Representative Albert Head View All Years

HON. ALBERT HEAD

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to draft resolutions concerning the life and public services of the Honorable Albert Head, late of Greene county, Iowa, begs leave to submit the following report:

Captain Albert Head was born in Highland county, Ohio, on the 25th day of November, 1838, and departed this life October 18th, 1922. He was raised amid rural surroundings and early became familiar with duties and labors of farm life. In 1855, when a boy of seventeen years of age, he made the long overland journey with his parents from Ohio to Poweshiek county, Iowa, where his father again settled on a farm. Here he entered school and later took up the study of law in the office of Honorable M. E. Cutts, of Montezuma, Iowa. He was later admitted to the Bar and took up the practice of law in Montezuma, and for two years continued as an active and able member of the legal profession. At the same time he co-operated with Colonel G. F. Cooper in the newspaper business, publishing the Montezuma Republican. At the outbreak of the Civil war he ceased his labors in the newspaper field as well as in the legal profession, and offered his services to his country. Mr. Head assisted in organizing Company F of the 10th Iowa Volunteer Infantry and was elected as captain, serving in that capacity until promoted to Assistant Adjutant General in 1863 under General Raun. The history of his regiment gives the story of his army experience, which was that of an officer and soldier ever loyal to duty. At the close of the war, he settled in Greene county, Iowa, locating at Jefferson, and opened a law office. He also engaged in the banking business with his brother, Mahlon Head, under the firm name of Head Brothers. His business interests soon became numerous and important. Captain Head was a prime factor in every movement of importance that occurred in Jefferson or in Greene county. He was a man of splendid business ability and soon became the wealthiest man in Greene county, Iowa. In politics, he was a leader and was always affiliated with the Republican party. He was United States Revenue Collector during the latter years of the sixties and was four times elected to the legislature of the state of Iowa from Greene county, serving in the Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty­second, and Twenty-third General Assemblies. He was elected speaker of the House of Representatives in the Twenty-first General Assembly, a position which he filled with honor to himself and to his constituents as well. He took a deep interest in various civic organizations. He was a thirty-third degree Mason and belonged to all of the branches of the Masonic order. Captain Head was married in 1866 to Miss Minerva Jenkins and to this union were born four children; three sons who survive him, namely, Mahlon M., Roscoe C., and Albert A., all of Jefferson, and one daughter, Estella, who died many years ago. He was a man honored by every class of society, and whose brilliant career added luster to his county and state.

Whereas, in the death of Captain Albert Head, the State of Iowa has lost a most distinguished citizen, an able legislator, and a splendid public official,

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives of the Fortieth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, takes this occasion to express its appreciation of his services as a legislator, a public official, and a citizen of the State of Iowa; and

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House, and the Chief Clerk transmit an engrossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

PAUL N. ROBSON.

JNO. A. STOREY,

JOHN BRADLEY.

Adopted April 12, 1923.

Committee.