His life was spent in Waterloo and for the interests of this city and its citizens. No worthy fund for the general good of the public ever went unnoticed by him. He was ever ready to aid in promoting any project that would improve and better the city. He might aptly have been called a loyal friend of every Waterloo citizen and a lover of Waterloo.

Received Honors from Voters of Iowa. Judge Mullan enjoyed a notable career in politics and law. He was admitted to the bar in 1870 and from that time on was one of Black Hawk county’s leading attorneys.

    He began his education in the Waterloo public schools and finished a course in Upper Iowa university. He then read law under direction of Judge Orrin Miller. He was married the same year as his admittance to the bar.  Six years before his beginning active law practice he enlisted in the 47^th Iowa regiment as a private. He served with this regiment until (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO).

Source: The Waterloo Times-Tribune ,Waterloo, Iowa: Friday Morning, May 9, 1919; Front Page

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