History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century/4/Cato Sells
CATO SELLS
CATO SELLS was born in Vinton, Iowa, October 6, 1859. Losing his father at an early age he was obliged to provide for the family, attending public school winters. He entered Cornell College at sixteen, supporting himself while pursuing his studies. In 1878 he began the study of law in the office of Charles A. Bishop and two years later was admitted to the bar and began practice at La Porte. In 1889 he removed to Vinton and soon became a prominent leader in the Democratic party, serving on the State Central Committee, and was for seven years secretary or chairman of the executive committee. In 1887 he was chairman of the committee, and in 1888 was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In 1892 he was again a delegate and served as secretary of the National Convention. In 1893 he was president of the Democratic State Convention. In 1894 he was appointed by President Cleveland United States Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa. In 1899 he was again president of the Democratic State Convention and in 1900 chairman of the Iowa delegation in the National Democratic Convention at Kansas City. Mr. Sells served on the staff of Governor Boies for four years and in 1892 was elected trustee of the State College of Agriculture.