Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Noble, John Willock

NOBLE, John Willock, lawyer, b. in Lancaster, Ohio, 26 Oct., 1831. He was educated at Miami university, Ohio, and at Yale, where he was graduated in 1851, studied law, and was city attorney of Keokuk, Iowa, in 1859-'60. He became 1st lieutenant and adjutant in the 3d Iowa cavalry in August, 1861, and took part in the battle of Athens, Mo., as a private before he was mustered into service. He became judge-advocate of the Army of the Southwest, and afterward of the Department of Missouri, took part in the battle of Pea Ridge and the siege of Vicksburg, and served under Gen. Andrew J. Smith against Forrest, and under Gen. James H. Wilson in Alabama and Georgia. He was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers, 13 March, 1865, mustered out at Atlanta in August, and resumed the practice of law, serving as IJ. S. district attorney at St. Louis in 1867-'70, and receiving the thanks of Gen. Grant before the cabinet in 1869. He has won reputation in his profession, and has taken part in many important suits.