Representative Stanley R. Smith View All Years

STANLEY RULIEF SMITH

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public services of the Honorable Stanley R. Smith, a former member of the General Assembly of Iowa, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Stanley Rulief Smith was the third son of James A. and Mary Alice (Crego) Smith, born at Osage, Iowa, on January 5, 1881. After completing his education at the Osage high school and the Cedar Valley Seminary, he attended Grinnell College during the years 1900-1901, and then for the following two years studied law at Iowa University, and was a· member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.

Upon completion of this work, he entered the services of the James A. Smith Lumber Company, being very active in the establishment of new yards in South Dakota, until 1909, when he purchased a lumber business at Tripoli, Iowa, later on adding a business at Oran, giving these his personal attention until 1919 when he removed to Osage to take the active management of his father’s estate.

His business ability was again recognized when in 1934, after the death of its president, F. W. Annis, he was called to the presidency of the Home Trust and Savings Bank of Osage, and after two years failing health compelled him to relinquish this position to other hands, and he was elected vice president of the bank, a position he held at the time of his death. His business ability, especially along banking lines, has long been recognized and his advice was eagerly sought and will long be cherished and remembered.

His desire to be of service soon gained for him other recognitions. He was chosen to represent Bremer county as State Representative for 1917-1918. After his removal to Osage, he was elected its mayor for the term of 1921-1923, exercising these responsibilities to the entire satisfaction of the communities which he served. He was at one time a member of the Republican State Central Committee for the 4th district and state treasurer for the Republican organization for the years 1932-1936.

On February 14, 1912, he was married to Sadie Marie Messinger at Waverly, and they immediately established a home at Tripoli. Here were born their two daughters, Jean Ellen, now Mrs. Elbert L. Willson of Charles City, Iowa, and Ruth Marie of Osage, Iowa, and here it was that many happy years were spent—happy in the service, not alone in the home life, but in the community life as well.

During his lifetime Mr. Smith took an active interest in the lodge life of the community, being a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, Order of Eastern Star, A.F. & A.M. No. 36; and El Kahir Shrine, Cedar Rapids.

During his youth he attended the Sunday school of the Congregational church and later identified himself with that church and was at all times interested in all its activities.

Mr. Smith passed away, after a very brief illness, on June 9, 1942, leaving to mourn his passing his wife; two daughters, Jean Ellen and Ruth; a granddaughter, Sarah Jean; his mother, Mrs. Mary Alice Smith; his brothers, Fred Crego Smith, and Leland A. Smith of Osage, Lloyd C. Smith of Spirit Lake, Richard G. Smith of Los Angeles, California, and Merrill G. Smith of Charles City; and one sister, Mrs. Robert L. Leach of Chicago, besides a host of other relatives and friends.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fiftieth General Assembly, That in the passing of the Honorable Stanley R. Smith, the state has lost a valued and honored citizen and the family a loving husband and father and the House would tender, by this resolution, its sincere sympathy to the surviving widow, mother and daughters 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 directed to send an enrolled copy to the wife, mother and to each of the two daughters of the deceased.

JOE F. GARDNER,

BREDE WAMSTAD,

ARCH W. MCFARLANE,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted,