Senator Thomas D. Healy View All Years

Senator Larrabee, from the Special Committee appointed to draft suitable resolutions commemorating the life of the Hon. Thomas D. Healy, submitted the following report and moved its adoption:

Mr. President—Your committee appointed to draft resolutions commemorative of the life and services of Ex-Senator T. D. Healy, begs leave to sumbit the following report:

Thomas D. Healy was born on a farm near Lansing, Iowa, May 25, 1865. In 1883 the family moved to Fort Dodge. He attended St. Joseph’s Academy at Dubuque, and later was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, immediately thereafter entering the practice of law at Fort Dodge in company with his brother, M. F. Healy. He was married June 16, 1889, to Mary Lucy Huffmann, and to them there have been born three children.

From his first year in the law he was recognized as a man of unusual ability, and his practice was soon extended to all parts of the State. In 1895 he was elected to the State Senate from the 27th Senatorial District, and was elected again in 1899 for a second term, serving in the 26th extra, 27th, 28th and 29th General Assemblies. His ability as a jurist, his rare talent as an orator, and his forceful personality made him a natural leader of men.

However, it was while in the Legislature, that his true worth as a constructive statesman was clearly seen. Before that he was known as a successful young lawyer; but in the Legislature, in association with the leading men of the State, he was soon recognized as one of Iowa’s most gifted and able men.

The Board of Control law, by which Iowa’s public institutions were rescued from mismanagement and extravagance that came mostly from lack of knowledge and responsibility, was the child of his vision, and was drafted after he and his associates on a special committee had made a comprehensive and convincing report to the Iowa Legislature.

The revising of the Code of Iowa, which had become a tangle of inconsistencies and cumbersomeness, due to its having been added to by many Legislatures, was done after Senator Healy had taken the lead in action. During the time in which the Code was being revised and brought into harmony by the Legislature a field of superb magnitude was given to the master legal minds of the Legislature, and among the few who were acknowledged as such in debate and in pointing out the proper paths was always Tom Healy.

The breadth of his views as a lawyer, the most conspicuous trait of greatness in his profession was revealed then, and all the State welcomed him as an exponent of higher ideals in governmental affairs, and soon he was considered one of Iowa’s most worthy and much trusted directors of public sentiment.

After leaving the Legislature, Senator Healy seemed to prefer not to accept higher honors of a political nature, although his friends were ambitious for his advancement, and he was continually urged to enter the field as a candidate for Governor or for Congress. However, he declined to continue public life and devoted himself to his chosen profession and to business affairs. January 27, 1907, he was appointed by Governor Cummins a member of the Board of Regents of the State University.

During all this time he was constantly exerting his force and energy in advancing the cause of good government, and was ever eager to champion the rights of the common people, and his great influence as an orator, his keen perception and genius in dealing with governmental problems, made him a power for good, for which the people of Iowa will ever be grateful.

Although his extensive business interests occupied most of his time, it was in his own home that one learned his true character. Here with his wife and children he seemed to enjoy himself most, and was ever a kind husband, a loving father and most hospitable friend.

On Christmas day, 1908, he was taken ill, and soon was suffering with the most violent form of pneumonia. After several days of valiant struggle for life, death occurred on the 15th day of January, 1909.

The funeral services were held at Corpus Christi church. There were present many State officers, special committees from the Senate and the House of the Thirty-third (33d) General Assembly and prominent attorneys and acquaintances from all parts of Iowa.

Resolved, That the Senate take this occasion to express its high regard and appreciation of the character and public services of T. D. Healy, and at this time extends to his family its sincere sympathy.

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions, engrossed and duly authenticated, by the President and Secretary of the Senate, be presented to Mrs. T. D. Healy and family.

FREDERIC LARRABEE,

JAS. A. SMITH,

W. P. WHIPPLE,

WILL C. WHITING,

JOHN L. SULLIVAN,

Committee.

Adopted.

The resolutions were adopted unanimously by a rising vote.