Representative Philip Schaller View All Years

HON. PHILIP SCHALLER.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to draft resolutions of respect to the memory of the Honorable Philip Schaller respectfully submit the following:

Philip Schaller was born in the town of Worth, Alsace, Germany, January 6, 1838, and received his education in the common schools of his native country. At the age of sixteen years he came to the United States, tarrying for a short time in the eastern states, and coming to Iowa in 1854, making his home in Clayton County.

August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, and participated in the engagements of his regiment, including Steele’s Arkansas expedition, the Meridian campaign, the Red River campaign (where Mr. Schaller won distinction in the capture of Fort De Russy), Smith’s expeditions to Tupelo, Oxford and Nashville, and the other engagements of his regiment throughout his service. One of his officers has said, “Phil Schaller was the bravest man I ever knew.” He was mustered out with his regiment August 8, 1865, and returned to Clayton County, Iowa, and engaged in business. In the spring of 1872 he settled in Eden Township, Sac County, Iowa, on a fine tract of land.

In October, 1865, Mr. Schaller was married to Miss Emeline L. Knight of Clayton County, who departed this life February 13, 1899, and on July 10, 1900, he was married to Mrs. Catherine Fishman. The faithful widow and congenial companion survives him.

A man of Mr. Schaller’s ability and public spirit could not stay long out of politics in this new country, and he was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, was County Treasurer for eight years and was elected Representative from Sac County to the Twenty-first General Assembly, which convened in 1886. His ability and force of character were soon discovered upon his accession to the House.

In 1896 Mr. Schaller was chosen as an alternate at large to the Republican National Convention. In recent years he served two terms as Mayor of Sac City, and was elected the last term without opposition. In all his official duty he manifested his public spirit and uprightness of character.

Mr. Schaller held official positions with several banks. He was a liberal contributor in various public enterprises, and was a trustee of Buena Vista College, of Sac City Institute and of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member. He held membership in the various lodges of Free Masonry, from the Blue Lodge to the Consistory and Commandery; was Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa Masons. He was a diligent and faithful worker in the Grand Army of the Republic, and served as Department Commander for Iowa.

Mr. Schaller was an efficient and faithful officer, a brave soldier and a big hearted man, and his death has caused the deepest sorrow in the community where he lived and throughout the state. He lived up to his opportunities and carried forward the torch of human enlightenment. He stood as the poet has said:

“For the truth that lacks assistance,

For the wrong that needs resistance,

For the future in the distance

And the good that we can do.”

In view of these facts so briefly set forth in the life of this brave and noble man, be it

Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the Thirty-fifth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, that we mourn in his death the passing of a brave and noble man; that we express our sincere sympathy to the surviving family who have lost a devoted husband and father; and be it further

Resolved, That this memorial he spread upon the Journal of the House and that engrossed copies of the same be prepared and forwarded to the surviving wife and daughters of the deceased.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

W. J. DIXON,

C. B. HUTCHINS,

JOHN W. JACOBS,

Committee.

Adopted January 25, 1913.