Cheshire, Thomas A. 1854-1931

CHESHIRE, PAUL, RANDOLPH

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 2/24/2011 at 09:21:34

T.A. CHESHIRE ABLE MAN

His Death Last Week Puts a Close to An Active and Vigorous Career

KNOWN AS ATTORNEY AND FORMER STATE SENATOR

His father Published Montezuma Republican and He Practiced Law There

(From the Montezuma Republican)

Thomas A. Cheshire, aged 77, attorney and former state senator, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Clifford Paul of Anamosa. He had been sick for nine months.

Mr. Cheshire was born April 2, 1854, at Blue Point near Montezuma. After receiving his early education here, he was graduated from the law school at Ann Arbor, Mich.

In addition to his wife, Harriet Louise and the daughter at Anamosa, Mr. Cheshire is survived by two sons, Capt. Henry H., Fort Clark, Texas, and E.E., Chicago, and a sister, Mrs. Addie G. Randolph of Des Moines.

Funeral services were held at the farm home on federal highway No. 6, ten miles east of Grinnell, Sunday afternoon.

Thomas A. Cheshire was for many years a native resident of Montezuma, Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he practiced law until he located in Des Moines about 40 years ago. He was the son of John W. Cheshire, who published the Montezuma Republican for many years prior to 1877, at which time the elder Mr. Cheshire went south on account of the condition of his health, where he later died. Thomas A. Cheshire was a member of the Republican party and took an active part in the political campaigns in the county, state and nation. He was a forceful public speaker and for many years was in demand in the county during election campaigns. He continued in the practice of law and was an active member of the Progressive wing of the Republican party. He was a staunch supporter of A.B. Cummins in his campaigns for governor of the state and United States senator. Mr. Cheshire's ability was recognized by the Republicans of Polk county and he was elected to the state senate, serving with distinction. During his active life in Des Moines he was prominent in every movement for the betterment of social or economic conditions of the people and was an effective and popular representative of the people on and off the rostrum. He was a courteous and kindly gentleman, rarely resorting to caustic criticism, preferring construcitve argument in building up his theories of government rather than in tearing down the political structures of his opponents.

Mr. Cheshire had a statewide reputation and his influence over public affairs was always good and wholesome. He had many warm personal friends in Poweshiek county, who remember his many kindnesses and who read of his death in the Des Moines papers with sincere regret. Mr. Cheshire had farm interests in Poweshiek county, one of the farms about ten miles east of Grinnell, being known as the Cheshire farm home, where funeral services were held. Mr. Cheshire served his town, his county and state faithfully and well and earned the good will and confidence of his neighbors and many friends in Poweshiek county and the state of Iowa.

When Mr. Cheshire was editor of the Republican, the office was in the Davis building. He also maintained a law office over the print shop and combined the two enterprises with considerable ability.

He had been a frequent visitor in the city and maintained a close relationship with old friends and relatives and also made many new ones. He gave this office many pleasant calls and was always interested in the "Old Reliable."

Funeral services were conducted from the farm, now rented by the McCaws, and services at the grave were in charge of the Masons from Des Moines.