Senator John Hammill View All Years

HONORABLE JOHN HAMMILL

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions commemorating the life and service of Hon. John Hammill, late of Hancock county, beg leave to submit the following:

John Hammill was born at Linden, Wisconsin, October 14, 1875, and passed away on April 6, 1936, at Minneapolis, Minn. His parents, John and Mary Hammill, with their family moved to Britt, Iowa, in 1889. Little did the parents dream, as they traveled over the fertile prairies of Iowa, that their son John, then only fourteen year of age, would some day be one of Iowa’s most beloved Governors.

John Hammill was graduated from Britt High School in 1895, and it is interesting to know that John spoke on “Good Citizenship” at commencement. He followed out the idea of good citizenship throughout his entire life. Mr. Hammill entered the State University of Iowa, and was graduated from the college of law in 1897. He immediately returned to Britt and set up a law practice. He married Miss Fannie Richards of Garner, on June 7, 1899. They established a home at Britt, and except for the time he served in office at Des Moines, he maintained a law office at Britt.

Mr. Hammill was a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the consistory at Des Moines, and because of his knowledge of affairs held various offices in this lodge, including that of Most Worthy Grand Patron for three years. He was Past Patron of the O. E. S., and Past Worthy Grand Patron of Iowa.

John Hammill always took a keen interest in public affairs. He served as County Attorney of Hancock County from 1902 to 1904, then as State Senator from the forty-third district. ln 1920 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Iowa and reelected in 1922, thus serving four years with the late Nate Kendall. He was elected Governor of Iowa in 1924 and reelected twice in 1926 and 1928, being one of two Governors of Iowa to serve three terms. His administration was outstanding in Iowa history. He was known as the good roads Governor and fought the farmers’ battles for agriculture.

John Hammill was endowed with a genial personality and his loyalty to friends knew no bounds. His business integrity was above reproach. In politics, his opinion weighed heavy in the policies of his party. His demise is mourned deeply by a host of friends and compatriots throughout the State.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-seventh General Assembly, That the State has lost a valued and beloved citizen, and the House of Representatives would tender, by this Resolution, its sincere and heartfelt sympathy to his beloved wife in her sorrow,

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be instructed to send an enrolled copy to the wife of the deceased.

OSCAR E. JOHNSON,

MORGAN J. MCENANEY,

MORRIS M. MCNIE,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted, April 19, 1937.