BIOGRAPHIES
Iowa State Representatives
Iowa Official Register 1927-1928

pg. 4

John F. Kline
Representative from Davis county, was born in Wapello county, March 15, 1873. He attended the country schools and the southern Iowa Normal at Bloomfield and Highland Park college at Des Moines. He taught in the country schools in Wapello and Davis counties and spent the summer seasons farming. He located in Davis county in the spring of 1896. He was married to Miss Susie Darnielle of Fabius township, Davis county, on September 4, 1901, and soon afterward moved to Bloomfield, where he has since made his home except for a portion of the year 1910, when he lived at Newton, Iowa, and was owner and publisher of the Newton Herald. During the years he has resided in Bloomfield he has been actively engaged in the merchandising of fuel, flour, feed and groceries. He is a member of the Christian church and has been on the official board of the church for more than twenty years. He is a democrat, has served as county chairman of that party several years and also takes an interest in the affairs of the party of the district and state.

Irving H. Knudson
Representative from Hamilton county, was born April 27, 1896, at Jewell, Iowa. Received his education in the Jewell public schools, the Jewell Lutheran college, and the State University of Iowa. In February, 1919, he enlisted as a private in the World War, and was discharged in April, 1919, as sergeant first class. Upon leaving the service, he took a position with the State Bank at Jewell, and at the same time became a partner with his father, Gilbert Knudson, in the general and live-stock auction business. In the fall of 1921, he was married to Miss Leafy Bergum of Westby, Wisconsin. They have one son, Irving Howard, born October, 1922. He is a member of the Lutheran church; was president of the Jewell community club for two terms; is also a member of the Hawkeye Post No. 550 of the American Legion. Returning from the forty-first general assembly, he moved to Ellsworth, Iowa, where he took a position as vice president of the State Bank of Ellsworth. During the same year he was elected president of the Hamilton county bankers association and elected a director in the State Bank of Jewell, Jewell, Iowa. He was elected state representative in 1924 and reelected in 1926. A republican in politics.

Clarence A. Knutson
Representative from Cerro Gordo county, born in Clear Lake, Iowa, June 16, 1885. Has resided in Cerro Gordo county all his life. Educated in the public schools of Clear Lake and the Memorial university at Mason City. Has been engaged in the hardware business in Clear Lake twenty years. On June 2, 1908, was united in marriage with Miss Hazel Irene Wood of Mason City, Iowa. Elected in 1918 mayor of Clear Lake and served two terms. Past master Masonic lodge, past president of the Rotary club, past chancellor commandery of Knights of Pythias, past president of the Iowa Retail Hardware Association, member of the consistory, Knights Templar and shrine (Az-Ga-Zig). Republican in politics.

Theodore Krouse
Representative from Wayne county, born in Allerton, Iowa, June 6, 1881. Has resided near Allerton all his life. Educated in the public school of Corydon, Iowa. Engaged in farming. Was married in 1904 to Hallie Logan of Allerton. They have five children, three girls, Garnet, Frances and Jessie, and two boys, Theodore and Burl. Has been active in community affairs, having been county and township president of the farm bureau. He is a Mason. A democrat in politics. Elected representative in 1926.

E.P. Laughlin
Representative from Fremont county, was born May 10, 1881, on the farm he now owns where his father first broke the prairie. Completed Imogene public school and the Christian Brothers college in St. Joseph, Missouri. Taught school in Fremont county in 1900, 1901 and 1902. Was married April 20, 1909, to Theresa O'Brien. They have three children, Matthew, Lucille and Louis. Farmer and stock raiser. Started raising pure bred polled Shorthorn cattle in 1908 and has improved and enlarged the herd. In politics a democrat.

E.M. Lichty
Representative from Black Hawk county, was born in Orange township, Black Hawk county, Iowa, February 2, 1867. When he was six months old his parents moved on the farm where he has lived continuously ever since, and which he now owns. He received his education in the rural schools and business college at Waterloo; married in 1889 to Emma Miller of Summerset county, Pennsylvania. To this union were born seven children, one of whom died in infancy. He has made farming his life work, always raising and feeding a large number of hogs, besides dairying and cattle feeding. After being elected to the fortieth general assembly he resigned as president of the consolidated school board, secretary and treasurer of the telephone company (which office he held for twenty years), township trustee, and chairman of township farm bureau. The three sons and son-in-law are working the several farms consisting of 680 acres on a fifty-fifty basis. In May, 1921, his wife died and in December, 1922, he married Clara Miller of Waterloo, Iowa. Served in the fortieth, fortieth extra, forty-first and forty-second general assemblies. A republican in politics.

Fred C. Lovrien
Representative from Humboldt county, was born on a farm in Humboldt county, July 26, 1875. He graduated from the law department of the State University of Iowa and began his practice of law at Humboldt in June, 1897, in which work he has since continued, being a member of the firm of Lovrien & Lovrien. Interested in farms and is a firm believer in the ultimate success of the corn belt farmers. Married Jennie Bell French, November 30, 1901. They have seven children, Esther Bell, Freda, Gladys, Russell, Alice, Carroll Hope and Arthur. They lost one son, Kenneth. Member of the Baptist church. A republican in politics.

