IAGenWeb Project

Iowa History

       An IAGenWeb Special Project

 

Join the IAGenWeb Team

 

     

Iowa Official Registers

1909 - 1910

Pages 59 - 68

BIOGRAPHIES

OTHER STATE OFFICERS

OLIN H. MICHAEL, OTTUMWA. - Member of the Board of Control of state institutions, was born in Ansley, Nebraska, May 13, 1889, the son of H. W. and Elinor Michael.  Moved to Wapello county with his parents when he was nine months of age, where he has since resided.  Educated in the Wapello county public schools, the Ottumwa high school and the Ottumwa Commercial College.  Married Alice Spry, 1910.  Resided on a farm until twenty-three years of age and since that time engaged in the cigar business in Ottumwa.  Chairman, Wapello county republican central committee, 1922-1926.  Selected as member Iowa republican state central committee from the sixth district in 1928.  A republican.  

E. H. FELTON, INDIANOLA. - Member of the Board of Control of state institutions, was born in New Virginia, Warren county, Iowa, November 11, 1890, the son of Z. T. and Sara Felton.  Educated in the New Virginia schools.  Married Velda Frederick of New Virginia, March 24, 1913.  Father of five children, four sons and a daughter.  Is engaged in business at Indianola and New Virginia.  Chairman, Warren county republican central committee ten years.  Selected as member Iowa republican state central committee from the seventh district in 1930.  Member of the Methodist church, a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine.  A republican.  

HARRY C. WHITE, VINTON. -Member of the Board of Control, was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, October 6, 1869, of Irish parents.  When he was six months old his parents moved to Benton county and settled on a farm near Garrison.  Educated in the district schools, Tilford Academy, and Cornell College, Mount Vernon.  Taught school for several terms.  Now owns and operates a large stock farm.  For many years president of the Peoples Savings Bank of Garrison.  Was married in 1894.  Elected representative from Benton county in 1910.  Re-elected in 1912.  Elected senator in 1914, re-reelected in 1918, in 1922, and 1930.  Appointed a member of the board of control while serving as senator in the forty-fifth general assembly.  A democrat.  

THOMAS A. WAY, DES MOINES. - Member of the State Highway Commission, native of Illinois, was educated in the common schools and began his business career at Britt, Iowa.  For many years was active in the promotion of independent telephone companies.  Served in the Iowa legislature in the twenty-eighth general assembly.  Named member of the state highway commission in 1921.  Married.  One son, Captain Clyde C. Way, stationed in Porto Rico.  A daughter, Mrs. L. H. Lawrence, Glendale, Cal.  A republican.  

WILLARD D. ARCHIE, SIDNEY. -  Member of the State Highway Commission, was born in Graniteville, Mo., July 13, 1895.  Moved to Corning when four years of age, attended public schools there and graduated in the class of 1915.  Attended Simpson College, Indianola, two years, 1916 and 1917.  Served in World War as member of battery C., 339th F. A., enlisting September, 1917, and discharged as second lieutenant,  F. A., April, 1919.  Captain of Co. "K," 168th infantry, Iowa national guard, from 1920 to 1927.  At present in automobile business in Sidney.  Affiliated with Presbyterian church, Masonic lodge, A. T. O. fraternity, and American Legion.  Married and has two children, David and Louise.  A republican.  

CARL C. RIEPE, BURLINGTON. -  Member of State Highway Commission, was born in Burlington, Iowa, March 9, 1885.  Graduate of State University of Iowa.  Admitted to the bar, 1912.  United States commissioner, 1917-1925.  County attorney, Des Moines county, 1919 to 1921.  Member of the highway commission since 1926 under appointments by Governor Hammill and Governor Turner.  A democrat.  

O. J. DITTO, SIBLEY. -  Member of the State Highway Commission, was born at Onawa, Iowa, Jan. 26, 1894.  Attended school at Sibley and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Served in the World's War.  Married June 1st, 1921.  Served in the 43rd, 44th, and 45th General Assembly from Osceola county.  Appointed to Iowa State Highway Commission for term beginning July 1st, 1923.  A  Mason, Legionnaire and member of Rotary.  A democrat.  

