BIOGRAPHIES
Iowa State Senators
Iowa Official Register 1927-1928

pg. 1

WILLIAM S. BAIRD
Senator from the nineteenth district, composed of Pottawattamie county, was born in Council Bluffs, June 3, 1863. Parents native of Pennsylvania. Father, Rev. Samuel Baird, methodist preacher. Mother, Matilda Hanks (Akers) Baird. Married Anne E. Wood, now deceased, of Logan, Iowa, January 9, 1895, daughter of John W. and Eliza A. Wood. Children, John W. (William S. Jr., deceased), Lucy W. (deceased), Robert M., Donald P. and Margaret (dceased). Graduated from high school, Council Bluffs, 1880. Graduated from Cornell college, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 1884. Admitted to practice law, 1887. Trustee free public library, Council Bluffs. Member of Masonic order and Knights of Pythias. Elected senator, 1920, reelected 1924. A republican in politics.

FRANK M. BEATTY
Senator from the twelfth district cmposed of Keokuk and Poweshiek counties, is a lawyer by profession and is engaged in practicing law at Sigourney, Iowa. He is a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan college and of the Northwestern University law school. A republican in politics.

C.A. BENSON
Senator from the thirty-sixth senatorial district, Clayton county, was born on a farm in that county, where he is now engaged in general farming, cattle feeding, and breeding of pure bred Shorthorn cattle, in partnership with father and two brothers under firm name of August Benson and Sons. Received his early education in the country grade school, and took a course in banking at the Capital City Commercial College, Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated in agriculture in 1914 at Iowa State college, Ames, Iowa. Served as deputy clerk of the district court, as secretary and manager of the Elkader Fair Association, as secretary and manager of the Highland Telephone Company, as president of the Clayton County Shorthorn Breeders Association, and as secretary of the Clayton County Farm Bureau from the time of its organization until he resigned to run for office of senator, to which office he was elected in 1924. He is a member of the Lutheran church, a Master Mason, and a republican.

A.H. BERGMAN
Senator from the twenty-ninth district, composed of Jasper county, was born March 12, 1872 on a farm, eight miles north of Newton, Iowa, and lived on the farm for twenty years, graduating from the rural school. After leaving the farm he attended Capital city Commercial College at Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated in the year 1890. He then engaged in the implement business in Newton, Iowa, and in 1893 in the manufacturing business -- manufacturing what was known as the Parsons band cutter and self-feeder. In 1900 he engaged in the washing machine business and has lived in Newton ever since, being interested in manufacturing, banking and farming.

CHAS. D. BOOTH
Senator from the eighteenth district, comprising Cass and Shelby counties, was born in Stockton, California, January 2, 1870. In 1871 the family moved from California to a farm two miles east of Harlan, Shelby county, Iowa, where they lived until 1881, at which time they moved to Harlan. He graduated from the Harlan high school in 1888, and afterward finished one year's work at the Iowa State college at Ames. Following this he assisted his father in the farm machinery business in Harlan, and when of age was made partner in the business. He still holds a substantial interest in the business, which is continued under the name of the Booth Motor Company. Although living in Harlan he operates four hundred acres of land which is well stocked. Has served as township clerk of Harlan township, and city councilman of Harlan, and ten years in the Harlan volunteer fire department, two years of which he was chief. Has been president of the Harlan Commercial Club, the Kiwanis Club, and the Masonic Temple Association. Has served as presiding officer of all the Masonic bodies up to and including the Commandery. Was director in the Shelby County Farmers Mutual Telephone Company for fifteen years. County chairman of three successful war drives. Married October 31, 1895 to Edith Pickard of Harlan, and they now have one daughter, Estella May, who is attending high school. Has been a consistent republican in politics, county chairman from 1920 to 1926. Elected to senate in 1926.