Marion R. McCaulley
Representative from Calhoun county, was born in Calhoun county, June 4, 1894, son of F.M. and Margaret Barr McCaulley. Attended and graduated from the rural schools and city schools of Lake City, Iowa. Attended Waterloo Business college, State University of Iowa, State University of Kentucky, and graduated LL.B. in 1915. In law partnership with Honorable John W. Jacobs, Lake City, since graduation. Married in 1915 to Blanche Hinton, Lake City, Iowa. Have one child, Marion R., Jr. Enlisted in regular army, World War; later commissioned as second lieutenant; holds rank of captain of infantry. Member of Masonic orders, including Shrine; Alpha Delta Sigma and Delta Chi fraternities. member American Legion; member school board, independent school district, Lake City. Baptist in religion. County attorney of Calhoun county two terms. Elected representative in 1924. Reelected in 1926. Republican in politics.

Azel H. McIlrath
Representative from Poweshiek county, born near Hartwick, Iowa, March 3, 1897, son of J.L. and Lizzie A. McIlrath. Graduated from Grinnell high school in 1913, and from Iowa state college in 1919. Voluntarily enlisted in army, May 11, 1913. Appointed sergeant, then first sergeant, and was discharged and commissioned lieutenant in field artillery reserve, November 26, 1918. Engaged in auctioneering beginning 1917. Made trip to France in 1919 in charge of shipment of 750 dairy cattle for French government. Associated several years in horse breeding business and in management of cooperative elevator. Married to Gay M. Huston of Grinnell, January 12, 1920. They have two children, Mildred and Paul. Following the deflation he supplemented his sale work becoming editor of the Brooklyn Chronicle, president commercial club and commander American Legion post. Member Congregatonal church, Masonic and Knights of Pythias lodges, officers' reserve corps, farm bureau, and Gamma Sigma Delta honorary agricultural fraternity. Elected on republican ticket in 1926, succeeding his father.

J.E. McIntosh
Representative from Muscatine county, was born on a farm in Goshen township, Muscatine county, Atalissa, Iowa, October 15, 1868, where he lived until he reached the age of seventeen, attending the country school and Atalissa school. He graduated from the law department of the State University of Iowa in 1892, and is now practicing law in West Liberty of which town he was mayor for twelve years. Has been president of the Citizens Savings Bank continuously since its beginning in 1908 to the present time. He attends the Presbyterian church, is a thirty-second degree Mason, Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias and Modern Woodman. Republican in politics.

J.E. McMillan
Representative from Benton county, was born in Benton county, Iowa, November 16, 1860. Educated in common schools. He married Nora I. Pitts, November 2, 1882, and has five children, Leslie, Lawrence, Nancy, Glen and Wilhelmina. Has taken an active part in county and community affairs for many years. Was member of board of directors of Benton county, chairman of the farm bureau most of the time since organized and for two years has served as vice president. Has been one of the leading members of the Prairie Creek Church of Christ for a good many years and is at present chairman of the board. A republican.

Theodore Martin
Representative from Jackson county. born at Bellevue, Iowa, May 7, 1882. Farmer, breeder pedigreed Shorthorn cattle, auctioneer. Married Laura Weis at Bellevue, September 3, 1913. Has four children, one boy and three girls. Mason, member of the consistory. Served four terms as mayor. Member forty-first and forty-second legislative assemblies. Republican in politics.

Howard A. Mathews
Representative from Des Moines county, was born on a farm September 27, 1866. He attended district school and was graduated from the Danville, Iowa, high school in 1887. He was married to Miss Emma A. Gugeler October 29, 1896. Four children were born to them, Alvin, who is now married and resides in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, and George, Grace and Lorin at home. Taught school for twelve years in the fall and winter, working on a farm during the spring and summer. In 1899 he was elected county superintendent of schools and moved to Burlington. This office he held for nine years. He was then elected principal of the Washington school, Burlington. Was unanimously reelected the following year but gave up school work and moved to the farm in the spring of 1910, which is now his home. He was elected state representative in 1922, 1924 and 1926. Elected speaker pro tempore of the forty-second general assembly. He is a member of the First Congregational church at Danville. A republican in politics.

Glenmore Maxfield
Representative frm Marshall county, born in De Kalb county, Illinois. Early education in Sycamore, Illinois, public schools; later education received at Leander Clark college and Northwestern university. Came to Marshall county in 1899. Married Grace Elliott of Marshalltown in 1905. Elected to the legislature in 1924 on the republican ticket and "pay as you go" platform. Reelected in 1926. Been active in farm bureau work. Breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle. Of Scotch lineage and a Methodist.

