BIOGRAPHICAL 33 



and did much to place the name of Iowa in the enviable place it 

 filled in those years. Major Lacey was an able lawyer, a force- 

 ful man in debate, a willing bearer of responsibility. He was 

 not backward in giving service. He had such capacity for work 

 that he could do many things. 



Hon. W. G. Ray in the Grinnell Herald: 



For more than a generation he has been one of Iowa's most 

 honored citizens. His life has been eminently a useful and a 

 helpful one. In all his life there has been little to criticise, but 

 much to praise. To us he has always been a typical statesman. 

 His private life was pure and simple, without stain. In public 

 life he was the soul of honor, a tireless, intelligent worker, a 

 statesman who was to place the public good above private advan- 

 tage. He had a depth of human sympathy seldom surpassed, 

 and his unfailing cheerfulness and loyalty to justice and right, 

 made and kept friends through his entire life. Probably no 

 man in public life during his generation had a broader or more 

 comprehensive view of public affairs and no man ever gave 

 more cheerfully of his strength and time to secure useful legis- 

 lation. 



Burlington (Iowa) Gazette (Democratic) : 

 Congressman Lacey was a member of the old guard of Repub- 

 licans, who rendered distinguished service to his country in many 

 respects. He was a credit to the state of Iowa. 



Cedar Rapids Gazette : 



Mr. Lacey was a fine type of gentleman whom it was a gen- 

 uine pleasure to know. Even his most pronounced political op- 

 ponents felt a deep-seated esteem for him — an esteem that 

 could not be blotted by all the turmoil of heated political cam- 

 paigns. He was one of the ablest of the old guard of Iowa 

 republicanism. And he was as uncompromising in his opposi- 

 tion to parties and principles in which he did not believe, as he 

 was able. 



James M. Mansfield, belonging to the Oskaloosa Her- 

 ald's staff, became a member of the Lacey household when 

 he was but a boy, and gives a delightful picture of Mr. 



