John F. Lacey: Champion for Birds and Wildlife
Biography

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John Fletcher Lacey was born on May 30, 1841 in New Martinsville, West Virginia. In 1855 his family moved to Iowa. They arrived at Keokuk by steamboat and then drove a team of horses across the mostly unbroken prairie to Oskaloosa, where they settled. Lacey considered this trip through the wild prairie as one of the most memorable times in his life. In 1856, the Lacey family moved to a farm in Mahaska County on the Des Moines River near Cedar Bluffs, a beautiful natural area of forests, cliffs, and stream. John began acquiring a keen interest in nature during his teenage years here on the farm. Evidently this was also the time he began to develop an environmental awareness and a deep concern for conservation matters. He studied diligently during these years at academies in Oskaloosa.

Lacey's parents

Lacey joined the Union Army on his 20th birthday, May 30, 1861. He served his country illustriously during the Civil War for four years. He attained the rank of Major before being discharged in July 1865. Upon arriving back home he immediately started practicing law and soon married his sweetheart of many years, Mattie Newell. He continued to practice law until his death on Sept. 29, 1913, establishing himself as a most respected, knowledgeable, and successful attorney.

Mattie and John had four children, but only daughters Berenice and Eleanor survived beyond infancy. Berenice described her father as the ideal husband and father. He loved his family and always took time to be with them, no matter how busy his schedule. When he was in Washington, one of his favorite activities was to take the family to the zoo or parks for a picnic on Sunday afternoon. Berenice remembered her father as always having had a great love for the outdoors and that it pained him to see the increasing degree of wanton destruction of forests and wildlife in the in the late 1800's. The family also traveled extensively. Lacey visited every state and many territories over the years, enriching his mind and soul along the way. He always looked forward to returning home to Iowa, though.

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