David Hardman Miller
Representative from Dallas county, was born October 19, 1865, at Des Moines, Iowa. At the age of seven years he moved to Adair county. Was a graduate of the Menlo high school. Spent five years teaching and saving money for college. In 1891 he entered the law department of Drake University and graduated in 1894. Commenced the practice of law at Adel, Iowa. Elected county attorney in 1903, serving three terms. Was twice married. On June 3, 1897, was united in marriage to Laura Simcoke. To this union were born two children, Beatrice and Robert. June 8, 1910, his wife passed away. On July 18, 1926, he was married to Laura E. Cousins, who survives him. He was elected state representative on the republican ticket November 2, 1926, and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death, which occurred at the Savery Hotel, Des Moines, January 20, 1927.

Geo. E. Miller
Representative from Shelby county, was born November 6, 1876, in the same county which he represents in the legislature. Attended the district school and completed the high school course at Harlan, Iowa. He taught school five years in earlier life; has held various offices of trust in his township and county, acting as president of school board, assessor and county supervisor for nine years. He was elected representative in 1922, serving during the fortieth, fortieth extra, the forty-first and forty-second general assemblies. Was married in 1903 to Della Ramsey of Portsmouth, Iowa. They have three daughters. Mr. Miller has been engaged in active farming ever since married. Is a member of the Masonic order and is a Shriner. A democrat in politics.

Lee Nagle
Representative from Johnson county, was born at Milton, Iowa, June 14, 1870. Was educated in the public schools of Milton. Served in the twenty-ninth general assembly, representing Van Buren county. Married to Elizabeth Bell in 1892 and has four children. Is at present engaged in the lumber business at Iowa City. He is a member of the Consistory and Shrine "Kaaba" Temple, and of the Methodist church. A republican in politics.

C.H. Nelson
Representative from Hancock county, was born December 12, 1859, in Denmark. He immigrated to the United States in the year 1871. He lived on a farm near Clear Lake, Iowa, for a period of approximately fifteen years. The following are some of the offices which he has held and still holds: He has been president of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Association for a period of about thirty years. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator of Garner, Iowa, and held office continually in this association for twenty-one years. He has been holding office in the Farmers State Grain Dealers Association for fourteen years. At present he is vice president of the Farmers Elevator Insurance Association of Iowa. He was president for three years of the Farmers National Bank of Garner, and has served on the board of supervisors of Hancock county. He was assessor for two terms and also president of the educational board of Concord township for the same period of time, and vice president of the farm bureau of Hancock county. He followed the occupation of farming up to the year 1926, when he retired and moved to Garner.

T.J. O'Donnell
Representative from Dubuque county, was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, May 13, 1872. He lived on a farm until 1890. Graduated from Bayliss Business college of Dubuque in 1891, then worked in the machine shops of Dubuque until 1905, when he engaged in the wholesale liquor business until January 1, 1916. On July 23, 1917, he was appointed a member of the district exemption board for the northern district of Iowa. Married Miss Winifred Kennedy, August 16, 1899, and has four children, Thomas, Marguerite, Mildred and Robert Emmett. Elected representative in 1916, 1918, 1920, 1922, 1924 and 1926. Appointed member of state highway commission by Governor Hammill and confirmed by senate April 15, 1927. A democrat in politics.

C.G. Oliver
Representative from Monona county, was born in Monona county in 1863. Received his educaton in the common schools; Iowa City academy, State University of Iowa and the Cornell university at Ithaca, N.Y. He was married in 1891 to Miss Jennie Davis of Blencoe, Iowa. To this union five children were born: Mrs. Lucile Oliver Bonnar (a graduate of the law department of Cornell university) now located at Brooklyn, N.Y.; Mrs. Ruth Oliver Otto of Onawa, Iowa; Addison D. of Onawa; John E. of New York City, and David C. of Onawa. Mr. Oliver is a farmer, he is a director, secretary and treasurer of the Farmers' Elevator company; director and member of the examining committee of the Onawa State bank. Elected representative in 1922, reelected in 1924 and 1926. Republican in politics.

O.A. Ontjes
Representative from Grundy county, was born in 1877. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Butler county, northeast of Aplington. At the age of twenty-three he left the farm and went into the grain, farm machinery, telephone and real estate business. In 1906 he assisted in organizing the Farmers Savings bank at Holland, Iowa, and is now cashier of this bank. On December 19, 1906, he was married to Miss Sophia Frerichs of Holland. He is a member of the Baptist church, also the Knights of Pythias. Elected representative in 1920, 1922 and in 1926. A republican in politics.

G.W. Patterson
Representative from Kossuth county, born at Burt, Iowa, September 4, 1887, of Scotch parentage. Graduate of Burt high school. Graduated from Iowa State College, animal husbandry department, 1909. Married December 28, 1914, to Miss Eva M. Stensrud, Lake Mills, Iowa. Has two children, Donald W. Patterson and Virginia Mae Patterson. Business, farming and stock feeding. Elected to house of representatives 1922. Reelected in 1924 and in 1926. A republican.

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