HERBERT A. MAINE, WATERLOO. -  Member of State Highway Commission, was born in Newton, Iowa; moved to Des Moines, where his father, James Maine, engaged in construction work.  He attended the public schools in Des Moines and Iowa State College at Ames, Iowa.  He began his business career with his father in Des Moines, leaving for Waterloo in 1909, where he has engaged in general construction work.  During the World War he served as lieutenant in the U. S. navy, and was located in the New York district, having charge of concrete work.  He has served as director and president of national banks in Waterloo; is a member of the Consistory and Shrine, Elks, American Legion, American Society of Civil Engineers, State Society of Engineers, Waterloo Technical Society, Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, Master Builders of Iowa.  He served on building committee of the Memorial Union at Ames.  He played football on North Des Moines High School and Iowa State College teams.  A democrat.  

GEO. M. SIMPSON, WEST UNION. -  Member of the Board of Parole, was born at McAlester, Okla., September 25, 1879.  Came with his parents to a farm in Fayette county, Iowa, in March, 1888.  Was educated in the schools at Arlington, and Upper Iowa University at Payette, Iowa.  Was in grain and live stock business at Arlington ten years and was county recorder of Fayette county fourteen years.  Is affiliated with the Masonic orders.  Was appointed by Governor Hammill to state board of parole for term of six years ending June 30, 1931.  Reappointed by Governor Turner for a term of six years ending June 30, 1937.  Married Linnie Barnes, and has two daughters, Janet and Jean.  A republican.  

JOHN S. CROOKS, BOONE. -  Member of the Board of Parole, was born in Boone, Iowa, and has since been a continuous resident of that city.  Second son of Hon. George W. Crooks, one of the early attorneys of Boone county and a member of the seventeenth general assembly.  Both parents were among the earliest pioneers in this section of Iowa.  After finishing school he engaged in the abstract and loan business for fifteen years.  Secretary of the Boone chamber of commerce four years.  As the democratic party nominee, was elected and served as the mayor of Boone for four years.  Now engaged in the real estate and insurance business.  Married to Luella M. Parks.  Have two children, George W. and Mildred.  A democrat.  

MATT. D. COONEY, DUBUQUE. -  Member of the Board of Parole, was born and reared on a farm in Dubuque county.  Attended Columbia College, Dubuque, University of Iowa and Georgetown University.  Has practiced law in Dubuque continuously since 1912, with the exception of time  spent in the World War.  Member of Knights of Columbus, Elks, Modern Woodmen and American Legion.  Served in the prosecuting attorney's office.  Dubuque county, for six years and in the city attorney's office for six years.  Married to Margaret Whelan.  Has six children, John L. Margaret Elizabeth, M. D., Jr., Terrence W., Judith Ann and Sheila Therese.  Served as senator from Dubuque county in the forty-fourth and forty-fifth general assemblies and was democratic leader and president pro tempore in the forty-fifth.  Was appointed to the Board of Parole during the session of the forty-fifth.  A democrat.  

DR. J. W. REYNOLDS, CRESTON. -  Chairman, State Board of Assessment and Review.  Physician by profession.  Appointed to the board in 1929, re-appointed 1931 for six-year term.  A democrat.  

JOHN W. FOSTER, GUTHRIE CENTER. -  Member of State Board of Assessment and Review, was born and reared in Guthrie county, Iowa, and has never had a home elsewhere.  Attended country schools and the State College at Ames, and graduated from the law department of Iowa State University.  Taught several terms of school; served six years as county auditor of Guthrie county, and was state senator from Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas district in the thirty-sixth, thirty-seventh and thirty-eight general assemblies.  Became law partner of the late Judge Applegate in 1886.  Judge Applegate retired from the firm a few years later and became district judge.  For more than forty years thereafter the business of the law firm was carried on in the name of John W. Foster, and he is now associated with his son, Carl S. Foster, in the law firm of Foster and Foster.  Has been largely interested in farming and banking.  Was appointed a member of the State Board of Assessment and Review by Governor Hammill, July 15th, 1929, and re-appointed by Governor Clyde Herring, July 1st, 1923.  A republican.  

LOUIS E. RODDEWIG, DAVENPORT. -  Member of State Board of Assessment and Review, was born March 4, 1880, in Davenport, Iowa, where he has made his home continuously.  Attended State University of Iowa, graduating with degree of LL.B. in June, 1906, elected police magistrate 1906 and served until 1916.  Elected mayor of city of Davenport and served from April, 1924, to April, 1928.  Practiced law in Davenport, Iowa, for the past twenty-seven years.  Member of American Bar association; Iowa State Bar association and Scott County Bar association.  While at the university was a member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity and the Phi Delta Theta fraternal society.  Other affiliations, Knight Templar, Scottish Rite Mason, Shrine, Knights of Pythias, B. P. O. Elks, Moose, Eagles, and member of Episcopal church.  Appointed to the State Board of Assessment and Review by Governor Herring, July 1, 1933, for a six-year term.  A democrat.  