W.J. BREAKENRIDGE
Senator from the forty-seventh district comprising Palo Alto, Kossuth, Emmet, Clay and Dickinson counties, was born in 1892 in Wright county, Iowa. Moved to Tama county two years later where he was raised and educated in the country schools of north Tama county at Dinsdale. Was graduated from the Traer high school and from the Iowa State college in 1915. Member of the Gamma Sigma Delta honorary agricultural fraternity. since 1915 has been active in operating from one to five farms and has given much time to farm organization activities. Served as county agent in Cherokee county in 1918 and as president of the Tama county farm bureau in 1919. Moved to Palo Alto county in 1920 to operate a seven hundred acre farm. Served as president of the Palo Alto county farm bureau from 1921 to 1925. Member of the school board and cooperative elevator board. Chairman of the republican county committee. Elected to the state senate in 1924. Married October 20, 1915, to S. Edith McMillan of Traer and has four children, three boys and one girl. Member of the Masonic lodge and the Congregational church.

A.T. BROOKINS
Senator from the forty-fourth district, composed of Floyd and Chickasaw counties, was born December 16, 1883, at Ionia, Chickasaw county, Iowa; graduated from the high school at Charles City in 1902; taught in rural and high schools; engaged in farming and stock raising in Chickasaw county; was married to Ruth Dodge of Orchard, Iowa, July 24, 1907; left the farm to accept position in First Savings Bank at Ionia, Iowa; a member of St. Charles Lodge 141 A.F.& A.M.; Almond Chapter 53 R.A.M.; Joppa Commandery 55 K.T.; A.:A.:O.:N.:M.:S. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A republican in politics.

CHARLES STEERE BROWN
Senator from the twenty-third district, composed of one county, one of the oldest in the state, was born June, 1875, at Baldwin, Iowa, where he acquired his education in the public schools. American-born parents. Always lived in the county of Jackson, state of Iowa. Taught school at the age of 18 years. Buyer and feeder of live stock and farm owner. Never held an office of any description up to the year 1920. Eligible to the Sons of the American Revolution. Always a republican in politics.

S.A. BRUSH
Senator from the Tama-Benton senatorial district, was born in Winneshiek county, March 19, 1873. In the fall of 1874 the family moved to a farm a few miles south of Chelsea and in 1877 to a farm in southern Richland township, Tama county. He received his education in the district school and graduated from the chelsea high school. After graduating from high school he taught six terms of school and later spent a year studying law at the State University at Iowa City. He was married to Catherine Wilkinson, August 8, 1900, and has a family of five children. Mrs. Harold B. Cobet, Cecil W., Merle, Amber and Burnell. The family home was on a farm near Chelsea until 1914 when Senator Brush sold the farm and moved to Chelsea. He has since been engaged in the coal, grain and feed business. Is also operating a farm near Chelsea purchased in 1919. Member of the Masonic fraternity and past master of Zenith Lodge No. 581. Member of the Methodist church, serving the official board of his home church. Has been a member of the school boards in the districts in which he has lived for twenty-nine years. Mayor of Chelsea from 1914 to 1918 and has since been a member of the town council. Elected state senator in 1926. A republican in politics.

ED. H. CAMPBELL
Senator from the Cherokee, Ida and Plymouth county district, was born on a farm near Battle Creek, Iowa, on March 6, 1882, son of Romeo and Hattie Campbell, pioneers of Ida county, Iowa. Attended the rural schools until fourteen years of age. Graduated from the Battle Creek, Iowa, high school in 1900. Graduated from the University of Iowa in 1906, law department. Served as mayor of Battle Creek three terms. Member of the house of representatives of the thirty-fourth general assembly. Senator for the forty-sixth senatorial district in the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, fortieth extra and forty-first gener assemblies. Served in the infantry in the World War. Member of the American Legion. Married Esta Fein in Los Angeles, Calif., on October 25, 1913. Son Romeo Ed Campbell, born August 31, 1915. Republican in politics. Member of the law firm of Campbell & Campbell, being associated with his twin brother, Jed H. Campbell.

