Representative Charles Lee Early View All Years

HON. CHARLES L. EARLY

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorating the life and service of the Hon. Charles L. Early, late of Sac County, Iowa, beg leave to report the following memorial:

Honorable Charles L. Early, who represented Sac County in the Twenty-fifth, Twenty-sixth and Twenty-sixth Extra General Assemblies, was born in Brown County, Ohio, July 27, 1854, and died at his home in Sac City, August 5th, 1924, of aortic enurysm, the rupture of a dilated artery near the heart. The funeral service was in charge of Rose Croix Commandery, No. 38, Knights Templars, of which Mr. Early was a charter member and past commander. The Rev. J. Irving Brown, pastor of the Christian church at Lohrville, read the obituary and offered prayer. Burial was made in Oakland cemetery.

The death of Charles L. Early marks the passing of one of the most significant and useful figures in the history of Sac County. A leader in political life, he distinguished himself in the legislature and was active in state Republican politics; a lover of science, he made two inventions which are his living monument. The son of a race of pioneers who had an active part in the Revolutionary War and in the building of an empire beyond the Alleghanies. He was brought up on an Ohio farm and attended district school not far from the old homestead. Too ambitious to stop with a common school education, he studied at Bentonville Normal College and at Ohio Wesleyan University.

As a school teacher Mr. Early first came to Sac County in the year 1876. After teaching school one term in Clinton township, he entered the employ of the Sac County Bank. From 1878 to 1882 he served as deputy county treasurer. Retiring from the courthouse he conducted a real estate and loan business for a period of six years.

Then began his political career. He served as clerk of the district court for four years and in 1893 was elected to the legislature as representative from Sac County. He was re-elected for a second term and sat in the sessions of 1894 and 1896 and also during the extra session of 1897. These were stormy days in Iowa politics and the representative from Sac County was an active and influential figure. He led the fight for abolishing the free pass on railroads. It was a terrific fight and Mr. Early had powerful opposition. With a few of his colleagues in the House he forced the issue and, although only a partial victory was won while he was a member, the way which the legislature eventually followed was mapped out, and the free pass is used no more. His appointment by President Roosevelt as postmaster of Sac City in 1906 met with general satisfaction. He was reappointed in 1910 by President Taft.

The remaining years of Mr. Early’s life were given almost wholly to the service of his community and his fellow men. The war brought responsibility to Mr. Early. He was food commissioner of Sac County after March, 1918, and was a ·member of the executive committee of the War Service Association.

On June 28, 1888, he was married to Miss Agnes Waddell, the daughter of Christopher Waddell. To them were born two daughters, Ruth Imogen, now Mrs. Claude B. Keir, of Sac City, and Sarah Esther, who died in childhood. He is survived by his wife and daughter and four grandchildren in whom he took an affectionate pride.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives take this occasion to present this tribute to the memory of a faithful public servant and to express appreciation of his character and public service and to extend this family and relatives most sincere sympathy.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be printed in the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward to the family of the deceased an engrossed copy.

L. T. QUIRK,

MARION MCCAULLEY,

JOAN H. AIKEN,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted March 30, 1925.