Shifflett, J.G. 1880-1951

SHIFFLETT

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/29/2012 at 17:55:34

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Feb. 26, 1951

FRIENDS SAY
FAREWELL TO
J.G. SHIFFLETT

Close Of a Busy
And Useful Life Came
Thursday Night

J.G. Shifflett, dean of the Grinnell bar, good citizen and good friend, died Thursday night in a local hospital after an illness of several weeks, which culminated in a fatal attack of pneumonia. He had passed his 70th birthday on Nov. 22 and practically all of his active life had been spent in the practice of his profession in Grinnell.

Rev. Leland W. Mann, his pastor, conducted funeral services, simple, in accordance with his wish, at the Congregational church Saturday afternoon. Professor Norman Goodbrod provided appropriate organ music. The pall bearers, all close personal friends, were Homer Richardson, Dr. R.E. Brooker, Floyd Blandin, G. Lester Duke, Charles Manly and Carl E. Child.

STORY OF A LIFE

James Glenn Shifflett was born on the old Shifflett home place east of Grinnell on Highway 6 on Nov. 12, 1880, the son of Albert Franklin and Margaret Craig Corrough Shifflett. He received his early education in the Malcom schools, graduating from Malcom high school in 1897. He attended Grinnell college, George Washington university and Iowa university, where he received his bachelor of law degree in 1907. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi fraternity.

From 1902 to 1905 Mr. Shifflett was employed in the money order division of the postoffice in Washington, D.C. He began his law practice in Grinnell in 1908 and in 1910 formed a law partnership with T.J. Bray which continued until 1918 when he established his private law practice.

On Sept. 30, 1908, Mr. Shifflett was united in marriage with Grace E. Alt at her home in Johnson county. She survives him with daughters, Helen Ruth, now Mrs. John Ransom of Grinnell and Mary Marjorie, now Mrs. Charles B. Wilkinson of Norman, Okla. There are also four grandchildren.

DISTINGUISHED RECORD

Mr. Shifflett had a distinguished record of church and community service. People showed their confidence in him by electing him to various positions of trust and his life touched closely many community activities. At the time of his death he was a trustee of Grinnell college, moderator of the Congregational church, was active on the board of trustees of Stewart library and director of the Grinnell State bank. He had served as a member and past president of the school board of the Grinnell Independent District, past director and past treasurer of the Grinnell Community hospital, was a member and past president of the Poweshiek County Bar association, was a member of the American, Iowa State and 6th District Bar associations, of the Grinnell Country club, the Poweshiek club, the Order of the Eastern Star of which he was a past patron, the Elks lodge, Masonic lodge, Scottish Rite Masons, Royal Arch Masons, York Rite of which he was past high priest, and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine. He had served the Congregational church also as a member of its board of trustees, of which he was a past president.

LOVED OUT OF DOORS

Mr. Shifflett had a healthy love of the out of doors. He was an enthusiastic follower of the college and high school athletic teams and seldom missed a home game when it was possible for him to attend. He had extended his interest also to the University of Oklahoma football team, of which, his son-in-law, "Bud" Wilkinson, is the successful coach. His great outdoor hobby was fishing and he made regular summer trips to the Minnesota Lakes, where he found health and recreation.

AS A LAWYER

As a lawyer Mr. Shifflett exemplified the term "counsellor at law" in its best sense. He was not essentially a trial lawyer, but excelled as a wise counsellor and guide. People trusted him and he served them well. He was careful, discreet and friendly and he handled important matters with faultless technique and capability.

A true gentleman, an ardent sportsman, a lawyer of exceptional parts, his memory will long be green in the community where he lived and worked and of which he had made himself so integral a part.