Representative William I. Atkinson View All Years

HON. WILLIAM I. ATKINSON

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare memorial resolutions, commemorating the life, character and public service of the Honorable William I. Atkinson, a former member of the General Assembly of Iowa, begs leave to submit the following:

William I. Atkinson was born in Butler county, Iowa, March 17, 1876. He attended country school in Butler county, and was graduated from the Clarksville High School. He attended Upper Iowa University at Fayette for three years, and taught school in the Dakotas. Later he attended the State University of Iowa where he did some special work in history and civil government. He entered the S. U. I. law school, and graduated in 1906. Following his return to Clarksville, he was married to Miss Rachel Patti Maxon, who died in 1909.

Mr. Atkinson was elected as representative from Butler county in 1912 and was re-elected in 1914, when he was chosen Speaker of the House. He was active in the support of the State University of Iowa during his membership in the legislature. During 1914 he was married to Miss Ila Fay Bertram, of Des Moines.

He was an enthusiast along athletic lines, and was a member of the football and baseball squads at both Fayette and Iowa City. He was always interested in clean sports and in the progress of boys and young people. He helped five young men through the State University of Iowa. His business life was spent in lyceum and chautauqua work. He was an officer of the International Chautauqua and Lyceum Association, the members of which have issued a memorial book in honor of him.

Mr. Atkinson died in the University hospital at Iowa City, August 1, 1925, and was buried at Clarksville, August 4, 1925.

In recognition of the value of his service to the state of Iowa and as an expression of our appreciation of his exemplary life and character:

Be It Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the Forty-second General Assembly, that in the passing of the Honorable William I. Atkinson, the state has lost an honored and valuable citizen, a man of high ideals in Christian living and useful citizenship.

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy of the same to Mrs. Atkinson, who now resides at 1624 Penn Ave., Des Moines, Iowa.

R. B. ECKLES,

E. M. LICHTY,

GEO. W. CHRISTOPHEL,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 6, 1927.