Representative Soloman E. Field View All Years

HON. S. E. FIELD

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorative of the life and character of the late Honorable S. E. Field of Page County, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following report:

S. E. Field was the son of Elijah Field and Philena Arms Field. He was born July 8, 1834 at Conway, Massachusetts where his parents resided until their death.

He was educated in the public schools and academy of his native county in Massachusetts. Beginning at seventeen years of age he taught school until twenty years old when he came west to Illinois where he resided in the neighborhood of Knoxville and Kewanee. He continued teaching school until duty and patriotism sent him to the defense of his country in the war of the Rebellion. He enlisted in an Illinois Regiment and served with honor. When the period of his service ended, he returned to Illinois where he continued his school work.

In 1868 he came to Iowa and settled in the locality of what is now the city of Shenandoah, living on one farm more than forty years. Except for a short period spent in California he lived in Iowa until his·death. He did a great deal of pioneer work in developing the resources of Page County.

He was married November 6, 1870 to Celestia J. Eastman of Toulon, Illinois. Her death occurred at Redlands, California, four years before Mr. Field passed away. Eight children were born, one of whom, Stephen, died in infancy. The seven survivors are all successfully filling useful positions in the communities in which they live.

Mr. Field was a prominent member of the Congregational Church. When that organization was founded in Shenandoah he was very active in its establishment.

In politics he was always a stalwart Republican. At the birth of the party in Illinois, he took a leading part in its early deliberations. His interest in and usefulness to his community was indicated in his election to many local offices. The people of Page County demonstrated their faith in his ability by electing him to represent them in the Twenty­second and Twenty-third General Assemblies of the state of Iowa. In that capacity he fully met the expectations of his people with credit to himself.

The greater part of his life was devoted to developing the farming and horticultural interests of his county. He was deeply interested in those enterprises and much of his work has produced results that are permanent.

But after all home was his kingdom; the high ideals he must have taught have borne fruit that has shown its effect on those who were reared there.

The above simple recital of some of the events in his life is our tribute to the memory of S. E. Field—none other is needed. No language we could use would so eloquently express our thoughts. His was a life of service; such a life exemplifies the highest type of success.

We quote a few appropriate words from a published article written by a son, Henry Field: “I believe that when my time comes to go, the highest compliment that can be paid to my memory will be if they can say truthfully, ‘he was a whole lot like his father.’”

The death of S. E. Field occurred March 14, 1923, when he was more than eighty-eight years old.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives now sincerely express their appreciation of his character and the service he has rendered the people; and

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this House of Representatives and an engrossed copy be sent the family.

T. E. POWERS,

C. R. BUFFINGTON,

W. C. SCOTT,

Committee.

Adopted April 12, 1923.