GEORGE T. BAKER, DAVENPORT. -  Member of State Board of Education, was born, July 9, 1857, on a farm in Iowa county, Iowa.  He was educated in teh district schools of Iowa, Hall's school for boys, at Ellington, Conn., McClain's academy at Iowa City, and the State University of Iowa.  He remained one year at the state university and then completed four years of special work in civil engineering at Cornell University, Ithaca, class of 1879.  During the years  from 1879 to 1889 he was engaged in railway location, construction and maintenance work, after which he was chief engineer for the high bridges built across the Mississippi river at Muscatine and Clinton, and consulting engineer of the high bridge at Winona, Minn.  From 1892 until January, 1910, he was engaged in general construction work on railways, paving, sewerage, water works, and heavy building construction.  Served as a member of the general assembly in the twenty-sixth regular and special session, was elected mayor of the city of Davenport in 1898, serving two years, and was delegate0at-large to the democratic national convention in 1900.  Member State Board of Education since 1909.  A democrat. ESKIL. C. CARLSON, DES MOINES. -  Member of the State Board of Education, was born in 1885.  LL.B. 1908 Drake University law school; LL.M.  1909 Yale University law school.  Practiced alone, Des Moines, Iowa, 1909-1910.  Legal department, city of Des Moines, assistant solicitor, 1910-1914; solicitor, 1914-1916.  Municipal judge, Des Moines, Iowa, 1916-1918.  A. E. F. - Y. M. C. A. 1918-1919.  Solicitor, city of Des Moines, 1926-1928.  Lecturer, A. I. B. Des Moines chapter, 1920-1923; subject, banks and banking.  Instructor in law, Drake University law school, since 1920; subject, practice court.  member, American Bar association, Iowa State Bar association, Polk County Bar association.  President, Des Moines Y. M. C. A.:  president, Iowa conference Lutheran brotherhood; secretary, Brotherhood of Augustana Synod; member, finance committee, Augustana Synod.  Member, general board, national council Y. M. C. A.  Firm, Lappen, Carlson & Clarke, since 1931.  A republican.  

ANNA B. LAWTHER, DUBUQUE. -Member of State Board of Education, born in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of William Lawther and Annie Elizabeth (Bell) Lawther.  Her grandparents were among the earliest settlers of the state.  Received early education in public schools of Dubuque and prepared for college at Miss Stevens' school, Germantown, Pa.  Received her bachelor of arts degree from Bryn Mawr college college in 1897.  The year following her graduation she became assistant bursar of Bryn Mawr college.  From 1904 to 1905 she was the warden of Marion Hall, Bryn Mawr college, and from 1907 to 1912 she was the secretary of Bryn Mawr college.  During the campaign for equal suffrage in the spring of 1916, Miss Lawther was the chairman of the Dubuque County Equal Suffrage league and in the autumn of the same year was elected president of the Iowa Equal Suffrage association and was twice re-elected to that position.  She was a member of the state council of defense during the war.  When presidential suffrage was granted to the women of Iowa by the thirty-eight general assembly, Miss Lawther was made the democratic national committeewoman for Iowa.  Was sent as a delegate to the democratic national convention at San Francisco in 1920, and to the democratic national convention in New York City in 1924.  Miss Lawther was an alumnae director of Bryn Mawr college from 1923 to 1928.  A democrat.  

JOSEPH H. ANDERSON, THOMPSON. -  Member of the State Board of Education, was born in Winnebago county, Iowa.  Received his education in the rural schools of his home county and in the Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, from which institution he graduated in 1898.  For two years after graduation he was principal of the schools at Fairbank, Iowa.  Since that time he has been engaged in farming except from January 1, 1905, to January 1, 1913, during which time he was clerk of the district court.  Was elected to the legislature in 1914 and served continuously in the house until 1923, being speaker of the house in the fortieth and fortieth extra general assemblies.  Appointed by Governor Turner member of the state board of education in 1931.  A republican.  

