Representative Howard Webster Byers View All Years

HON. HOWARD WEBSTER BYERS

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare a resolution and a befitting memorial on the life, character and public service of the Honorable H. W. Byers, beg leave to submit the following report:

H. W. Byers was born in Woodstock, Richland county, Wisconsin, December 25, 1856, and passed away in Des Moines, Iowa, March 24, 1928.

He spent his early manhood in Shelby county, and here began his chosen profession, the practice of law, at Harlan, Iowa, which so well fitted him for the prominent part he was to play in the affairs of his county and state.

His first political venture of importance was his election to represent Shelby county in the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly, and he was again chosen to serve in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly and was elected Speaker of the House.

This was an important Assembly as it was elected to revise the Code, and no man was better fitted to preside over the House, during such a time than was "Webb Byers," the name by which his host of friends knew him.

In 1898 he became a candidate for the Republican congressional nomination in the Ninth District, but failed of his desire, only after one of the longest conventions ever held in the state and after 525 ballots had been taken, and, during all that time and all that balloting forty-eight delegates from his own and neighboring counties remained with him throughout, and he was only seven short of a majority.

Mr. Byers was again chosen a member of the House in the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, and served most creditably. By this time his influence and worth were recognized and rewarded by his selection to the office of attorney general of this his adopted state. Upon retiring from the state house he was appointed corporation counsel of the city of Des Moines, and during his incumbency many big and important questions arose which he met with his usual ability and judgment.

He presided over two Republican state conventions during his service in politics, being permanent chairman of the convention which first nominated A. B. Cummins for Governor.

Mr. Byers was for many years a member of the Des Moines law firm of Clark, Byers & Hutchinson, a firm which was among the leaders of the bar in the Capital City.

He strenuously advocated the nomination of his law partner, Howard J. Clark, for United States Senator at the primary election in 1926.

The writer realizes his inability to do justice to Mr. Byers, as he was one of God’s noblemen, the finest and noblest of men. He was a friend of the poor man, always extending a helping hand to the unfortunate. He was a magnetic and entertaining speaker, honest and courageous, and vigorously urged any principles for which he contended.

His life work is finished, his career is closed, his work is done, but as a monument to him, there remain his deeds, his admirers, and his many friends.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-third General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That the foregoing memorial be adopted as its appreciation of the life and character and public service of the Honorable Howard Webster Byers.

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be spread on the records of this House, and an enrolled copy thereof be sent to the family of the deceased.

GEO. E. MILLER,

E. A. ELLIOTT,

WILBER F . HUBBARD,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 8, 1929.