Representative George Hamilton Van Houten View All Years

HON. G. H. VAN HOUTEN

Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorating the life and service of the Hon. G. H. Van Houten of Taylor County, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following report:

George H. Van Houten was born near Rockport, Missouri, Atchinson county, February 24, 1847, and died at Lenox, Iowa, October 17, 1930. In the year 1848, with his parents, he came to Madison County, Iowa, about five miles east of Winterset, moving to Cass county in 1850 near Lewis, then the county seat of Cass county again in 1855 moving to Taylor county near Conway.

In the year of 1864 he volunteered his service and was accepted in Company E, 4th Missouri Cavalry, United States Service, at Sedalia, Missouri, and was honorable discharged at St. Louis, July 5, 1865.

In 1866 he was married to Salina A. Jenks, a playmate of his childhood days. They began life together near Lenox, Iowa, where twelve children were born to them who grew to maturity, besides helping to raise eight orphan children. On account of poor school facilities and impaired eyesight caused by measles, his education was neglected until when his children were attending school, he again entered school with such success that he later became a teacher.

He followed the occupation of farmer, stock raiser, nurseryman, publisher and lecturer. He had an enviable reputation as an orator and public speaker. One of his greatest assets was his wonderful memory of what he had observed and read. He was county treasurer 1884-1885; was once postmaster of Lenox; secretary of Southwestern Iowa Horticultural Society, secretary of Iowa State Horticultural Society, secretary of Iowa Agriculture, secretary of American Association of Fairs and Expositions. In the year 1891 he was the chosen nominee of his party for lieutenant governor. He served as a member of the House of Representatives in the Twenty-sixth, Twenty-sixth Extra, Twenty-seventh and Thirty-second General Assemblies from the Eighth District where he became known as a parliamentarian.

As a publisher, he published the Lenox Time Table, the Industrial Record and Argus of Bedford, and the Rural Northwest in Des Moines. The New Times, later consolidated with the Lenox Time Table, was the last newspaper he owned and published. He had been a contributor to many other publications. He was a charter member of Excelsior Grain near Lenox, the Sunday School, M. E. Church, Masons, I. O. O. F., K. P., Good Templars, Order of Eastern Star, Sons of Veterans, G. A. R., all of Lenox, and the Consistory of Des Moines. In politics, he was a republican, taking great interest in political affairs of his state and nation.

As a world traveler, historian and lecturer, he had few equals and no superiors. In the year 1927, he made a trip to Europe, Asia and Africa, when more than 80 years of age, visiting the Holy Land on that trip. In recent years he had been employed as a lecturer at KMA and KFNF Radio Stations at Shenandoah, Iowa.

His widow; one brother, Oscar, Yakima, Washington; four sons, M. B. and V., Bellingham, Washington; W. C., Lenox, Iowa; A. W., Davenport, Iowa; four daughters, Marge Barrens, Lenox, Iowa; Abi L. Dawson, Veradale, Washington; Bessie McEleern, Maryville, California; Clara Myrtle Boyer, Creston, Iowa; Mary D. Bell, Bellingham, Washington, survive him.

Be It Resolved, That in the passing of the Hon. George H. Van Houten, the state has lost a valuable and honored citizen, a man of high ideals in Christian living.

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions of respect and appreciation be printed in the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward copies to the surviving relatives.

C. S. Hook,

F. D. Augustine,

Paul L. Millhone,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 13, 1931.