WILLIAM CARDEN
Senator from the tenth senatorial district including Washington and Henry counties, was born on a farm near Middletown in Des Moines county, Iowa. Attended the country school, later took a course at the state normal school and finished his education at Parson's college, Fairfield, Iowa. Mr. Carden taught school for about three years and then entered the hardware and implement business at Winfield, Iowa. He served as postmaster under President TAft, after which he engaged in the insurance and loan business. He is a member of the different lodges of his town, as well as having been active in its civic affairs. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and has been moderator of the Presbytery as well as vice moderator of the Synod of Iowa. He was first district manager of the Coolidge campaign in 1925. Has previously served in the lower house and is now serving his first term in the senate.

E.E. CAVANAUGH
Senator from the twenty-seventh senatorial district, composed of Calhoun and Webster counties, was born July 29, 1881, in Lehigh, Webster county, Iowa. Attended the grade schools and graduated from high school of that city, in 1900. Graduated from Tobin college, normal school, Fort Dodge, Iowa, in 1901. Taught school in the rural districts and was superintendent of the Lehigh schools for two years. Married to Belle M. Ingalls, of Lehigh, Iowa, in June, 1906. Elected county superintendent of Webster county, 1906. Served two terms. Entered the University of Iowa in the school of law. Graduated from the law school, University of Iowa, in 1910. Elected county attorney in 1912, and served two terms. Elected senator, November, 1924, on the republican ticket and re-elected in 1926.

W.A. CLARK
Senator from the fifteenth district composed of the counties of marion and Monroe, was born on a farm near Gallipolis, Gillia county, Ohio, April 22, 1867, where he attended public schools, came to Marion county, Iowa, in the year 1886 where he has since resided with the exception of two years spent in Warren county, Iowa. He was married to Edna McQuerry in 1890. To this union three children were born, only one living to maturity, Callie E., now Mrs. H.H. Phillips of Pleasantville, Iowa. He spent several years in the mercantile business and in the year 1900 moved to the farm where he resided for twenty years. He was deputy county auditor in 1895-96; was treasurer of Marion county from 1921 to 1925 and took the oath of office as state senator January 12, 1925. A republican in politics.

GEORGE M. CLEARMAN
Senator from the twenty-fifth district comprising Johnson and Iowa counties, was born on a farm in Johnson county, October 5, 1870. Was educated in the public schools. Has been engaged in farming and stock raising in the same locality all his life. Was married in 1892 and has three children, Ray, Harold and Stella. A member of the Episcopal church and a thirty-second degree Mason. A republican in politics.

H.A. DARTING
Senator from the eighth district, was born in Harrison county, Iowa, February 5, 1873. Moved with his parents to Thayer county, Nebr. Returned to Harrison county in 1881. Received his education in the rural schools. Moved to Mills county in 1911. Is a member of the Christian church. An Odd Fellow, a York Rite Mason, including the Shrine. Elected senator in 1920, re-elected in 1924. Appointed member of state highway commission by Governor Hammill and confirmed by senate April 15, 1927. Republican in politics.

HERBERT E. DEAN
Senator from the forty-ninth district comprising Osceola, Lyon, O'Brien and Sioux counties, was born in O'Brien county, Iowa, December 5, 1972, of American parentage. Attended school at Primghar, and Morningside college, Sioux City, Iowa. Served two years as deputy clerk of the court of O'Brien county, under J.W. Walter. Entered the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana, and graduated with the class of 1896. Entered the law department of the State University of Nebraska and graduated with the class of 1898. Was married to Estella M. Bowser of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and has two sons, Wilbur M. and Forest C. Moved to Harris, Iowa, in 1899, and was elected president of the school board. Moved to Ocheyedan, Iowa, in 1901. Was once appointed and three times elected mayor of that town. Devotes most of his time to his farm interests. Elected representative in 1916. Reelected in 1918. Elected senator in 1924. Appointed member of state highway comission by Governor Hammill and confirmed by the senate in 1927. A republican in politics.

