Senator Amos Norris Alberson View All Years

AMOS NORRIS ALBERSON

The committee appointed to prepare a suitable memorial commemorating the life and service of the Honorable Amos N. Alberson, late of Washington, Iowa, submitted the following brief memorial:

Honorable Amos N. Alberson was born at Orange, Ashland county, Ohio, September 4, 1849. His father, James Alberson, the county judge, gave him a common school education.

In 1872, he came to Iowa and settled in Washington, where he continued to live. He was engaged as a contractor and builder until 1881, when he gave up his trade and entered the grocery business. In 1920, he sold his business and retired.

The name of Amos N. Alberson was almost a household word with every family in his home town. Having been in the grocery business for forty years, he was acquainted with nearly every family in the city. Through his congenial and liberal disposition he made friends with all who knew him. This confidence was shown by their placing him in the position of mayor of the city for four terms. In this office he displayed such unusual business ability that he brought credit, not only to himself, but also to the city to whose interests he was devoting the best efforts of his life.

He was not only a success in his business, but also in his social, religious, and fraternal connections. He had been a member of the official board of the Methodist Church for thirty-five years, leader of the choir for fifteen years. For many years he was a member of the school board. He also attained high rank in the lodges of his town. Having held all of the different offices in the Masonic Order in his local lodge, he was promoted to the position of Tyler of the Iowa Grand Lodge, and later elected to the position of Grand Master, it being the highest office in the State Masonic Order of Iowa.

He was also a member of the Knights Templar Order of his home town, then promoted to the position of High Priest of the Grand Chapter in 1894, Commander of the Knights Templar in 1909.

He served his county in the House of Representatives during the Twenty-seventh General Assembly and later was elected State Senator from the district of Washington and Henry, serving with credit to his constituency during the Twenty-eighth General Assembly.

He was married on January 7, 1874. His wife preceded him in death, in 1919. He leaves three children, Raymond B. Alberson, General Counsel for the Bankers Life Insurance Company of Des Moines; two daughters, Mrs. H. A. Boyer and Mrs. Garth H. Deuel, both of Moravia, California. Mr. Alberson spent the closing years of his life with his daughters.

In the passing of such a helpful and distinguished citizen, the city of Washington and the entire state of Iowa have suffered a real loss.

The committee directs that a copy of this memorial be printed in the Journal of the Senate, and a copy hereof be transmitted to the family.

WILLIAM CARDEN

FRANK M. BEATTY

E. R. HICKLIN

Committee