Senator Henry Clay Burgess View All Years

H. C. BURGESS.

Senator Enger, from a special committee, submitted the following report and moved its adoption:

MR. PRESIDENT—Your committee who was appointed to draft resolutions commenting on the life, career and public services of the Honorable H. C. Burgess, late of Cresco, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following:

Hon. H. C. Burgess, of Cresco, Iowa, Senator from the Forty-second District during the Thirty-second and Thirty-third General Assembly, was born in Fairfield, Maine, December 20, 1846. In 1864 he came with his parents to Iowa and located at Lansing. Two years later he moved to Howard·county and soon afterwards took charge of a lumber yard for Fleming Bros. in whose employ he remained for seventeen years and had charge of the yards in Ossian and Hull, Iowa, and in Mitchell, S. D., and finally in Cresco. In 1885, after six years’ stay in Cresco, he bought out his employers and continued the lumber business there. This business he pursued actively until about 2 years ago when failing health forced him to retire and he turned the business over to his sons, who for years had been actively associated with him. Besides this·business in Cresco he also established prosperous lumber yards in neighboring towns in his county which are now operated by his sons. In 1869 he was united in marriage to Miss Emily J. Copper. To this union was born four sons. The eldest died in infancy. The others—Charles, Ray and Joseph—grew up to manhood and as above mentioned associated themselves with their father’s business. After failing health forced him to retire from business he spent as much of his time as his health would permit in the enjoyment of friends, flowers, the garden and the rivers. After a long illness he passed away in his home on the 8th day of March, 1917.

Senator Burgess was always actively interested in politics and aligning himself with the republican party. His aim in this direction was for clean politics and good government; for the up-building of the state and the moral and intellectual elevation of society. He was a man of deep and long enduring friendship, intensely loyal. A friend of his was always a friend. He was a loyal member of his church where his natural benevolence and wise counsel was a great asset to the congregation and where his departure is a loss that will long be felt by the pastor and members. In every association with others he was unfailingly kind and solicitous of their happiness. Always devoted and gentle beyond words with children. Upright and honorable in all his dealings. His life has brightened all those with whom it came in contact with. Justice, integrity and honesty were his strong characteristics. He hated falsehood and always spoke his mind when it was time to speak, without fear or favor. As firmness and truth always command respect and confidence, he was respected and trusted and blessed with a multitude of friends who mourn his departure.

In 1906 he was elected Senator from the Forty-second district, composed of Howard and Winneshiek counties. In the legislature his activities and character brought him influence and respect, as has been bestowed on few. His counsel and judgment was sought and respected and his influence went far in the shaping of legislation during his term of service.

It is fitting that public recognition of his life be made, therefore be it

Resolved, That in the death of Senator Henry Clay Burgess the State of Iowa has lost a faithful public servant and an able statesman whose services promoted the public welfare and whose fidelity to public duty furnished an example worthy of emulation;

Resolved, That the district of Howard-Winneshiek has lost a most useful and loyal citizen; his home community, a willing co-worker and neighbor, and his family, a kind and loving husband and father; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread on the Journal of the Senate, and an engrossed copy of the same be sent to the bereaved family.

L. M. ENGER.

A. M. FELLOWS.

B. W. NEWBERRY.