Representative Ferguson Flemming Roe View All Years

HON. F. F. ROE

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorating the life, character and public service of F. F. Roe beg leave to submit the following report:

Whereas, The Honorable Fergusen F. Roe, who was heretofore a member of the House of Representatives from Monona county during the twenty-second (22d) and twenty third (23d) General Assemblies, departed this life at his home near Castana, Iowa, January 5, 1920, and

Whereas, His record as a man, a legislator, a public official and a citizen, has been of the highest character, and

Whereas, It is fitting that we should recognize in some fitting manner, the passing of this distinguished citizen, therefore be it

Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the state of Iowa, that in the death of Ferguson F. Roe, the state of Iowa has suffered a loss.

“Ferguson F. Roe was born in Darke county, Ohio, November 18, 1832. He was the fourth of a family of eight children.

In his youth Mr. Roe attended the district school in Jackson township, Darke county, Ohio, and at the age of eighteen years commenced serving an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade at which he served for about two years. The succeeding years he was engaged in studying in the school again, but later removed to Union City, Rudolph county, Indiana, on the line and started a forge of his own, and there remained until September 1855 when selling his tools and packing up he came to Iowa. He had been successful in speculating in town lots in that city and had when he came here about $700.00 besides his wagon and span of horses. He arrived in Monona county in October of the same year and settled upon the east half of section eighteen. In December 1850 he went to Story county and through that winter was engaged in teaching school, returning to his farm in the spring or the summer of 1857 drew to a close he returned to Story county and was there married October 1st, 1857, to Eliza A. Miller, a native of Hancock county, who passed away some years ago. The following year he taught school in the same locality and in the summer of 1858 was engaged in carrying on a farm of his mother-in-law’s in that county. In the spring of the succeeding year he settled on his farm here which he has made his residence ever since. He was identified with the organization of townships and taught the first school within its limits in 1861 and 1862. Probably within the county there is no better known or more highly valued citizen than, was Mr. Roe, and an appreciation of the people was shown several times by placing him in prominent positions of honor and trust, and in 1869 he took his place on the Board of Supervisors of the county and had that position for about two years. In the fall of 1887 he was elected representative to the General Assembly of Iowa, where he served two terms. He was the father of seven children. He owned large land interests in the Maple Valley and late years was a well known figure at the Old Settler’s Picnics in both Monona and Woodbury counties.

Be It Resolved, That the life of Ferguson F. Roe, as a citizen as a legislator, and in every other walk of life, has been such as to commend his example as an inspiration to those who follow after. His unswerving fidelity to duty, his faithfulness in every public and private trust, and his character as a citizen should inspire all with whom he came in contact to a higher ideal of life and living, and be it further

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this House of Representatives and engrossed copy thereof be sent to his family.

HENRY EDGINGTON,

J. C. LOCKIN,

FRANK C. LAKE,

Committee.

Adopted March 23, 1921.