HARRY M. NEAS, SIGOURNEY. -  Member of the State Board of Education, was born in Sigourney, Iowa, September 1, 1883, the son of A. M. and Mary Mackey Neas.  He was educated in the Sigourney public schools, and graduated from the state university law school in 1906, and has since been associated with his father in the retail lumber business.  He was one of the organizers and first president of the Sigourney library board.  Served twelve years as a member and seven years as president of the Sigourney board of education and one term as a member of the Keokuk county board of education.  Two terms as the sixth district member of the republican state central committee.  Married Byril M. Jones, of Oskaloosa, Iowa, and he has one daughter, Gertrude Edith.  Appointed to State Board of Education in 1931 by Governor Turner.  A republican.  

THOMAS W. KEENAN, SHENANDOAH. -  Member of the State Board of Education, was born on farm near Batesville, Ohio, March 3rd, 1875.  Graduated from Batesville high school 1890, and from Northern Indiana Normal School, Valparalso, Indiana, B. S. degree, 1897.  Taught mathematics Lincoln Normal University, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1897-1898, and at Shenandoah, Iowa, 1899-1904.  During this time studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1904 and has practiced law in Shenandoah ever since then.  Served in France with Y. M. C. A. October, 1918, to May, 1919.  Delegate democratic national convention, New York City, 1924.  Member State Board of Education since July 1st, 1931.  A democrat.  

S. GALVIN, HAMPTON. -  Member of the State Board of Education, was born in Marion county, Iowa, August 7, 1878, the oldest son of J. A. and Margaret Haynes Galvin.  Attended country schools in Marion and Calhoun counties, graduated Knoxville (Iowa) high school 1897.  Attended Northern Illinois Normal School (Dixon, Ill.) and Highland Park College, Des Moines.  Married Ethel Craig, of Knoxville, in 1899.  Has two children, Ruth and Richard.  Started business career as stenographer and accountant for the Iowa Pipe & Tile Co., Des Moines, in 1899, and with the exception of three years as assistant manager of the John Deere Plow Co. of Moline, has been in the clay products business continuously since 1899.  Has been secretary and general manager of the Sheffield (Iowa) Brick & Tile Co. since 1923.  Was the democratic nominee for the office of State Railroad Commissioner in 1928.  Is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Christian Science Church and the Hampton Rotary Club.  Is chairman of the FRanklin county democratic central committee and chairman of the executive committee of the Iowa Manufacturers Association.  Was appointed by Gov. John Hammill to succeed Claude R. Porter as a member of the State Board of Education in 1929 for the term expiring June 30, 1931.  Reappointed by Gov. Clyde L. Herring for a six-year term beginning July 1, 1933.  A democrat.  

HENRY C. SHULL, SIOUX CITY. -  Member of the State Board of Education, was born January 16, 1892, at Sioux City, Iowa, son of Deloss Carlton and Frances Edith Shull.  Was educated in Sioux City public schools and graduated from the Sioux City central high school in June, 1910.  Collegiate education University of Chicago (Ph.D. 1914).  Legal education Harvard Law School and University of Chicago Law School (J.D. 1916).  Practiced law in Sioux City, Iowa, since June, 1916, except for two years in the United States navy during the World War.  Now a member of the law firm of Shull & Stilwill.  Married in August, 1921, to Alice Lincoln, Alton, Iowa.  A member of the American Legion, the Masonic fraternity, and the First Baptist church.  A member of the Iowa State Bar Association and American Bar Association.  Appointed to the State Board of Education by Governor Hammill in March, 1925, to fill out the unexpired term to July 1, 1925, of Charles R. Brenton, deceased, and the long term, July 1, 1925, to July 1, 1931.  Re-appointed July 1, 1933, by Governor Herring.  A republican.  

CORA E. SIMPSON, DECORAH. -  Member of the State Board of Education, was born at Lansing, daughter of Chas. Carrol and Sarah Bates, one of the pioneer families of northeastern Iowa.  Moved to Decorah with her parents when a young girl  and has made this city her home all her life except for a few years in Spokane, where her husband died.  She is a graduate of Decorah high school, was a student at the State University of Iowa and later studied voice in Chicago.  She taught several years in Decorah public schools and has always kept superintendent's office and in recent years has been one of the judges for the rural contests.  For many years served as vice-chairman of the democratic central committee.  A member of the D. A. R., Ladies of the G. A. R. and Rebekah Lodge.  She has one daughter, Mrs. L. W. Buckton.  A democrat.  

