Representative Edmund Cole Spaulding View All Years

EDMUND C. SPAULDING.

Senator Jackson, from a special committee, submitted the following report and moved its adoption:

MR. PRESIDENT Your special committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorating the life, character and public service of Edmund Cole Spaulding, beg leave to submit the following report:

Edmund Cole Spaulding was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire, on March 12, 1838, and died at his home in Marble Rock, Floyd county, Iowa, December 19, 1915. After his early schooling the early years of his manhood were devoted to teaching, and he was so employed until poor health forced him to come west, where he had a temporary residence in the states of Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. During the year 1869 he located in the city of Charles City, Iowa, since which time, with the exception of two years when he lived in New Hampton, Chickasaw county, he has resided in Floyd county. In 1881 he moved onto his home farm in Scott township, Floyd county, Iowa, where he remained until the year 1900, when he moved into the town of Marble Rock, in Floyd county, building himself a very beautiful and comfortable home, and at this place he passed the remainder of his life.

In 1867 Mr. Spaulding united with the Congregational church at Clinton, Wisconsin, at which place he was married to Caroline E. Shepard, on July 21, 1870, and to this union were born four children, twin sons dying in infancy, he being survived by his wife, Caroline E., and one daughter, Mrs. Roe S. Asling; one son, Mayne; one grandson, John Lloyd; one brother, Charles Guy, of Mapleton, Minnesota, and two sisters, Mrs. L. Hartshorn and Mrs. J. L. Furbish, of Charles City, Iowa.

He was a member of the House of Representatives of the state of Iowa during the 24th, 25th, 26th and 26th extra session, and a member of the Senate during the 29th, 30th and 31st sessions thereof, being one of five men to serve the longest time in the Legislature in the State of Iowa. As a member of the legislature, he was recognized as a man of good judgment, undeviating loyalty, and unswerving integrity, at all times standing above petty politics where the interests of his state and nation were concerned. Mr. Spaulding was an uncompromising Republican of the old school, and outspoken as to his general views and ideas, always representing what to him was to the best interests of the state and his constituents. He was honored above most men for his fidelity, by those who gave him their vote, there being but few men within the state who have served longer in the legislative halls in the state of Iowa than he.

As a member of the Legislature during the time when railway transportation was freely given, he at all times refused to accept and refused to use free passes, because of the fact that he could never reconcile his conscience to the use of what might be construed as a bribe to influence his vote when railroad matters were under consideration. This well illustrates the staunchness of his character.

In the death of Edmund Cole Spaulding, his home community and the State have lost one of her sterling and substantial citizens, one who always measured up to the full stature in all things. Though never of strong physique, he came of that sturdy stock of which pioneers are fashioned, hence never denied the call of a friend or foe in their hour of need.

A good man, an upright citizen, and one conscientious in all relations of life, has gone from among us and leaves a vacancy that few men can fill.

All honor to Edmund Cole Spaulding for the work he has done and for the good he has accomplished.

Resolved, That in the death of Edmund Cole Spaulding the State of Iowa has lost a valuable former lawmaker, the people an upright citizen, the church to which he belonged a loyal brother, and his family a true and loving husband and father; and be it further

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the journal of the Senate, and the Secretary of the Senate be directed to forward an engrossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

GEO. H. JACKSON,

A. L. RULE,

C. C. HELMER,

Committee.