Representative George H. Dunkelberg View All Years

HON. GEORGE H. DUNKLEBURG

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to memorialize the life and public services of George H. Dunkleburg, an honored member of this House in the Thirty-seventh General Assembly, and who died at his home near Rockford, Iowa, December twelfth, 1919, beg leave to submit the following report:

George H. Dunkleberg was born in Niagara county, New York, October second, 1853. He was a son of Jeremiah and Matilda Dunkelberg, both natives of Niagara county, New York. He made his home with his parents on a farm in Niagara county, New York, until 1867, when he came to Ogle county, Illinois. His father’s family consisted of twelve children, eight girls and four boys.

George H. Dunkelberg grew up on the old home farm in Illinois. He received a common school education, and later attended high school at Rochelle, Illinois, and also the Rock River Seminary. He began life for himself as a teacher and for a period of five years taught in the public schools of Ogle county, Illinois. Although he was becoming one of the most successful educators of that county, he abandoned the school room for farming.

Mr. Dunkleberg was married in 1882 to Mary E. Hubbard, a daughter of Wm. Hubbard, of Ogle county, Illinois. Soon after he married he moved to Floyd county, Iowa, locating on a two hundred acre farm in section two, Rockford township. He put all the buildings and improvements on the place and was very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, making a specialty of breeding Short Horn cattle. Prospering through industry and good management, he added to his original holdings until at the time of his death he was the owner of five hundred and forty acres of excellent land. Everything about his farm indicated thrift and prosperity and he was generally regarded as one of the leading farmers of northern Iowa.

Mr. Dunkleberg was of a jovial disposition, enjoyed a good story and was full of dry wit and humor. His word was as good as his bond and he enjoyed the confidence and respect of all who knew him.

The following children were born to Mr. Dunkleberg by his first wife: Alta, the wife of David Mitchell, Ray, Arthur, Floyd, Wilbur and Irene. The mother of these children died on February second, 1906. Mr. Dunkleberg subsequently married Minnie Gale, who survives him and at the present time resides on the home farm near Rockford.

Mr. Dunkleberg was a life long republican. For many years he was one of the leaders of his party in Floyd county. At the general election in the fall of 1916 he was elected state representative in the Thirty-seventh General Assembly of Iowa without opposition. During his service in the Legislature he made a commendable record which was in every way satisfactory to his constituents and all concerned.

Fraternally, Mr. Dunkleberg belonged to the Masonic Order, including the Consistory and the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order United Workmen. He belonged to the Methodist church, in which he held the office of trustee. He was a well informed man, having been a wide miscellaneous reader, and keeping abreast of the times on current matters. He was public spirited and always took a deep interest in movements looking to the betterment of his township, county and state.

In the death of Mr. Dunkleberg, the state of Iowa has lost a loyal patriotic citizen, and a faithful and efficient servant.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That this memorial be spread on the House journal and an engrossed copy be sent to the family of the deceased.

J. S. GARBER,

JAS. S. FRANCIS,

CHAS. GILMORE,

Committee.

Adopted March 23, 1921.