WILLIAM G. NOTH, DES MOINES. -  Member of the Finance Committee of the State Board of Education, was born in Davenport, Iowa, and resided there continuously until his appointment as a member of the finance committee of the Iowa State Board of Education in 1931.  Educated in public and commercial schools of Davenport; trained in banking and associated with different banks there.  Was elected clerk of the district court for a period of two years; and city treasurer of Davenport for eight years.  Served in the World War.  A democrat.  

W. H. GEMMILL, DES MOINES. -  Secretary of the State Board of Education, was born in Ontario, Canada, March 14, 1871.  In September of that year his parents moved to Keokuk county, Iowa, and settled on a farm near South English.  He attended the rural schools and graduated from the South English high school in 1889.  He entered the Iowa State college at Ames and graduated in November, 1894, with the degree of bachelor of science.  During these years, he taught several terms in country schools.  He has taken about two years of advanced study in education, history and economics in Highland Park college, Drake university and Des Moines college.  He was principal of schools at Gibson, Iowa, two and one-half years; county superintendent of Keokuk county four years; superintendent of schools at Dallas Center 1901 to 1911, and superintendent of the Carroll schools 1914 to 1917, and resigned to become secretary of the board of education.  He was married in 1895 to Birdie D. Richards.  They have four children, Agnes, John, Helen and Iva.  A republican.  

WILLIAM R. BOYD, CEDAR RAPIDS. -  Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board of Education, is a native of Iowa, having been born in Lisbon, Linn county, May 19, 1864.  His boyhood was spent in Tipton, Iowa, where he attended the public schools.  He was graduated from the college of liberal arts of the State University in June, 1889, having earned his way by teaching school and clerking in a store.  He was principal of the school at Mechanicsville, Iowa, two years.  He was editor of the Tipton Advertiser two years, editor and associate editor of the Cedar Rapids Republican sixteen years.  Mr. Boyd served as postmaster of Cedar Rapids from 1899 to 1909, resigning this office to accept his present position.  He has long been interested in educational matters, and was for several years a member of the board of trustees of Coe college, and for a time lecturer on political economy in that institution.  Mr. Boyd is a director of the American Trust and Savings Bank, and president of the Perpetual Savings and Loan association, both located in Cedar Rapids.  Member board of trustees Cornell College, Mt. Vernon.  A republican.  

CHARLES B. MURTAGH, ALGONA. -  State Comptroller, was born at Waverly, Bremer county, Iowa, November 14, 1881, the son of James X. and Mercy L. Murtagh.  Moved to Shell Rock, Butler county, Iowa, in April, 1884, and graduated from high school there in 1898.  Moved to Kossuth county in April, 1899k, where for one year was bookkeeper and assistant in Fenton State Bank.  Moved to Ringsted in Emmet county in 1900, where he was first cashier and later president of Ringsted State Bank for many years.  While at Ringsted he served on the town council and as mayor.  Was also elected state representative from Emmet county and served in the 34the general assembly.  Moved to Algona in Kossuth county in March, 1912, and for more than fifteen years was cashier of the County Savings Bank.  He is president of Kossuth County Agricultural Society.  He was married in 1904 to Edna R. Cratty.  They have five children:  Helen, wife of T. C. Hutchison, living at Iowa City, Iowa; Ann, wife of Mell A. Peterson, living at Bremerton, Washington; James, of Washington, D. C.' and Betty and Jean at home.  A democrat.  

CHARLES H. GRAHL, DES MOINES. -  Adjutant General, was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, September 23, 1894.  Attended public schools  in Council Bluffs and Des Moines, graduating from west high school, Des Moines, Iowa, in 1913.  Enlisted in company "B," 3rd Iowa infantry June 24, 1916.  Served overseas with 168th infantry.  Appointed 2nd lieutenant, infantry, July 9, 1918.  Served overseas from November 14, 1917, to June 27, 1919.  Appointed captain, infantry, Iowa National Guard, March 29, 1921.  Resigned July 25, 1921.  Appointed captain, infantry, Iowa National Guard, January 7, 1925.  Promoted lieutenant colonel, adjutant general's department, July 5, 1927, and assigned to the state staff, Iowa National Guard, as assistant Adjutant General.  Promoted to brigadier general, Adjutant General's department, and appointed Adjutant General of Iowa, January 16, 1932.  Married June 12, 1923, to Mary Magdaline Phillips and has two sons, Charles Phillips and Robert Louis.  Member of Argonne post, American legion and the service men's club of Des Moines, Iowa.  

J. H. HENDERSON. -  Commerce Counsel, born in 1848 in Warren county, Iowa, on the present site of the town of Ackworth, and has ever since resided in Warren county.  Received his education in the public schools and in college at Indianola.  Admitted to practice law, 1870.  Secretary of the board of trustees of Simpson college from 1869 until 1919, during which time was and is now a member of the board of trustees of that institution.  Delegate to the republican national convention in 1904.  Elected as circuit judge to fill vacancy in 1885.  Elected district judge of the fifth judicial district in 1886.  Re-elected in 1890, and again in 1894.  Resigned January 1, 1896.  In 1901 formed a partnership with his son and continued the practice of law under the firm name of Henderson and Henderson until his appointment as commerce counsel July 1, 1911.  Re-appointed 1915, 1919 and 1923.  Term ended July 1, 1927.  Re-appointed April 1, 1928, to fill vacancy, term ending July 1, 1931.  Re-appointed and confirmed for term beginning July 1, 1931.  Member of the Methodist church; the Odd Fellows; Masons; Knight Templars; the Consistory; Des Moines club; and Professional Men's club.  A republican.  

D. W. BATES, ALBIA. -  Superintendent of Banking, was born January 16, 1873; raised on a farm and attended the grade public schools.  On April 13, 1893, he entered the law office of L. T. Richmond in Albia, Iowa, where he studied law for three years, during which period he taught 18 months in the country schools.  On May 13, 1896, he was admitted to the bar.  On January 1, 1897, he was appointed deputy clerk of district court, Monroe county, Iowa.  On February 8, 1899, he was appointed clerk of courts and served until January 1, 1901.  In January, he entered the practice of law.  In 1908, he was elected county attorney of Monroe county, Iowa, and served six years.  Engaged in banking business in 1906, and has been connected with the business since that time acting as executive officer of the institutions with which he was connected.  Acted as director of state banks under S. F. 111 from January 23, 1933, until July 1, when he became Superintendent of Banking, under an appointment from Governor Herring.  A democrat.  

EDWARD W. CLARK. -  Commissioner of Insurance, former senator from the forty-third district, including Cerro Gordo, Franklin and Hancock counties from 1928 to 1931.  born in Villisca, Iowa.  Lived afterwards in Mason City.  Veteran of the Spanish-American War and World War..  Married. a Republican.  

WALTER L. BIERRING, DES MOINES. -  Commissioner of Health, was born in Davenport, Iowa, July 15, 1868, of Danish parentage.  Education:  Davenport high school.   University of Iowa graduate of medicine in 1892.  Graduate studies Heidelberg, Vienna and Pasteur institute in Paris 1892-93-94-95-96 and 1901.  Professor of pathology and bacteriology State University of Iowa 1893-1903.  Professor of medicine, State University of Iowa, 1903-1910.  Professor of medicine, Drake University, 1910-1913.  President Iowa State Board of Health and Board of Medical Examiners 1913-21.  President Iowa State Medical Society, 1908.  President-elect.  American Medical Association, 1933.  Appointed Commissioner of Health by Governor Herring, July, 1933.  

BURGESS WILSON GARRETT, LEON. -  Clerk of the Supreme Court, was born on a farm in Van Buren county, Iowa, February 24, 1872.  When a small child his parents moved to Davis county, and later, to Decatur county.  Mr. Garrett was educated in the public schools, Simpson college and St. Joseph university, from which institution he graduated.  He taught school for a number of years, being principal of the Decatur high school.  Has been chairman of the county central committee; member of the senatorial and congressional committees.  He was pardon secretary under Governor Cummins.  Served in that capacity until July 4, 1907, when he became the first secretary of the board of parole.  He resigned to become a candidate for the office he now holds.  During his first term the office was made appointive; he has been five times appointed by the supreme court and is now serving his sixth term.  Was temporary chairman of the republican state convention in 1916.  Was temporary and permanent chairman of the state judicial convention in 1928.  Presided over a great convention of his church in Kansas City in October, 1928.  A republican.  

