Representative Ira Jay Swain View All Years

HON. IRA JOY SWAIN

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorating the life, character and public service of the Honorable Ira Joy Swain of Mills county, Iowa, begs leave to submit the following report:

Honorable Ira Joy Swain was born in Windsor, Dane county, Wisconsin, on the eighth day of March, 1849, and died at his home, near Malvern, Iowa, on the second day of December, 1924.

He received his early education in the public schools in and near Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and, after completing his studies in high school, he was enrolled as a student at Wayland University from 1863 until 1867. In the late fall of 1867, he moved to Boone County, Iowa, and taught in the public schools of that county. In May, 1870, he moved to Malvern, and for some years was employed as bookkeeper and salesman. Later he engaged in the hardware and implement business in Malvern, and continued in this line until 1888, when he engaged in farming and located on the farm which he occupied at the time of his death.

On the 23d day of December, 1875, he was married to Hannah A. Summers, who survives him. To this union were born six sons.

Ira Joy Swain was for more than half a century one of the most active pioneer settlers in building up this community to its present high standard, in Mills county. For more than thirty years, he was secretary of the Mills County Fair Association and for a number of years he was assistant secretary of the State Fair, and represented Mills county in the Thirty-sixth General Assembly. He was an active member of the Methodist church and a Republican in politics.

Mr. Swain was noble in character, honest in business, generous to the needy, loyal in friendships and leaves a clean record.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives takes this occasion to express its appreciation of his character and public service, and at this time extend to his surviving family its sincere sympathy in their sorrow, and

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 family of the deceased.

ROY HANEY,

C. C. ANDERSON,

E. P. LAUGHLIN,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 6, 1927.