Representative Cornelius Clark Platter View All Years

HON. CORNELIUS C. PLATTER.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorating the life, character and public service of the Hon. Cornelius C. Platter, of Montgomery county, member of the House in the fifteenth and nineteenth general assemblies, beg leave to report the following ing memorial:

Cornelius C. Platter was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, April 22, 1839, and died at Red Oak, Iowa, December 30, 1909. He spent his boyhood days on a farm and attended school in the “old log school house,” later attending the South Salem Academy, and graduating from the Miama University at Oxford, Ohio, in 1860, receiving the classical honors in a class numbering twenty-six. In August 1861 he enlisted in Company I, 81st Ohio regiment, and soon after his enlistment he was appointed quartermaster sergeant of the regiment, in which capacity he served one year when he was given a second lieutenancy and assigned to Company D. By merit and service he was frequently promoted to first lieutenant, then adjutant of his regiment and soon after that he was commissioned captain and appointed adjutant of his brigade, near the close of the war he was detailed assistant adjutant general on the staff of general John A. Logan, commanding the 15th army corps, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He was in many battles, and was one of those who with the illustrious Sherman at the head, made the famous march to the sea. After being mustered out of the army, Mr. Platter located in Forest City, Mo., and engaged in the furniture and lumber business, but in the spring of 1870 he moved to Red Oak, Montgomery county, Iowa, and located upon a farm where he resided for twenty-five years.

Mr. Plater was married in 1866 to Lizzie F. Irwin at Oxford, Ohio, Mrs. Platter departed this life but a few months before her husband.

Mr. Platter took an active part in public affairs. He represented Montgomery county in the fifteenth general assembly and again in the nineteenth general assembly. He was postmaster of Red Oak for 10 years. Was first appointed January 8, 1900, by President McKinley, and at the expiration of that four year appointment, President Roosevelt in 1904 appointed him to succeed himself and again in 1908. During his tenure, which was the longest since it became a presidential office, the Red Oak post office increased in business from $11,307.00 in 1900, to $37,439.00 for the year ending June 1, 1909.

To be universally spoken of as a good man is as high a tribute as can be paid to any one. This was the common expression with reference to Mr. Platter from all who knew the man or came within the sphere of his influence. He was indeed a good man; not negatively or positively, but actively, constantly, efficiently, and persistently good. Goodness comprehends all the virtues-charity, benevolence, forbearance, loyalty, love, purity, service, sympathy, toleration and unselfish devotion to our higher ideals. It is reflected in human conduct and makes the real characteristics of the man. For this reason character is higher than intellect and right living better than high thinking. Thought is a mere function of the brain, while conduct is the expression of the soul.

Mr. Platter was pure in thought, in action true, and in purpose faithful. He was always active and helpful in his civic and social relations. He loved his fellowmen, his community, his state and his nation, and offered to each the fullest measure of devotion. Righteousness and truth is what he sought, rather than policy or expediency. In every good cause he was a willing worker, and to every effort for the betterment of his community or state he lent a helpful hand.

Looking back over his life it seems that loyalty was his great passion—loyalty to friends, loyalty to city, loyalty to state and loyalty to nation. To these he gave without stint. All of them he served, and when it came to the supremest test—that of offering his life for the preservation of the Union, he did not falter. He knew of the sacrifices that were made to preserve and perpetuate the nation, and every man who enlisted with him in this cause was his comrade and brother.

When life’s thread was almost broken, and while listening to the waves as they broke upon the other shore, his thoughts turned to these gray haired comrades he was leaving behind, and as he dreamed, the ferryman took him over the River Styx to join his brethren who had gone before.

On New Year’s day 1910, he was laid at rest in the Evergreen cemetery, where the G. A. R. Post, of which the deceased was a member, conducted the impressive ritualistic services over the remains of their dead comrade.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk transmit an engrossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

E. A. LARSON.

L. E. STANLEY.

DOUGLAS ROGERS,

Committee.

Adopted March 23, 1917.