CHARLES DUMAS O'DONNELL, DES MOINES. -  Superintendent of Printing and ex-officio Secretary of the State Printing Board, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and at an early age became a resident of Iowa.  Graduated from St. Ambrose Academy, and then became a disciple of the "art preservative of arts,"  i. e., a printer.  Was employed on weekly and daily newspapers and in the office of the state printer as proofreader for a number of years, later as superintendent of a commercial and book publishing plant, and in recent years as manager and proprietor of a printing office.  His interest in public affairs was largely manifested by activities in connection with the democratic party organization, having acted for many years as precinct committeeman, delegate to practically all county conventions for more than twenty years; a similar record for state conventions, and has participated in five national democratic conventions.  Is an amateur gardener, and has served as president of the Midwest Peony and Iris Society.  During the World War was volunteer K. of C. secretary at Camp Dodge.  Is a charter member of the Ursa Major Society, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, and the Typographical Union.  A democrat.

F. R. WHITE. -  Chief Engineer of the Iowa State Highway Commission, was born May 21, 1884, near Seima, Van Buren county, Iowa.  Graduated from Keosauqua high school in 1902.  Graduated from the civil engineering department, Iowa State College, in 1907.  Served as rodman and instrumentman on the Key West extension of the Florida East Coast Railroad from June, 1907, to February, 1908.  Served as inspector on highway bridge construction under the Iowa State Highway Commission from July, 1908, to December, 1910, and from June to August, 1911.  Served as instrumentman and chief or party on drainage surveys under the Morgan Engineering Company of Memphis, Tennessee, from December, 1910, to May, 1911.  Served as field engineer, Iowa State Highway Commission, August, 1911, to March, 1915.  Served as road engineer, Iowa State Highway Commission, March, 1915, to April, 1919.  Served as Chief Engineer of the Iowa State Highway Commission, April, 1919, to the present time.  In 1923 vice-president, and in 1924 president of the American Association of State Highway Officials.  From 1924 to date, member executive council American Association of State Highway Officials.  On October 31, 1912, married Miss Mary M. DeHart of Keosauqua and has two children, Margaret and James.

ULYSSES GRANT WHITNEY. -  Reporter of the Supreme Court and Code Editor, was born July 10, 1864, on a farm near Union, Iowa.  Was admitted to the bar in June, 1890.  Was county attorney in Woodbury county for ten years.   Was a member of the thirty-fourth and thirty-fifth general assemblies from Woodbury county.  Was appointed by the judges of the supreme court to his present position in 1914.  Was a member of the Iowa code commission in 1919.

A. B. FUNK. - Iowa Industrial Commissioner, was born in Adams county, Illinois, January 12, 1854.  Came to Hamilton county, Iowa, in 1865.  Identified with the Spirit Lake Beacon for thirty-five years.  Established the Enterprise at Flandreau, Dakota, in 1878.  In 1879 elected first mayor of Flandreau, and returning to Spirit Lake, was in the same year chosen as its first mayor.  Postmaster at Spirit Lake, 1882-5.  Delegate to republican national convention in 1884.  State senator 1888-1900, and for three sessions was president pro tempore and chairman of ranking committee.  President capitol improvement commission by appointment of Governor Cummins.  For six years vice-president of state board of education under two appointments by Governor Carroll.  Resigned to accept present position upon resignation of Hon. Warren Garst, January 1, 1916, by appointment of Governor Clarke.  Re-appointed by Governors Harding, Hammill and Turner.  A republican.

FRANK E. WENIG, SPENCER. - Labor Commissioner, was born November 5, 1887, at New Albin, Iowa.  When he was sixteen months of age, his parents, Jacob and Henrietta Wenig, moved to Inwood in Lyon county.  He received his education in the public schools there and since 1907 has been employed by the Milwaukee railroad.  Served overseas during the World War and has been post commander of the American Legion at Spencer, district commander and state vice-commander.  Married and has two children:  Ralph and Carolyn.  He has been a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers for twenty-six years and has served on state labor legislative committees as well as being delegate to many labor conventions.  Elected as a state representative from Clay county in 1932 and was appointed Labor Commissioner by Governor Herring during the  session of the forty-fifth general assembly.  A democrat.

