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CHARLES W. DYKINS

"This attorney and counselor at law is an honorable representative of two of the old and well known families of Fayette county and dates his birth from the 8th of November, 1873, being one of five children whose parents, Charles C. and Mary Dykins, were among the early pioneers of Auburn and Eden townships. Charles C. Dykins was one of the first merchants of West Union, also a leading man of affairs during the formative period of this part of the state, but having accumulated a competency, he discontinued business some years ago and is now living a life of retirement in that town, His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Strong, was reared in Auburn township, where her parents settled as early as 1850 or '51, having been among the first comers to that part of the county and prominent in all matters relating to the development and growth of the locality in which they made their home.

Of the five children born to Charles C. and Mary Dykins, two died in infancy, those living being as follows: Albert W., a prosperous farmer and stock raiser residing southwest of Ramona; Nora E., who lives with her parents, and Charles W., the subject of this review.

The early life of Charles W. Dykins on the family homestead in Eden township was similar in most respects to aht of the majority of lads reared under the wholesome influence of the farm, his experience including labor in the fields as soon as old enough for his efforts to be utilized to advantage, alternated by attendance in the public schools of Alpha and Waucoma during the fall and winter months. After finishing the prescribed branches of study, he took a special business course at Poughkeepsie, New York, following which he yielded to a long-felt desire by entering the law department of the University of Iowa, where he prepared himself for the legal profession. Mr. Dykins was graduated from the latter institution in the year 1898, shortly after which he became a partner of Hon. S. S. Ainsworth, of West Union, the firm thus constituted lasting until the death of the senior member, when a new partnership was established by the subject and W. J. Ainsworth. The latter gentleman retiring, the firm became known as Dykins and Estey, under which name it continued until December, 1904, when it was dissolved by mutual consent and since that time Mr. Dykins has been alone in the practice.

While well grounded in the principles of jurisprudence and successful in all phases of the practice, Mr. Dykins devotes special attention to abstract work, land titles, etc., in which he has built up an extensive and lucrative business, being recognized as an authority on all matters relating to real estate as well as a safe and reliable counselor in other branches of the law. His success has been pronounced and although among the younger members of the Fayette county bar he has a large clientele and is now one of the financially solid men of the town honored by his citizenship. He has a commodious and finely equipped office in the large business block which he owns.

Since engaging in the practice of his profession he has applied himself with more than ordinary diligence and assiduity, while his thorough knowledge of all he undertakes and loyalty to the interests of his clients have not only redounded greatly to his financial advantage, but have gained for him much more than local repute among the enterprising and successful lawyers of the northeastern part of the state.

Mr. Dykins takes an active interest in secret fraternal work and is an influential member of several societies founded upon this principle, being identified with Windsor Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, at Elgin, and Langridge Commandery, Knights Templar, at West Union, and the Order of the Eastern Star at the place last named. From time to time he has been honored with important offices in the above organizations and in his relations with his fellow men he has ever tried to exemplify the noble principles and precepts by which the order is governed.

A reader, a thinker and an intelligent observer, Mr. Dykins is well informed on the leading questions of the day and keeps fully abreast of the times on all matters in which the public is interested. He is a Republican in politics and though firmly grounded in the principles of his party and a judicious adviser in its councils, he cannot be termed a politician nor has he ever entered the arena as an office-seeker or aspirant for leadership. In addition to the property interests in West Union already referred to, he owns one of the beautiful and attractive homes of the town and has been a stockholder in the First National Bank of Hawkeye ever since its organization, besides owning an interest in one of the largest and most valuable business blocks in the latter place.

Mr. Dykins' home is presided over by an intelligent and accomplished lady, to whom he was united in the bonds of wedlock, November 8, 1900, and who, prior to that time, bore the name of Fannie L. Ainsworth. Mrs. Dykins is a daughter of Dr. E. A. Ainsworth, of West Union, and, as indicated above, possesses many sterling qualities of mind and heart and, with her husband, manifests a lively interest in the social life of the town, although of domestic tastes and a lover of her own fireside. The home of this estimable couple has been gladdened by the presence of one child, an interesting little daughter who answers to the name of Dora, and who bears the weight of her six years with the grace and dignity becoming one who realizes her importance as an influential factor in the domestic circle."

~transcribed for the Fayette Co IAGenWeb Project by Georgianna Gray