A.G. DOTTS
Senator from the fourth district which includes Wayne and Lucas counties. Residence, Corydon. He was born on a farm near Bethlehem, Wayne county, Iowa, May 24, 1870. Received his education in the rural schools of that community. Engaged in farming, stock raising and banking. Elected county auditor in 1908, serving four years. Employed as assistant bank cashier for three years. Member Corydon lodge I.O.O.F. Elected representative in 1922. Elected senator in 1924. A republican in politics.

LLOYD ELLIS
Senator from the third Iowa district, consisting of Appanoose and Davis counties. Was born in Appanoose county, May 29, 1883. Lives in Moulton, Iowa. Spent most of his life in Appanoose county. Was married to Miss Blanche McCoy, July 2, 1906. Has two adopted children, Helen Virginia and Betty Jeanne. Attended the public schools of Appanoose county and Drake University at Des Moines, Iowa. Holds degree of A.B. and A.M. Has been actively engaged in the ministry for a number of years. Is a Knight Templar Mason. Was elected state senator on the democratic ticket in 1924.

SAMUEL EDWIN FACKLER
Senator from Adams county, was born in Ohio in 1867. Was educated in the public schools and high schools in Ohio and Iowa. His occupations have been farm operator and merchant. Was married in Ogallala, Nebr., to Mayme Allen. They have two children, Samuel Edwin and Theodore Allen. He served as mayor of Prescott two terms, and as a member of the Prescott school board nine years. Has been secretary, auditor and president of the Prescott Telephone company. A member of the Masonic order, Elks, M.W.A. and A.O.U.W. Member of the Christian church. Served as member of the house of representatives in the thirty-ninth, forthieth and fortieth extra general assemblies. Elected to the senate in 1924. A republican in politics.

JOSEPH R. FRAILEY
Senator from the first district, composed of Lee county, was born in Ft. Madison, March 2, 1876. Graduated Ft. madison high school in 1893; State University of Iowa, liberal arts, 1898; law, 1900. Second Lieutenant, Company F, Fiftieth Iowa Infantry, United States Volunteers, during the Spanish-American war, and up to the time this regiment was mustered out of service. City solicitor of Ft. Madison from 1905 up to the time he took his seat in the senate, at which time he resigned. Served as a member of the state senate from Lee county in the thirty-sixth, thirty-seventh, thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth general assemblies. Connected with the legal department of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad from 1900 to 1905. Practiced law in Ft. Madison since 1905. Is married. Republican in politics. During the political campaign of 1920, he spoke for the republican national committee in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and Colorado, and during the national campaign of 1924 in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. He is trustee of the Cattermole Memorial Library in Ft. Madison, and one of the trustees of the $250,000 gift of Alexander Coleman, Esquire, for the purpose of building a road in Lee and Henry counties, Iowa.

CHARLES J. FULTON
Senator from the second district, composed of the counties of Jefferson and Van Buren, was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, January 27, 1860. His parents were American-born. He attended both common and private schools and was graduated in 1883 from Parsons college. Remained on the farm until the winter of 1891-92, when he became a member of the Louden Machinery company. Was mayor of Fairfield from 1903 to 1907 and again in 1920. Served as chairman of the local exemption board for Jefferson county during the World War. Was president of the Fairfield chautauqua association for thirteen years. Is a trustee of Parsons college and a trustee of the Fairfield free public library. Was a member of the house of representatives in the thirty-third and thirty-fourth general assemblies. Elected senator in 1920 and reelected in 1924. A republican in politics.

FRED C. GILCHRIST
Senator from the fiftieth district, was born in Pennsylvania in 1868, removed to Iowa in 1871, and has lived here since. Educated in common schools and at state teachers' college. Taught school two years and was county superintendent of Pocahontas county 1890-92. Completed law course at state university of Iowa in 1893 and was admitted to the bar. Married Ellen Hurley in 1896 and has three children. Was a member of th ehouse in the twenty-ninth general assembly. Elected to the senate in 1922 and reelected in 1926. A republican in politics. Residence, Laurens.

continue to pg. 2 of the senators

Home to Iowa History Project | Iowa Register 1927-1928 Contents