Senator John Aloysius Green View All Years

JOHN A. GREEN

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

MR. PRESIDENT—Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorative of the life, character and public service of Senator John A. Green, late of Jones county, Iowa, beg leave to report the following memorial:

John A. Green was a remarkable man. He was of striking personality, diplomatic, sauve and self confident. For years he was identified with the various activities in Jones county, taking part in its politics and the current moves of public importance. He headed a large quarry industry at Stone City, built up under his shrewd management and clear vision. At the time the quarry industry was at its height and cut stone was used to large extent in building operations, his plant at that place was a hive of industry and he employed a large force of men. He was a staunch democrat and during his active years was counseller in the conventions and gatherings of that party. In 1892 he was selected state senator from the Jones-Cedar district and served one term. In 1904 he was a democratic congressional candidate in the fifth Iowa district.

Mr. Green was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, December 10, 1844. He came to America and settled at Boston where he attended school, in 1852. He learned the trade of a stone cutter and letterer and worked at the monumental line for ten years. He came west in 1865 and lived for a time at Joliet, Illinois. March 7, 1868, he landed among the hills west of Anamosa, now known as Stone City, there he opened the Champion Quarries and developed a business which grew and thrived until a few years ago with extension of the cement industry and the use of other grades of stone, the limestone product was no longer in demand.

Mr. Green was a man of generous nature. Mercy hospital at Anamosa was cherished among his thoughts. It was due largely to his liberality that it was first built, and he never lost his interest in the institution or his desire to do for it.

The new Catholic church built a few years ago at Stone City received his help and his encouragement in the work necessary to plan and make its erection possible.

Mr. Green was married to Ellen Kane at Joliet in 1875. The wife together with the following survive: John A. Green, Jr., of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Robert Green of San Francisco; Mrs. C. M. Cruikshank, Montana; Josephine and Agnes Green of Cedar Rapids.

Now Therefore, Be It Resolved By the Senate of the Thirty-ninth General Assembly of Iowa, that in the death of Senator John A. Green, the state and community where he lived have suffered the loss of an influential and honorable citizen; and

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the journal of the Senate and that the secretary be directed to send an engrossed copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

J. K. HALE,

BYRON W. NEWBERRY,

W. G. HASKELL,

What one of you that ever knew a friend

Or felt his being thrill to friendship’s token

But would preserve that friendship to the end

Unbroken

I sing of one whose brave but kindly heart

Met fortune good or fortune ill, a-smiling

The weary way by virtue of that art

Beguiling

A Senator so helpful wise and just

A neighbor kind, his neighbor’s love commanding

A friend but full response to every trust

Demanding

What cared we that his outer husk was rough

Of fabric fit to fend the world’s crude banter

When friendship’s fire could melt his sternest stuff

Instanter

We are the better that this life was passed

Within our sphere he has not lost in dying

On the firm faith that we shall meet at last

Relying

We questioned why the bonds grew firm and strong

With which the fates our hearts to his did tether

If through to world we might not pass along

Together

We’re answered for each severed bond may prove

A tendril without which our souls might never

Attain the fullness of that broader love

Forever.

The resolution was adopted unanimously by a rising vote.