JOHN WILLIAM STROHM. - State Fire Marshal, was born in Clinton county, Iowa, July 16, 1887.  He received his education in the Lyons public schools, and commenced his political career in 1914, when he was elected county recorder, serving in that office two terms.  In 1918, elected county auditor, and at the time of his appointment to the office of fire marshal was serving his fifth consecutive term as auditor.  Is married.  Affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic Lodge, the DeMolay Consistory No. 1, A. A. S. R., and of the Order of the Mystic Shrine.

ROSS EWING, DES MOINES. -  Secretary of the State Executive Council, was born in Ganger, Iowa.  Married Winifred Kiester, Des Moines, September 15, 1920, who passed away October 12, 1925.  Has one daughter, Phyllis Ann, 11 years old.  Associated with Herring Motor Company for ten years, and with Herring-Wissler company six years as auditor and office manager.  Member of Masonic Lodge.

JOHNSON BRIGHAM, DES MOINES. -  State Librarian, was born in Cherry Valley, New York, March 11, 1846.  Educated at Hamilton College and Cornell University, class of 1870.  Received degree of doctor of literature from Drake University, Des Moines, in 1923.  Editor, Cornell Era, 1869; editor, Cedar Rapids Republican, 1882-1892; U. S. consul at Aix la Chapelle, Germany, 1893; editor and publisher Midland Monthly, Des Moines, 1894-1899; State Librarian of Iowa since 1898; chairman Iowa Library Commission since 1900; vice-president Farm Property Insurance Company, Des Moines; Iowa director of War Service Commission, American Library Association, 1917-1918.  Author of An Old Man's Idyll, 1905: The Banker in Literature, 1910; History of Des Moines, 1911; A Library in the Making, 1912; Life of James Harian, State Historical Society, 1913; Iowa - Its History and Its Foremost Citizens, 1915-18; The Many-Sided Omar, 1923; The Sinclairs of Old Fort Des Moines, a historical novel, 1927; Individuality in Letters from Queen Elizabeth to Queen Anne, 1933.  Contributor to Century, Forum, Chautauquan, Iowa Journal of History and Politics, Palimpsest, and many other magazines.

EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN. -  Curator, son  of Samuel A. and Marinda E. (Rubey) Harian; born of Kentucky Quaker ancestry at Spartanburg, Indiana, February 28, 1869; brought to a farm in Cedar township, Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1873; attended "Morris" district and Keosauque high school, graduating 1889, and Drake University, completing the law course with degree of LL.B., A.M.; admitted to the bar June, 1896;  practiced law at Keosauqua ten years, serving as county attorney 1898-1902; appointed by Charles Aldrich assistant curator of the historical department of Iowa, 1907; acting curator after death of Mr. Aldrich, March, 1908, until appointed curator by Governor Carroll, October 1, 1909; elected curator by board of trustees, June, 1913;  honorary member Iowa chapter, American Institute of Architects:  honorary member National Sculpture society; member American Historical association; a founder and member of board of directors.  Mississippi Valley Historical association; member and secretary Iowa Flag commission; member and secretary Allison Memorial commission; member Iowa Board of Conservation, Plant Life commission; member and director Des Moines Fine Arts association; member American Civic association and delegate to Germany, France and England, tour of 1913.

WILLIAM J. CASEY, KNOXVILLE. -  Member of the State Printing Board, was born in Cambridge, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1861, only child of James K. and Hannah J. Casey.  In 1867 the family removed to Knoxville, Iowa.  Learned the printer's trade and worked at the case until in 1884, when he and the late Frank Steunenberg, afterward governor of Idaho, leased the Marion County Express, which they changed to Knoxville Express, and of which Mr. Casey has continued as editor to this time.  Mr. Casey married Lena D. Parks, June 15, 1887, and they are the parents of three sons.  James C. and William D. are associated with their father in the publication of the Express; John H. is associate professor of journalism in the University of Oklahoma.  Mr. Casey was delegate from the capital district to the democratic national convention of 1912; a delegate-at-large in 1920 and again a delegate from the district in the Madison Square Garden convention of 1924.  He was postmaster of Knoxville, 1915-1923.  A democrat.

JOHN I. LONG, MISSOURI VALLEY. -  Member of the State Printing Board, was born in Dubuque county November 7, 1870.  Newspaper publisher at Missouri Valley in Dubuque county November 7, 1870.  Newspaper publisher at Missouri Valley since 1922.  Married, six children and wife all living.  Veteran of Spanish-American War.  Appointed to present position by Governor Turner, July 1, 1932.  A republican.

 

back to History Index