Representative John B. Classen View All Years

JOHN B. CLASSEN

MR. PRESIDENT: Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorating the life, character and services of John B. Classen, late of Marshalltown, Marshall county, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following:

John B. Classen was born in Germany, April 30th, 1846, the son of John and Margaret (Enkin) Classen. The mother died in 1848 and the father, with his young son and a daughter, Eliza, emigrated to America soon after, settling on a farm in Lee county, Illinois, in 1851. The elder Classen died on this farm in January, 1859.

John B. Classen was reared on a farm, receiving his early education in the graded schools of Prairieville, Illinois. Early in life he decided to engage in farming as his life occupation and followed this vocation until 1864. At this time, mindful of his duty as a citizen and loyal to his adopted country, he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company D., Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. He was discharged in July, 1865. During his service in the army he participated in the Atlanta campaign.

After being mustered out of service, Mr. Classen returned to farming and in 1867 came to Marshall county, Iowa. In 1870 he bought one hundred and sixty acres in Vienna township, where he made his home until 1883, when he sold his farm, purchasing another in the same township. On this farm he lived for thirty years, engaging in farming until he moved to Marshalltown in 1914, making his home there until his death.

Mr. Classen was married on December 29th, 1869, to Miss Elmira Messenger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Messenger, pioneers of Marshall county. Mrs. Classen died on August 7th, 1921. Miss Belle Classen, an adopted daughter, survives.

Mr. Classen was prominent in G. A. R. circles for many years and during his last illness his old comrades from Frank M. Thomas post paid almost daily visits to the hospital to inquire as to his condition.

Mr. Classen was a life-long republican and had taken an active part in political affairs. He was elected to various township offices and in 1895 was elected to the Lower House of the Iowa Legislature from the Fifty-first district, serving in the Twenty-sixth, Twenty-seventh and Twenty-seventh extra General Assemblies. In 1900 he was elected to the Senate without opposition, serving in the Twenty-eighth and Twenty­ninth sessions from the Twenty-eighth Senatorial district. Mr. Classen was always active in public affairs, was president of the Marshall County Fair Association for many years, stockholder and director in the Marshalltown State Bank, interested in the Producers Savings Bank at Green Mountain and a member of the Farmers Elevator Association. He was a man of high moral character and strong convictions; he stood for the things he believed to be right and led an honorable, upright Christian life. He affiliated with the Congregational church and his community has lost a valuable citizen in his passing.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, By the Senate of the Forty-second General Assembly of Iowa, that in the death of John B. Classen, the state and community where he Jived 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 bereaved daughter.

W. E. MCLELAND,

J. N. LANGFITT,

F. M. BEATTY,

Committee.