History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/John N. W. Rumple
JOHN N. W. RUMPLE was born near Fostoria, Ohio, March 4, 1841. In 1853 he came to Iowa in an emigrant wagon, taking up his residence on a farm near Geneva Bluffs, Iowa County. He attended the district school and in 1857 entered Ashland Academy in Wapello County. Later he continued his studies in Western College and the Normal Department of the State University, teaching meanwhile to defray his expenses in college. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Second Iowa Cavalry as a private, remaining in the service until 1865 when he was mustered out a captain. He participated in the battles of Island Number Ten, New Madrid, Corinth, Iuka, Grierson's Raid, Tupelo, Nashville and many minor engagements. Returning from the army Captain Rumple entered the law office of Hon. H. M. Martin of Marengo and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He was elected to the State Senate of the adjourned session of 1873, and served by reëlections in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth General Assemblies. For six years he was a member of the Board of Regents of the State University and was also one of the curators of the State Historical Society. In 1900 he was elected Representative in Congress from the Second District and declined reëlection on account of failing health. He died in Chicago in January, 1903.