Representative George C. Heberling View All Years

HON. GEO. C. HEBERLING.

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions on the death of Hon. George. C. Heberling, late of Sabula, Jackson county, Iowa, and formerly a member of this legislative body, most respectfully submits the following report:

Hon. George C. Heberling was born in Georgetown, Harrison county, Ohio, on March 19th, 1858, and died in Seattle, Washington, on the 15th day of March, 1911, and thus lacked but four days of being seventy-three (73) years old.

He came to Iowa with his parents, John and Susanne Heberling in the spring of 1854, and they settled on a farm in Van Buren township, this county. Here the subject of our sketch toiled at the work of making a farm from raw Iowa land, and at odd times studied law. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A., Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry and served his country up to and including the battle of Port Gibson, where he was wounded, a bullet cutting away a portion of one ear. He was honorably discharged February 19, 1864. Following the rebellion Mr. Heberling devoted his time to law and we print following synopsis of his political and public service from copy which he at one time furnished us.

Mr. Heberling practiced law at home and at St. Louis Law School, under James O. Broadhead, Dean of Faculty and in the office of Hon. J. Hilsinger of Sabula, Iowa. Admitted to the bar by Hon. J. Scott Richman, District Judge at Andrew in March, 1867, on motion of T. W. Darling, Esq. The examining committee consisted of Hons. Wm. E. Leffingswell, L. A. Ellis and J. S. Darling. He was admitted to the Federal Courts by Hon. J. M. Love, United States District Judge at Dubuque, in April, 1870, on motion of Hon William Graham.

First office held was that of justice of the peace at Union township, at Sabula in 1865-1866-1867. Served as a member of the Sabula council and was elected mayor in 1885. Elected to lower house of General Assembly in the fall of 1871, to regular session in 1872, and served also during extra session, 1873, which codified laws, Code of 1873. Re-elected in fall of 1873 to regular session of 1874. These were the Fourteenth and Fifteenth General Assemblies. Elected chairman of republican state central committee by state convention of 1874. Appointed deputy United States marshal at Dubuque, March 10, 1875, and when state was divided into two federal judicial districts in 1880, was appointed United States marshal, northern district of Iowa, and served until March 1, 1883. March 6, 1883, appointed postoffice inspector at St. Louis, Missouri, by Timothy O. Howe, of Wisconsin, then postmaster general, but resigned July 4, 1883, to Walter Q. Gresham, who had meantime succeeded Howe as postmaster general. Appointed personal injury claim agent of Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway company, in March, 1885, and served until April 4, 1894, when resigned, although resignation not accepted until about two months later. During these various interims, he practiced law at Sabula, Iowa, up to February, 1904, when he removed to Seattle, Washington, retired.

Mr. Heberling was married shortly after the close of the war to Miss Mary Todd and three children were born to them. Of these, Dwight, living at Seattle, alone survives, a pair of twins dying in infancy. Mrs. Heberling passed away twelve years ago. Besides the one son there are three grandchildren living at Seattle, four sisters and two brothers. The latter are Mrs. Mary Osborn, of California; Mrs. Hiram Coleman of Tekamah, Neb.; Miss Charlotte Heberling of Ardmore, South Dakota; Mrs. Willard Ellison of Iowa City; J. M. Heberling of Seattle, Washington, and Capt. H. S. Heberling of this city.

Deceased when a resident of Sabula, was possessed of many qualities which built for him a strong circle of friends. His nature was an optimistic and charitable one, and in every movement for the betterment of civic conditions, he was one of the first to the front. The beautiful city fish ponds, now the source of much delight to visitor and resident alike, were the creation of Mr. Heberling, and for several years were maintained at his personal expense. Since his departure from Sabula six years ago, it has been a longing desire with him to return to his old home town, but love for the family of his son, with whom he made his home, kept him in the coast city. Therefore be it

Resolved, That we extend to his bereaved family our sincere sympathy in this, their hour of sadness and sorrow; and

Resolved, That these resolutions be entered in the Journal of the House and that an engrossed copy be presented to the family of the deceased, by the Chief Clerk.

J. W. ELLIS,

S. H. BAUMAN,

W. M. BYERLY,

Committee.

Adopted.