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Permanent LinkSenator Charles C. Laffer View All Years
CHARLES C. LAFFER was born on a farm near Sigourney, Iowa, November 1, 1870, and died in Des Moines June 2, 1935. Burial was at Sigourney. His parents were Henry and Georgiana Crist Laffer. His education was acquired in public schools of Keokuk County. In 1889 he left the farm and entered a harness shop in Sigourney where he learned the harness making trade. A few years later he went into business for himself in Sigourney with a harness store of his own. His first public position was that of city clerk. His interest in people, his social nature and ability to make and hold friends, and interest in public matters naturally led him into politics. He became deputy sheriff of Keokuk County during the service of Sheriff James H. Barlow, 1894 to 1898, and in the fall of 1897 was himself elected sheriff, was reelected two years later, and served from 1898 to 1902. When sworn in January 1, 1898, he was but little more than twenty-seven years old, and was said to be the youngest sheriff in the state. On leaving the sheriff’s office in 1902 he re-entered the harness business and later became a director in the First National Bank, and also in the Union Savings Bank, both of Sigourney. In 1914 he was elected senator and served in the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh general assemblies. In 1917 he sold his harness business, for a few years was in the real estate business, but in 1920 became a state automobile inspector, holding that position until 1932.